Sunday 14 August 2016

Farewell Zinc

Last week our dear cat, Zinc, suddenly became weaker and weaker until yesterday she died.  She had been diagnosed with kidney disease a few months ago and once she caught cold, her kidneys just could not cope.  She stopped eating, lost weight, could barely walk or even hold her head up.  She was 15 years old and had been with us for 9 years.  Needless to say, we are very sad and miss her terribly. 

So this post is a self indulgent retrospective, starting with the story of how we got her when she was 6 years old.  (Apologies to those who have heard it before.)  A friend had got her from the lost cats home when she was 2 years old.  She had been looking for a kitten but took Zinc instead.  The staff were delighted because they had been meant to put her down but she had such a lovely nature that they couldn't bear to.  Four years later my friend decided to find a new home for Zinc due to allergies.

I grew up with lots of dogs about us and said I would never live with a cat but E grew up with cats and was keen to have one.  Zinc really was his cat, though Sylvia and I were very fond of her.

She took to our home and soon was up on the fence showing us who was king of the castle!  She loved to sit on this fence and watch us.

She loved us to scratch her chin for her but would scratch it herself on anything she could.  The lamp above was a favourite place for a scratch until she knocked it onto the floor and broke it.  She also loved to scratch her chin against my computer while I was on it and the couch was a favourite place to scratch her claws.

Zinc was a blessing in difficult times.  She had a calming presence and gave us many laughs.

When Sylvia was born, we were concerned about how Zinc would welcome her.  Zinc was curious.  So was Sylvia.  When Sylvia got too close, Zinc would just pat her gently with her paw or walk away. 

As Sylvia grew older, she loved playing with Zinc, though Zinc did not always do as she wanted and at times Sylvia did not want Zinc sleeping in her "house".  Her friends also loved to see her when they visited.

Zinc loved being outdoor.  She would often make a racket (almost as loud as when she used the litter tray) demanding to go outside.  Once out she would often want to in and out constantly, much to our chagrin.  Though she loved to watch for other cats at the back gate and to sleep in the sun at the front.

Unfortunately, being a white cat, she was very sensitive to the sun and had to stay in most of the day during summer to avoid sunburn.  For a time we put suncream on her nose and ears which resulted in black marks where she rubbed herself in the dirt. 

She sometimes came inside looking grey from rolling in the dirt but always washed herself and kept herself clean.

She would not sit on our laps but loved to be picked up and cuddled or just to sit beside us while we went about our business.  She loved to sleep on the bed when we went to sleep, sometimes tapping E's nose to he would lift the covers for her.

Sometimes I would take Sylvia for a walk around the block and Zinc would come part of they way with us.  Or she would wait outside on the footpath for E to get home from work.

She was a creature of habit and often found a spot where she would sleep for weeks on end.  Then suddenly we couldn't find her and would search until we found her new spot.  Her sleeping spots included window sills, beds, couches, blankets, shelves, the pram and even the doll's cot.

As she grew older she grew less active and slept even more.  I love this above photo because it shows just how soft and fluffy she was.  Below is one of the last photos of her wrapped in a blanket.

We feel lucky to have spent 9 years with Zinc.  E thinks we might get another cat some time.  I guess so but right now it is hard to think I could ever meet another cat who has such a lovely and gently nature as Zinc.

18 comments:

  1. I am really so sorry to read of your loss Johanna and to learn of Zinc's passing. You are so right about cats, Zinc being a blessing in difficult times and a calming presence. We are lucky to have them in our lives. xxx

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  2. What a lovely tribute to a beautiful cat. I am so sorry for your loss. Hugs.

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  3. Oh Johanna- I am so sorry- hugs to you all. It is heart-breaking to lose a beloved pet. Zinc was such a beautiful cat and sounds like she has the sweetest personality. -Nupur

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  4. Hug, Johanna. It is so sad to lose a member of the family. What a lovely tribute. It sounds definitely too soon to consider getting another furry friend.

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  5. What a beautiful tribute to Zinc. It looks like she had a lovely life and brought you all lots of joy.

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  6. Hey Jo,
    I'm so sorry to hear that Zinc has passed away. She was such a lovely cat. We're thinking of you all and send you big hugs.
    love Yav Xxx

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  7. I'm so sorry for your loss. These photos show how lovely and wonderful Zinc was, and how lucky you were to have had each other. I'm sure you all miss her terribly -- especially Sylvia, since they were together since she was born. Hugs to all of you, if you'd like them, and thank you for sharing her story and these pictures.

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  8. So sorry that you have lost Zinc. She sounds like she was a wonderful part of your family with a lovely character. Although she will be missed, I am sure that the memories you all have of her will continue to bring you comfort and love. xx

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  9. Those photos are just beautiful, Johanna. We were all very fond of Ms Zinc here at the cattery - she was a gentle, gorgeous, chatty little thing. Always telling us things, kneading her blanket, smooching and - if we got the pats right - drooling with pure bliss.
    You have penned a beautiful tribute for an uncommonly lovely puss.
    Our thoughts are with your family x

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  10. Rest in peace darling Zinc. She was clearly a well loved and loving cat. I like how calm and gentle she was. I had two cats, one very scratchy bitey one and one spirited, sweet cat. They all have such personalities.

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  11. I'm so sorry to hear of Zinc's passing. What a nice tribute to her - I can see how much she was loved.

    I'm sure it's a very hard time for you. Wishing you some comfort in knowing what a lovely life you gave her. (((Hugs)))

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  12. I'm so sorry for your loss.

    I commented to another post of yours saying that I hope she will recover and now I saw that Zinc passed away. I apologize for that.

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  13. I'm really sorry to heR of your loss - this is a lovely tribute to her.

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  14. Sorry for your loss Johanna. A similar thing happened to my cat, it's so sad to see them decline in health. What a lovely tribute though, she was obviously a very well loved cat.

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  15. Thanks everyone for your kind words. We are still missing Zinc but are comforted by those who understand how special she was and that she played a part on this blog!

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  16. I'm a bit late with my comment, but this is a beautiful tribute to an obviously much loved soul

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  17. Johanna, I am so deeply sorry for the loss of Zinc. I have lost beloved pets over the years, but not yet one from my own home as an adult. I can't imagine how hard this must be for you. I love this tribute post to her, it's beautiful, like her spirit. She seems like she was a very sweet cat and so loving. She was lucky to have found a home who take her in as part of their family and you were in turn lucky to have found part of your family. I really enjoyed you sharing her with us in this post. *hugs*

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  18. Oh that is so sad. It's very hard to lose a loved member of the family isn't it? She looks such a sweetie.

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