RIP Pyewacket
Pyewacket
May 8, 1988 - December 4, 2006
Sometimes we don't realize the value of a pet. No matter the difference between them and a human being they are still a companion and a friend. When they come into your life for any length of time, they become a significant part of it no matter what you believe or how you think.
Pyewacket was born on Mother's Day 1988 in Ft. Myers, FL as part of a small litter born to our older outdoor cat Blacky. I was there shortly after it happened - not long after church. My mother had stayed home that day to play midwife since she had studdied to be a vetrinarian for a time. Two of the kittens instantly stood out to us and clinged to us becoming part of the family. Pyewacket a black long hair with a white bikini named for the black cat in "Bell, Book, and Candle" and her sister Tabatha (Tigger before we were aware of her gender) a long-haired tabby named for the daughter on "Bewitched" were two of the most playful and good natured kittens that ever lived.
Shortly after being weaned, Blacky disappeared with her litter ironically leaving just these two behind. Later the brood would be picked up by the humane society where they would each find good homes. Pyewacket and her sister remained with us living pampered lives for outdoor pets on the pool area. They found much joy spending time with their fellow outdoor mates, Bootsie who now resides in another good home, Debbie who decided to remain behind following a later move, and her two kittens, Blackey II who disappeared and Little Tom who made his home wandering the neighborhood. In 1992 Pyewacket and Tabatha briefly disappeared following Hurricane Andrew. Pywacket returned a few days later and Tabatha returned after several months. Unfortunately, she did not stay around and Pyewacket was the only one to make the move in 1993.
Before we were even settled into the new home, Pyewacket made it very clear that she no longer wished to live outside by climbing the neighbor's house and making an all around nuisance of herself. We brought her in and she quickly made the transition to indoor pet.
From the time she came inside, Pyewacket had to play second fiddle to roomate Jezzibel (Wezum). Quite clearly the beta female she often hid herself away in the closet or preferably under the bed where only her eyeshine would inform you of her presence. For this constant hiding, her silence, and her color she earned the nickname "shaddow." She lived up to it well preferring to habitate places that we didn't and patches of black hair could frequently be found in rooms not inhabited by humans.
In 1998, Jezzibel passed on and Pyewacket became queen of the house but continued to live up to her standards of hiding. Never once did she jump up on the bed or any other furniture. Her residence was moved into more frequented locations to force her to socialize and in her later years she became more outgoing and very vocal. Despite being rather large and having cataracts, Pyewacket was extremely healthy for a cat of her age.
On November 27, 2006 we returned home from a short vacation to discover she had suffered a stroke. Showing no signs of improvement the decision was made to humanely let her pass a week later at the age of 18 more than 100 in equivalent human years. She died in the presence and comfort of the skilled doctors and nurses at Coral Vet Clinic in Ft. Myers. Her remains were cremated and will be ceremoniously entombed at a final resting place. She leaves behind owners Dr. Paul & Patricia Brown, human friends Christopher, Nicholas, Deborah, Mike, and Rick, and playmates Tony (Golden Retriever) and Tiffany (Persian).
Maybe it was the fact that we grew up together or perhaps I feel I wasn't close enough to her. Or perhaps it's just that all pets are special, we love them, and that's why we keep them. Either way, Pyewacket was special to me and I will surely miss her.
May 8, 1988 - December 4, 2006
Sometimes we don't realize the value of a pet. No matter the difference between them and a human being they are still a companion and a friend. When they come into your life for any length of time, they become a significant part of it no matter what you believe or how you think.
Pyewacket was born on Mother's Day 1988 in Ft. Myers, FL as part of a small litter born to our older outdoor cat Blacky. I was there shortly after it happened - not long after church. My mother had stayed home that day to play midwife since she had studdied to be a vetrinarian for a time. Two of the kittens instantly stood out to us and clinged to us becoming part of the family. Pyewacket a black long hair with a white bikini named for the black cat in "Bell, Book, and Candle" and her sister Tabatha (Tigger before we were aware of her gender) a long-haired tabby named for the daughter on "Bewitched" were two of the most playful and good natured kittens that ever lived.
Shortly after being weaned, Blacky disappeared with her litter ironically leaving just these two behind. Later the brood would be picked up by the humane society where they would each find good homes. Pyewacket and her sister remained with us living pampered lives for outdoor pets on the pool area. They found much joy spending time with their fellow outdoor mates, Bootsie who now resides in another good home, Debbie who decided to remain behind following a later move, and her two kittens, Blackey II who disappeared and Little Tom who made his home wandering the neighborhood. In 1992 Pyewacket and Tabatha briefly disappeared following Hurricane Andrew. Pywacket returned a few days later and Tabatha returned after several months. Unfortunately, she did not stay around and Pyewacket was the only one to make the move in 1993.
Before we were even settled into the new home, Pyewacket made it very clear that she no longer wished to live outside by climbing the neighbor's house and making an all around nuisance of herself. We brought her in and she quickly made the transition to indoor pet.
From the time she came inside, Pyewacket had to play second fiddle to roomate Jezzibel (Wezum). Quite clearly the beta female she often hid herself away in the closet or preferably under the bed where only her eyeshine would inform you of her presence. For this constant hiding, her silence, and her color she earned the nickname "shaddow." She lived up to it well preferring to habitate places that we didn't and patches of black hair could frequently be found in rooms not inhabited by humans.
In 1998, Jezzibel passed on and Pyewacket became queen of the house but continued to live up to her standards of hiding. Never once did she jump up on the bed or any other furniture. Her residence was moved into more frequented locations to force her to socialize and in her later years she became more outgoing and very vocal. Despite being rather large and having cataracts, Pyewacket was extremely healthy for a cat of her age.
On November 27, 2006 we returned home from a short vacation to discover she had suffered a stroke. Showing no signs of improvement the decision was made to humanely let her pass a week later at the age of 18 more than 100 in equivalent human years. She died in the presence and comfort of the skilled doctors and nurses at Coral Vet Clinic in Ft. Myers. Her remains were cremated and will be ceremoniously entombed at a final resting place. She leaves behind owners Dr. Paul & Patricia Brown, human friends Christopher, Nicholas, Deborah, Mike, and Rick, and playmates Tony (Golden Retriever) and Tiffany (Persian).
Maybe it was the fact that we grew up together or perhaps I feel I wasn't close enough to her. Or perhaps it's just that all pets are special, we love them, and that's why we keep them. Either way, Pyewacket was special to me and I will surely miss her.