He once had the stealth of youth
hiding in all manner of places
walking down a dark hall
might leave a trace swipe of claw
We had a difference of opinion
I felt it was my own domain
it was I who owned the turf
he glared at me with disdain
His yellow eyes and red brick nose
his white socked feet dancing
he drank with his paws
reclined royalty struck a pose
We did not ever become close
until he became frail and thin
I became his only caretaker
the rapscallion and I friends
© August 2016 Renee Espriu
I didn’t think I would miss him but I do.
Image My Own Photo of Kipling aka Kippy © Renee Espriu
reneejustturtleflight.com 
We had a cat who looked a lot like your Kippy. I cannot now recall how Thomas came to stay, but he grew quite old in the love and presence of my two girls. One day he crossed the highway 1/2 mile out our acreage onto the highway. I would assume he’d done this countless times, for cats do roam. He was struck by a car and, for what I could tell upon finding his body later, died pretty much instantly. I believe it was his design to die this way. Many, many pets later, we still talk about “Tomma-Tomma.” Animals have spirits, and our encounters with them are not diminished by their stature as our “pets.” Love and Aloha, Renee! Sweet post.
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This cat actually was my partner’s cat but as she works still, when he began to grow so very frail, I tended him. In the end he would even let me pick him up and he always came to me if he needed or wanted anything. I do miss his mischievous ways. I sounds as though your girls were attached to your cat as well. Thank You!
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I can picture Kippy as an arrogant young tom, Renee ~ and later, when he had to rely on you for all his needs. The word ‘Rapscallion’ describes him very well! 🙂
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He was indeed. Part of it was he was rescued by my daughter (who could not keep him where she lived) after someone abandoned him where she use to live. He had many bad habits. A ‘street kitty’ so to speak. 🙂
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What a great title and seems a perfect description of your Kippy kitty. I have an elderly tabby who shows little sign of decline. She too has some habits that try our patience. Cats can give us much to write about! Growing up we always had a cat or cats…some sweeter than others, some were rascals. 🙂
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I posted this after we had to take him in to be put to sleep. He was her cat but as she works full time I ended up taking care of him. I do miss him, the Rapscallion. He was 17yrs old. Thanks!
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Aw…poor guy. Was this recent, Renee? Our dear companion, Rumi, passed away about a year and a half ago now…we still miss him too. He was such a large presence in the household.
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I posted this the day after. I had been caring for him for some time (he was Candy’s cat) and he simply was wasting away and we decided it was time. 17 is a good age. The first time in 21yrs I’ve had no cats in the house. Thank You!
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lovel!
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lovely!
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It’s heartbreaking to lose a fur baby, big hugs Renee.
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