Pyewacket entered my life in August 1990. At the time, I lived on Mount Washington, over southwest of Pasadena. Pye on my roof While all the other houses were built on pylons and fronted the street, my house was down the hillside of the canyon, 100 steps below the street level (I knew exactly how many steps there were, taking anything to or from the house).
Oh Tom thank you for breaking Pyewacket out of that cage. Some people are so cruel and thankfully there are people like you that care. I’m still grieving over my Little Bear who crossed over about a month ago. He is my avatar picture now to honor him.
I confess that the Friday cat chats are tough on me because we lost our pair last year--brother and sister, pushing age 18. But Deb and I have agreed we will be welcoming some new residents just after the new year (we are in and out of town in the fall and don't want to upend kittens in that way). Here's to Pyewacket!
Excellent story, TC. I'm so glad you rescued her, and she had a wonderful life with you.
I'm getting Facebook memories of the decline that my heart cat (Wonka, a flame point Siamese that had been a feral cat's kitten and rescued by my sister-in-law 20 years ago) began to show.
I have always had cats in my life (except in college, where both attempts at having cats led to near evictions). We got Wonka when my sister-in-law moved to Germany, and her oldest child moved in with us while she started college in Eugene. We kept him when she went up to Ellensburg to finish her engineering degree. He was my buddy. No other words than heart cat really fit.
Ha ha! Same for me- always had cats except for college. I did try once in college and faced eviction for it, so Cleo went to live with my Mom, Dad, sisters and brother. My youngest sister was very close to Cleo.
Stole that from AllyHouse I think. Some seem to have a tighter grip than others, although all have been precious. Had my Moca for less than a year before she was killed by dogs, but she looked at me like I was her savior. That was long ago but I still feel her loss. Maybe because of the horror of her death, but she was a ball of love; how could one not miss that forever. Sort of like Pyewacket…
I'm sorry to hear that, and it's unsurprising she remains in your memory like that. This reminds me of my wild child, Ginger, who never met anyone he didn't like, and thus likely walked right up to the coyote that killed and ate him, saying "Hi!"
All of which is why all my kitties are indoor kitties. It's the only way I can protect them.
Mine too. I can tell that Ginger was loved and is missed. I used to live between two bros, one of which had two dogs. My cats haven’t been out since 2012 when we moved there. Sad to say, bros current dog killed my sister-in-laws cat last week. Other bro got his handy gun and killed the dog. Front and center horror tale of guns everywhere, and animals running loose. So much hurt and precious little forgiveness.
I get how you feel, I have lost 2 that meant the world to me, I cried for days with their passing, but I know I’ll see them on the other side which won’t be too long now, if you treat them with love the bond is everlasting 🙏
I don't know exactly where you lived when Pyewacket came into your life, but Mt. Washington is actually in northern New Hampshire--a fact that bumper stickers on a lot of cars around here in the Boston area attest to. But aside from that error, this was a lovely story, the sort of story that makes a person feel their own humanity as they feel your love for all the domestic quadrupeds of the feline variety that have been in your life.
To you Tom as rescuer and Pyewacket, who knew where to wander.
I’ve only had one cat 🐈⬛--and yes black--in my life. Her name Deneb after the bright star that was prominent when I found her sitting on a concrete post of the brownstone --NYC upper west side- where I was living. She was tiny, poppy seed size. It turned out she was a Burmese.... and pregnant. She had gasp an abortion. She had a wonderful sense of humor and eerie intelligence, did Yoga with me often surpassing my abilities. When she went over the rainbow bridge, I knew I’d never have another cat. I have Poodles now.
Our family through my Father’s serious cat allergy (not my Mothers though:-) makes this improbable. That’s why I have Poodles. I’m allergic to dog & cat dander-fur. I had Eczema so intensely I couldn’t open my eyes with the rescues I once lived with in NYC. One was a husky the other a sheltie & both lived to be 17.
The allergist wanted me to give Deneb up. Ha. Not a slightest chance ever giving my heart Kitty Deneb away.
Lucky you can control it, Tom. All the lucky cats you’ve given great life to. I never really ‘became acclimated’ to sitting in lukewarm tar baths the suggested treatment in those- thank goodness-bygone days.
I was thinking of lovely children's book about being found and loved forever, with an illustrator rather than photos. There is a lovely story in what you wrote for us.
Not really odd that a black cat should be magical. Great story TC.
Oh Tom thank you for breaking Pyewacket out of that cage. Some people are so cruel and thankfully there are people like you that care. I’m still grieving over my Little Bear who crossed over about a month ago. He is my avatar picture now to honor him.
We lost our Nehkomi 4 years ago and still miss her greatly. Feeling for you❤️
Thank you Tayama 💖
I am so sorry Karen. He was indeed a handsome fella!
Thank you Lynn❤️
I confess that the Friday cat chats are tough on me because we lost our pair last year--brother and sister, pushing age 18. But Deb and I have agreed we will be welcoming some new residents just after the new year (we are in and out of town in the fall and don't want to upend kittens in that way). Here's to Pyewacket!
You gonna be in LA over the holidays this year? We managed to miss last year when I was "house bound".
Yes Michael! As my Mom consoled me years ago after the loss of my 15 year old dog, she said "Now you have room to give another pet your love".
Those memories are killers at times and then? Just make life worthwhile, dont they?
As Robin said - all soggy now - going to bed!
Wonderful love story. Wonderful. I'm all soggy now. 😻💕
Thank you for sharing Pyewacket with us. She was beautiful. I've always loved light-colored, blue-eyed cats. But glossy black cats surely are magical.
Excellent story, TC. I'm so glad you rescued her, and she had a wonderful life with you.
I'm getting Facebook memories of the decline that my heart cat (Wonka, a flame point Siamese that had been a feral cat's kitten and rescued by my sister-in-law 20 years ago) began to show.
I love the term you use... Daisy was my heart cat. Three years gone, and she took a chunk of my heart with her.
I have always had cats in my life (except in college, where both attempts at having cats led to near evictions). We got Wonka when my sister-in-law moved to Germany, and her oldest child moved in with us while she started college in Eugene. We kept him when she went up to Ellensburg to finish her engineering degree. He was my buddy. No other words than heart cat really fit.
Ha ha! Same for me- always had cats except for college. I did try once in college and faced eviction for it, so Cleo went to live with my Mom, Dad, sisters and brother. My youngest sister was very close to Cleo.
My Katy was my heart cat, loved me as I still love her.
"Heart cat" - that's a good term. Hadn't heard it before but it's in the vocabulary now.
Stole that from AllyHouse I think. Some seem to have a tighter grip than others, although all have been precious. Had my Moca for less than a year before she was killed by dogs, but she looked at me like I was her savior. That was long ago but I still feel her loss. Maybe because of the horror of her death, but she was a ball of love; how could one not miss that forever. Sort of like Pyewacket…
I'm sorry to hear that, and it's unsurprising she remains in your memory like that. This reminds me of my wild child, Ginger, who never met anyone he didn't like, and thus likely walked right up to the coyote that killed and ate him, saying "Hi!"
All of which is why all my kitties are indoor kitties. It's the only way I can protect them.
Mine too. I can tell that Ginger was loved and is missed. I used to live between two bros, one of which had two dogs. My cats haven’t been out since 2012 when we moved there. Sad to say, bros current dog killed my sister-in-laws cat last week. Other bro got his handy gun and killed the dog. Front and center horror tale of guns everywhere, and animals running loose. So much hurt and precious little forgiveness.
Too bad someone can't use a gun on the Bros, and Make America Truly Great Again.
I get how you feel, I have lost 2 that meant the world to me, I cried for days with their passing, but I know I’ll see them on the other side which won’t be too long now, if you treat them with love the bond is everlasting 🙏
Thanks for introducing us to Pyewacket. I love anything cat and wolf.
Especially wolf, my granddaughter's spirit animal.
Beautiful Pyewacket with a perfect name. Thank you, Tom.
I don't know exactly where you lived when Pyewacket came into your life, but Mt. Washington is actually in northern New Hampshire--a fact that bumper stickers on a lot of cars around here in the Boston area attest to. But aside from that error, this was a lovely story, the sort of story that makes a person feel their own humanity as they feel your love for all the domestic quadrupeds of the feline variety that have been in your life.
There's more than one. :-)
It's the same, missing furry friends and those of the kind human kind.
To you Tom as rescuer and Pyewacket, who knew where to wander.
I’ve only had one cat 🐈⬛--and yes black--in my life. Her name Deneb after the bright star that was prominent when I found her sitting on a concrete post of the brownstone --NYC upper west side- where I was living. She was tiny, poppy seed size. It turned out she was a Burmese.... and pregnant. She had gasp an abortion. She had a wonderful sense of humor and eerie intelligence, did Yoga with me often surpassing my abilities. When she went over the rainbow bridge, I knew I’d never have another cat. I have Poodles now.
ever since.
There really is a little guy in the shelter waiting to meet you. They won't fill that hole, they'll make one of their own.
Our family through my Father’s serious cat allergy (not my Mothers though:-) makes this improbable. That’s why I have Poodles. I’m allergic to dog & cat dander-fur. I had Eczema so intensely I couldn’t open my eyes with the rescues I once lived with in NYC. One was a husky the other a sheltie & both lived to be 17.
The allergist wanted me to give Deneb up. Ha. Not a slightest chance ever giving my heart Kitty Deneb away.
I have a minor cat allergy. A small investment in antihistamines keeps me and my little family very happy.
Lucky you can control it, Tom. All the lucky cats you’ve given great life to. I never really ‘became acclimated’ to sitting in lukewarm tar baths the suggested treatment in those- thank goodness-bygone days.
I wouldn't have either!!
Oh, how i love 'experiencing' your loves!! Thank you for sharing. xx's
I always love the kitty series. I can’t decide what cat and what cat story I love more.
Thank you TC for this lovely memory of Pyewacket. I see a children's book.🌈❤️
Most of the photos were taken 20+ years ago - not "publishable quality" today.
I was thinking of lovely children's book about being found and loved forever, with an illustrator rather than photos. There is a lovely story in what you wrote for us.
Ah, that is different.