Today marks nine years since Pablo came to live with me.
On a warm evening in February 2002, I drove around to my friend Heidi's house with a brand new cat carrier in the back seat and a joyous smile on my face. I was picking up Heidi's two-year-old cat, Pablo, who was coming to live with me. For good.
Heidi was soon to move into a new house where cats were not allowed, so she needed to find somewhere for Pablo to live.
I'd known Pablo since he was a kitten; he had a reputation for being wild and untamed, and I'd had many a bite and a scratch from him over the years in my attempts to convince him that I was a friend. Still, I'm not sure that my housemate Rachel and I knew what we were in for when we decided to take joint ownership of Pabs.
Pablo was sunning himself in a chair on the front porch when I arrived at Heidi's. He was most put out when I picked him up and wrestled him into the carrier. He yowled and yowled during the short trip from West Hobart to our sharehouse in Sandy Bay. He peed in the carrier too.
As soon as I let him out of the carrier when he arrived in his new home, Pablo nervously scuttled to the safest place he could find - under the couch in our living room. He stayed there for a number of days, only coming out to nibble on a bit of food and pee in a corner of the dining room. Pablo hadn't exactly taken to being toilet trained in his kittenhood.
I sat patiently next to the couch for those few days, trying to win Pablo's trust and goodwill. Every now and then I slipped my hand under the couch to give Pabs a little pat on the head. It took the best part of a month to convince him that I was on his side (and to toilet train him). But he slowly became more comfortable in our house, and with our housemates. And I knew that I'd won him over one night when we chased each other up and down the hallway. When I moved out of the sharehouse to get married a few months later, it was a given that Pablo was coming with me.
One of my friends who knew Pablo in his kittenhood described him as Byronesque. He may have been mad, bad and dangerous to know, but somewhere inside of Pabs was a shy and nervous kitty who wanted to be loved on his terms. It was my great honour to have been that person for nine years.
Missing you today, my dear friend.
Cheers,
--Kate
34 comments:
Oh Kate, that made me so sad. But it was so good that Pabs was your friend and that you had nearly nine wonderful years with him.
(((hugs)))
Purrs and hugs to you.
What a beautiful gotcha day story; I never knew that was how you gotted Pablo. What a love story.
We send you comforting purrs...we know how much you are missing Pabs....
What a lovely post. Much honour goes to our Pabs (and to our God who brought you both together :)). x
What a beautiful post on such a sad day for you. We are sending you many, many (((hugs))) to help you through this heartbreaking time ...
Purrs and headbutts,
Sabrina, Sam, Simon and Momma Jan
Beautiful story remembering Pablo today...purrs and hugs!
Kate, my thoughts are with you today. Sending you hugs and universal Light, wishing you Peace.
-Kim @ Fuzzy Tales
Our mum got all leaky eyed reading that. He knew that you loved him very much.
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx
Thankyou for sharing Pabs' Gotcha story with us. We thought Daisy's comment about a love story was very apt.
(((hugs)))
Thank you Kate for Pablo's Gotchaversary Story!! It was wonderful! Thank you for sharing! Purrrs and hugs to you today!!
Your TX furiends,
That is a lovely memorial to dear Pabs. (((hugs))) and purrs to you on this sad day.
Thanks for sharing Pablo's Gotcha Day story. All "first" are always so hard. (((Hugs))) and Purrs to you.
The Florida Furkids and Angel Sniffie
It's good to remember our absent friends and recall the many happy memories they left with us...
Many hugs and purrs to you, and to our dear Pabs across The Bridge.
Luf, Us
What a heart warming gotcha story!
Love that comparison to Byron. We will always remember Pabs fondly.
Soft purrs to you....
Our dearest kindest purrs for your dear one of a kind Pablo.
{{{hugs}}}
purrin
xoxoxo
Lovely story. Thank you for taking the time to let Pablo learn to love on his terms. You gave him a wonderful life and he is watching over you now from the Bridge with love.
Cats of Wildcat Woods
We had never heard the story.
We miss him so much.
Love & Purrs,
KC
What a fine nine years of love Mr Pabs got to have with you Kate, and Nick and baby boy.
We know that he was training up so that you when you are ready, you can find yourself a new fur friend.
Big smooches to you all
Julie and Poppy Q
xxxxx
WE are so glad you told us Pablo's story. He sounds like he was quite the cat and all cat. Big hugs to you on this day.
Oh, Kate, we know how you feel. So many of us do because we have lost a piece of our heart too. These special days are so empty without our furries. We send a hug, purrs and tail wags for you.
The mom has tears in her eyes as she is typing for me now. I know how sad you are that Pablo isn't here with you. I am so happy thought that you loved him enough to get through the hard time he had when he first came to live with you. Lots of love between you two grew. Keep him close to you in your heart and thoughts each and every day. Which I know you do.
What a beautiful story. We didn't know it. Pablo picked a wonderful bean to love and trust and you picked a wonderful cat.he was one of a kind.
(((Hugs))) and purrs
Comforting purrrrrsss and gentle headbutttss.
That was a lovely tribute to your sweet Pablo. Sending you gentle purrs...
Thank you for sharing your wonderful Gotcha Day story.
Purring for you today.
Kate,
This is beautiful story of Pab. Thanks for sharing to us. Thanks for let's us to know lovely story how you got him. Pab has a wonderful time with you..No wonder !
Love to hear from you.
and please accept our hugs
xxx
Puddy and Mom Boom
Kate what a nice tribute to your buddy Pabs. Purrs to you.
Oh Kate we are so sad for you. I know how hard it has to be for his gotcha day to be so soon. I know it was that way for me with Floyd and his birthday. It is so wonderful to read about his gotcha day, and we know you miss him so much. We send you tons of comforting purrs and prayres.
lovely story... Pablo was a lucky lucky kitty to have you for a servant.
we know your pain and sorrow, sooooo much. we know it.
bonks and love always
pabs, we misses yoo
RIP Pabs! And big hugs to you Katey Kate. You truly are the best of the best cat mothers!
Sarah x
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