Monday, March 3, 2008

Rest in Peace


Last night Simon was hit by a car. We found him shortly after, his little body still warm. To say that we are heartbroken would be an understatement.
He was one of the most exceptionally sweet creatures I have ever known. He had a way of reaching into your heart and making you laugh. He was a special little guy who let me know long ago that he was put on this earth to spread smiles.
A few years ago I was living in a duplex above Simon with my 15-year-old cat whom I adored. Simon and I never paid that much attention to one another, I'd say hello as I passed him, he'd stare at me blankly, and that would be that.
Then one day my cat passed away. After a few days of sitting on my couch crying I looked up and saw Simon staring at me from my doorstep. He stayed there for two weeks. Every evening when I came home from work, every morning when I opened my door, every night when I locked up to go to bed, the little guy was there. It was as if he was keeping vigil on that door mat, letting me know that everything was going to be alright and that he was there when I was ready for him. That first week he sat in silence, the second week he started bringing me gifts. A bag of tire gauges, part of a sack that had housed cement and, of course, gloves. It didn't take long before he'd worked his way into my heart and, eventually, so did his owner.
We all moved, along with my other half's dog and second cat, into a little house and created a home together. And although Simon was only eight pounds of fur and furry his presence filled this home and spilled over through out the neighborhood. Everyone who knew him loved him, and in the same way that he brought me smiles through that door screen years ago he would do the same with all the visitors who came knocking.
Simon's greatest gifts weren't the panties, rags or stuffed animals he brought home, the most wonderful gift Simon gave was the happiness he spread. He was unlike any other animal I've known.
This morning the skies are stormy and the rain is coming down in buckets. Pretty appropriate, but no match for the waterworks going on inside my house. Even our dog, who Simon slept with every night on the dog bed, is hanging his head low this morning. And late last night I found him lying on our guest bed, where he is prohibited from sleeping, in between the pillows right where Simon had napped most of yesterday. He never went back to the bed he shared with Simon.
The last time I saw Simon, just and hour before we found him, he and the dog were standing outside together, noses held high, feeling the wind blowing hard as the storm clouds began to roll in. Then Simon took off, tearing across the yard, stopping to roll in some dirt, then running on to his last adventure.

This is his last present, brought in a few nights ago. A suede pot holder.
Thank you all who have followed Simon and his antics through this blog. I'm so happy that I could share part of him with you. And if you've ever looked at this site and smiled and felt a little lighter after reading about his exploits go out and do something today in Simon's memory. Give money to your local animal shelter, adopt and old dog or cat that needs a good home, make someone smile who needs it, or just go out and steal a pair of panties.

Goodspeed our little guy. Our little thief. You will so be missed.

65 comments:

Rebecca said...

I'm stunned and saddened. I never knew you or Simon, nor did you know me, but I am devastated by your loss. I have not stopped crying since I read this. There will never be another Simon and that is impossible to fathom at this moment. Why? Why? Why? I cannot imagine your pain. All I can say is Thank You for all the smiles. I checked your blog every morning for the latest Simon capers. He was a one in a million and he will be missed by many more people than you can even know. Perhaps I will post another comment later once I can gather my thoughts. We love you Simon!

-Rebecca Poling
Companions For Life
www.companionsforlife.org

Dena said...

D/J, this is incredibly sad, sad news. You've written a beautiful post to him. You provided him a wonderful home and you enjoyed everything he had to give. And that's what it's all about. It's going to take time for the waterworks to lessen but know you lots and lots of love coming your way. And when you're ready, let's toast your little guy and thank him for lending his spectacular presence. XOXOX

Chris Carson said...

I'm so sorry. Chris

Gemini and Ichiro said...

I am so sorry to hear that.

Cheasty said...

I am so sorry. God bless.

Bron said...

I'm really sorry to hear your news. I only found your blog a few weeks ago but feel like I know you and Simon a little through reading about your adventures together. My heart goes out to you all.

Thank you for allowing me and so many others to share in Simon's unique generosity. We will all miss him.

Trini said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Trini said...

I've been lurking for a while and never left a comment. I am so terribly sad that this will be my first one.
Words cannot express the pain of losing a beloved and unique character.
I am so sorry for your loss.

One Homeless Person said...

I'm so sorry to hear this. Simon sounded so special.
hugs from a fellow cat-lover...
:0(

t. Cooke said...

My name is tony. I've been reading your blog for months. My cat, Bad Kitty, looks like Simon and has similar traits.

It breaks my heart to hear what has happened to your boy, but be proud of the long, exciting life he's had. You gave him a home and freedom. He needed both, as does my cat. He was lucky to have someone like you that understood.

Simon will live on in many of us, even those who didn't know him personally.

Captain Judy said...

a friend of mine introduced me to your blog a month or so ago, and ever since I would check it often (craving the newest Simon story). I love cats and since I've been parted with my own, I feel I've lived vicariously as a cat owner through you and Simon. I'm so sorry to hear the news! Simon was a special little guy, and he will be deeply missed!

leah said...

This is absolutely heart breaking. I wish I could give you a hug.

It was such a delight to read about his amazing adventures and feel the love you gave to him shine through in your posts. Your photographs were so warm and stories so engaging. You and Simon touched many, he will be greatly missed.

Fandango Travelers said...

I am still reeling from your blog and loss. I too checked in regularly for Simon's latest escapade and gift. Cats are such special beings - they seem to come into and out of our lives with their own timing. Words don't seem like much comfort, but knowing how many lives you and Simon have touched might help in some small measure.

Sarah said...

I just stumbled on your Blog from a link on LOTD today. I am very touched by your story and saddened for your loss. I am enjoying reading your past posts but can't help tearing up. Thank you for the delightful stories.

Cary McNeal said...

So sorry for your loss. Simon was the coolest, and I will miss his adventures. You'll be in my thoughts.

Chris Carson said...

http://www.austinhumanesociety.org/

Here is a link to the Austin Humane Society. Anyone can make a donation, online, in Simon's name.

&ru said...

Damn that's sad. Another reason to get rid of cars. Sorry for your family's loss. Damn.

-Andrew

JRSquared said...

Aggieland is a little sadder today. I went to see what the "cat dragged in" today and saw the note of Simon's death. How painful, for me, a stranger. You have so much sympathy from me. I'm so very, very sorry. Thank you for entertaining us with sweet, little Simon.

JRSquared said...

Dear Friend and fellow catlover, I'm heartbroken to read of Simon's death. He was so entertaining and I sent his blog site to many friends. My little cat drags rags and I googled "cat drags rags" and found Simon's spot. My baby (Abigail) pailed in comparison to his finds. I will miss him. Thank you for sharing Simon with us.

Susan Cummings said...

Dang it all.
Your eloquence in telling us about Simon's death and his life is fitting. Simon lives on in all of our hearts because you chose to share him.

May each soul in your household be comforted by the thought that by loving Simon in your own ways, you helped him accomplish his mission here.

peace and blessings,
Susan

Anonymous said...

may you and your family find comfort in everything you gave all of us by sharing simon with us. love and light to all of you and to simon.

Millie said...

What a great story about a terrific cat! I am sorry I did not know Simon, but he sounds like he was one in a million! I am so sorry to hear of his passing. My Mom and I are sending our sincerest sympathies, and I am sending you some purrs.

KC and the Giggleman Kitties said...

We will miss the little guy, reading about his exploits, finding out what he brought back each day.
Our prayers go out to his family for their loss.
ML

Mr. Hendrix said...

aw, we are so sorry to hear about Simon. he was such a dickens and so fun to read about.
you are very much in our prayers. we will make a donation in his name the animal shelter mommy donates to.
you're in our thoughts

The Meezers or Billy said...

oh no. we just read about Simon going to the Rainbow Bridge on the cat blogosphere site. We are so very sorry for your loss. Simon was a wonderful boy. We are so sad. He will be watching over you and waiting for you at the Bridge.

Forty Paws said...

We're so sad to hear of Simon's passing. We had not been here before, but Simon sounds like quite the amazing character. Our hearts go out to you in your pain.

Luf, Us

Zippy, Sadie, Speedy and M'Gee said...

This is so sad. I've been reading about the little thief for a couple months now and, well, I'm in tears right now. We all hope your broken heart will heal a little each time you remember Simon and his antics.

Artsy Catsy said...

Our hearts are just breaking for you. We'd only recently met Simon, but loved reading about his thievery. You've written such a beautiful tribute to him, and the love and happiness you gave to him will be with him forever, as will the joy he gave to you.

Artsy Catsy

Samantha & Mom said...

We are so sorry to hear about your loss! Simon was one of a kind and he will be missed! Our thoughts and purrs are with you during this time.

momsbusy said...

we will be keeping your family in our prayers. your blog showed us that simon was truly a character with a wonderful loving heart.

momsbusy, yuki, kimiko, & kintaro

Anonymous said...

I've just been reading your post (and all your previous posts) and I can't stop crying. What a sweet tribute to an exceptional cat. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family - furry and non furry. I'm so sorry for your loss.
Karen
Grr, Midnight, Cocoa, Rascal & Riley

muffinmidi said...

We were so sorry to hear about Simon. His adventures always kept us laughing.

Leslie said...

I am SO SORRY!
I am a teacher in Australia - 9 and 10 year olds.

We have been following your blog as it was just too wonderful for words.

My class loved reading all your posts. They were enthralled.
Thank you so much for providing wonder and smiles to the 30 children. We have even been doing a weekly writing activity that he was partly the inspiration for.

We send you condolences and wish you well for the future. Hugs from the class in Australia.

Kaz's Cats said...

We're so sorry for your loss. Simon was such a character and he always had such fun adventures. We loved him through reading about him, but our grief pales into insignificance to your pain. Our purrs and thoughts are with you,

Gypsy & Tasha & Kaz (Mum)

ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

I am so sorry to learn about Simon...my deepest purrs....


The way to Cat Heaven is a field of sweet grass
where crickets and butterflies play.

A cat may be late in getting to Heaven . . .
there's so much fun on the way!
But an angel will wait at the yellow front door,
wait til a kitty comes home.

And when she arrives, he'll give her a kiss
and some milk in a bowl all her own.

There are trees in Cat Heaven,
trees made just for cats,
trees growing so green and so high.

But no one gets stuck in a tree anymore --
if a cat wants down, she will fly!

And oh the toys, kitty toys everywhere,
thousands and thousands go by.

There are buttons and baubles and small cotton mice --
there is catnip afloat in the sky!

There are angels, of course, with soft angel laps
where kitties can purr loud and strong.

The angels will rub kitties' noses and ears
and sing them a Cat Heaven song.

And when cats are hungry, there's God's kitchen counter
all covered with white kitty dishes,
full of tuna and salmon and mounds of sardines,
and wonderful little pink fishes.

The cats in Cat Heaven are so loved and spoiled
God lets them all lie on his bed . . .
He walks in His garden with a good black book
and a kitty asleep on His head.

Then when a cat needs, she may just simply ponder
and watch the blue world deep and wide . . .
She will watch the old house
where she once lived and wandered,
and the people who loved her inside.

All cats love Heaven, they know the way there,
they know where the angel cats fly.

They'll run past the stars and the moon and the sun . . .
. . . to curl up with God in the sky.

Abby, Boo, Ping, Jinx and Gracie

Meowers from Missouri said...

oh, woe! we is furry sorry to hear this. may g*d be good to him! we hopes efurrything in kitty heaven is nailed down, or it will soon go missing . . .

blessings on you, furriends.

HRH Yao-Lin said...

Oh I am so sad. I am so so sad for you.

Sorry for your loss. Simon was quite the character. This is too heartbreaking for words.

What a wonderful feline. x

HRH Yao-Lin said...

Oh I am so sad. I am so so sad for you.

Sorry for your loss. Simon was quite the character. This is too heartbreaking for words.

What a wonderful feline. x

Fat Eric said...

We are so sorry to hear about Simon. He was a unique character. Thinking of your family at this sad time.

Angel Junior, Orion and Sammy said...

I didn't know Simon and this is my first visit to your blog. I am sorry it is for such a sad occasion. Sending you a gentle head butt.

Jan Price said...

We never knew Simon. We read about him on cat blogosphere and came by to tell you how sorry we are for your loss.

Jan's Funny Farm

Motor Home Cats said...

We are sooooo sorry to hear about Simon. We loved coming here to read about his latest snatch. He was a special cat, and he will be missed. You wrote a very special tribute to him. We hope you will find some comfort in the upcoming days.

Tiki, Tavi, Cody and Camie (and our mom - Tara)

Unknown said...

Dear Simon! We're leaving a dirty rag and glove outside in your honor, you sweet, funny kitty.

And we're sending good wishes to your mom and dad during this sad time.

--Love, Squishy, Kitty, PeeWee, Ellen, Jeff and Barbara

Victor Tabbycat said...

I'm so, so sorry! Simon was very special.

Nola said...

I'm shocked... I just recently came across your blog, immediately became a fan of Simon, and was looking forward to more stories about him. I'm so sad and sorry for your loss. May his sole rest in peace.

The Taylor CatSSSSS said...

We are so sorry for the loss of your beloved Simon! Your tribute is so moving!

Our thoughts are with you.

C. Perry said...

Oh, D, I got your email while I was in the middle of nowhere last week, and the spotty reception out there wouldn't allow me to open the webpage. All I saw were the words "sad news". I had a dream that night that Simon had passed and I had my arm around you, both of us crying. I got home today to find this grief so, so unfortunately real.

Our hearts deeply go out to you--from me, Chris, Eve and Bingo. We love you and we thank you for sharing Simon with the world. He won't ever be forgotten.

tracey said...

I just found your blog and so I missed Simon's escapades. I have dogs, not cats, but will mourn like a crazy person when they pass. So sorry. Simon was amazing.

Forrest Preece said...

Deborah--sorry that I am just now responding.

I can't begin to fathom how rough you must feel about your loss, though I have lost three dogs in my life and they are all still of my mental landscape.

Their are nights when I wake up and think that my big fluffy Oscar has crawled into bed with me. And I'm not ashamed to say that there are times I allow myself a good cry.

The love those creatures have for us transcends human bounds. I loved Simon, though I never met him.

I'm so sorry.

Now we really do need to have that drink and toast Simon.

Your friend,

Forrest

Unknown said...

a fitting and lovely photo of Simon- bags packed and ready to go, not on his last, but on his next adventure.
See ya on the flip side, Furball, thanks for bringing us such smiles!

Unknown said...

DC- You know I know that I know how you feel (trying to make you smile now). You have done him good and made this crazy world a better place by sharing Simon's antics with us. Thank you for that. I love you and love Simon. Call me anytime you want to talk or cry.
XO,
ES

david bram said...

I am so so sorry to read this.

I would be devastated if I lost one of my cats.

Be strong.

ArtisticInkspirations said...

I'm so sad your little Simon had to leave you... I had a cat who looked very much like your Simon..your story made me cry and miss my Cuddles...that was her name..since she loved to cuddle with everyone. Hope you find a new pet soon..not to take his place, but to sooth the loss. Connie

Ermajean said...

I'm so saddened to hear of Simon's passing. He was responsible for many smiles and much laughter. He'll live on in many hearts, mine included. I'm so very sorry for your loss. ej

snowforest said...

nWe are so so sorry to learn about Simon's loss. We'd been visiting your blog periodically and we just came today to check on Simon's latest fun adventures and found this shocking news. We had never known a cat like Simon - he was a true marvel! It's hard to imagine how could somebody who brought so much joy and happiness to you and so many others just be gone all of a sudden - life is so cruel at times!

We had thought we would enjoy reading about Simon's adventures for many happy years but we are very sad at the moment and very sorry for all of you guys. Sorry we are responding so late to this tragic news. We hope you've recovered somewhat from this tragedy. Sending many healing purrayers to you and may Simon rest in eternal peace across the rainbow bridge.

DavidRayDog said...

I am so very sorry for your family's loss. Simon will always live in our hearts. Thank you for sharing his life and your experiences. <3s

The Lee County Clowder said...

HI. We we decided to check in, see if there was any news, and try to see how you all are doing.

Doing well, or at least better, we hope.

We still think about Simon sometimes.

Travis said...

sorry for your loss. never easy.
i know it isn't comparable but we will all miss Simon.

Unknown said...

Today i bumped with your blog, it called me the attention of a cat that brought home different things, and somehow most of them had the same color on it (red), the gloves, and all silly stuff... i always like to read new blogs from the oldest post to the newest... i´m so sad poor simon has passed away, but i´m sure he´s making God smile bringing him different things in heaven. take care.

Anonymous said...
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seema said...

That is so sad, I can't even imagine it. My prayers are always with Simon. There was someone in Pet Supplies the other day who also had lost his dog and he was so sad.

cath said...

I'm am so terribly sorry and heartbroken for you loss.I only just found this blog.I share your pain ,on thursday I had to put to sleep my beloved tigger who I rescued as a kitten 12 yrs ago,it has been so heartbreaking to lose him and I wish no one else had to feel that pain and loss.you wrote such a wonderful tribute to Simon,through your stories about Simon you have touched many people and brightened their lives and he will be missed very much.sending you and Simon lots of hugs and love.I hope your pain eases and you can cherish the wonderful memories.rest in peace sweet little simon.take care xoxox

Cathy

Sasha Canadian said...

Dear Simon,
Your humans and doggie sibling must miss you so much. We hope you did not suffer. And the humans at our home hope the person who ran over you lives a very long time, in lots of physical pain.

The humans in our Palace love all animals (well, not all human animals LOL).

This is our Mummy speaking now:

I love cats...all cats. My kitties are all rescues. Norman came to me via his veterinarian who would not put down a healthy cat. He is about 14; my boy since 14Jan2006
Felix joined us 01Aug2006. He was found in a dumpster with a sibling when he was a wee kitten. People are not the nicest animal in the Animal Kingdom and humans are not always Humane.
Ebony comes twice daily to dine at his favourite restaurant; our home. I love him and he bows, gives the cat smile & purrs; even lets me pet his head. But...he won't let me pick him up. He's my outdoor sweetie. Last year (2009) Baby-Rascal ran up & ate Ebony's food. Hissyfits, spitting and the whole cat territorial display. Baby-Rascal let me pet him sooo, I pulled him in through the window. He's FIV+ which means he is now our kitty 'cause I don't trust most humans with cats, especially a kitty who needs lots of life-long medical care. Then Rusty came to dine with Ebony. No war; no hissyfits. Figured Rusty was either a intact female or neutered male. He's a guy. Now he lives with a lovely couple who love him as much as I do. Good thing I can visit him...he is such a love.
Eveyone who loves cats & dogs:
Please make sure your pet is Sterilized and Inoculated, and wears ID tag or is micro-chipped.
If you rescue a kitty or puppster, please being to your veterinarian for a check-up and do Sterilization/Inoculation and do your best to find a good home. If you can't find a home, consider the R part of SIR which is Releasing to a colony (mostly cat colonies). Of course the S= sterilization and the I = inoculation.
If you are an animal lover, you will make every effort to have all your felines live as strictly indoor kitties. Life outside is NOT SAFE for cats. Cars, cruel humans, other animals...outside is not a good life for a cat.

Our Mommy blogs here:
http://sashacanadian.blogspot.com/2010/03/blog-post.html

FishCat said...

I've no idea if you even still check in on this blog, but I wanted to let you know there are still people out there just now discovering Simon and his anitcs. I stumbled across Simon's adventures one day, just surfing the net a few years ago. I immediately emailed my mom and sister to let them know about him. We all appreciated his charm. I was so very sad when I got to the last post and found out he was gone. I still can't get through the last post without tearing up and having to look away. Now, I just enjoy going through the older posts, seeing what gifts he brought because he loved you so much. I hope all is well with you and yours and I hope that it's a comfort to you to know some of us still think of Simon.