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Lisa Fraser
lisafraserac@gmail.com
503-440-0400
lisafraserac@gmail.com
503-440-0400
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Bart
On December 4 2007, at the age of 19, our cat Bart left this plane and entered the next. All summer he had been suffering symptoms of heart disease, so this wasn't a surprise. His otherwise healthy body could not conquer this last fight. So with my good friend at my side and Bart's favorite vet leading our mission, we said our good bye. There was so much love and respect for him in that room, it's a moment I'll not soon forget. Afterward Irealized what an honor it was to have been the one who was able to free him from a body that no longer served him.
In ways I never imagined, its been terribly hard. He was my friend, my "guide-in-fur", and my side kick. We ate meals together, lazed in the summer sun, and even gardened. He's been a huge part of my day, everyday.
Bart showed up on our door step in the fall of 1993. He was living across the street in what we endearingly referred to as "the hippie compound." It was full of surfers and dogs. Bart's former mom had moved out and left Bart there temporarily. He decided that living with us looked much better and moved right in. After letting him just hang out with us for about a month, we finally gave in and fed him - which sealed the deal as to where he'd live. I don't think we ever had a choice.
He was a bit feral though after living with dogs for his young years. So we needed to work with him a bit in order to keep him from getting the upper hand in our house. The first few months my husband I and I were covered in scratches from Bart's quick temper. Over the years my husband came to be the "alpha". But I was the "litter mate" and always had a scratch or two for the entire time he lived with us. Whether it was over a chair he wanted or just a chance for a laugh as I walked by. He was ALWAYS swiping at me.
He was a brave fighter and defended us often. We'd cringe as another neighbor raced off to the vet with their injured cat. But he was a terrible hunter. We'd receive "gifts" from him on the door stoop like any other cat. But these birds and mice had obviously been dead for days and were something he came across in the woods.He'd drop them at my husband's feet and look up for his approval. We always thanked him for his gifts.
He'd fight any cat that dared to enter his massive territory. His dear friend Thaddeus, who is a crow I am certain did Bart's bidding from above. Thaddeus would sit on the tree limb outside our front porch and "visit" with Bart. I wasn't privy to these talks but I always kinda thought they had something to do with what stray cat was where.
He had a lot of nicknames. Bart, Barty, Bartman, Kitty-Witty, Witty, Bartsetania, Boy, ...I could go on. But nicknames are an expression of the love we have for another and are rarely clever to anyone but the one who coins them.
Looking back, we've decided that we're very lucky that Bart let us live here with him.
He'll be back. In our last months together he spent a lot of time describing to me the body he wants in his next life. It's not unlike the one he had. He thinks he'll do a quick turn around and return right away. But since there's no time where he is, it will probably be awhile. He has helped me a great deal in my converstations with animals in spirit. It seems he's befriending the animals before I talk with them and as a result I've gotten more details for their humans. I can't say as I'm surprised. Once again Bart is in charge and one step ahead of me.
We're going to go on to do more great things together. And he'll be a part of my day - everyday.
In ways I never imagined, its been terribly hard. He was my friend, my "guide-in-fur", and my side kick. We ate meals together, lazed in the summer sun, and even gardened. He's been a huge part of my day, everyday.
Bart showed up on our door step in the fall of 1993. He was living across the street in what we endearingly referred to as "the hippie compound." It was full of surfers and dogs. Bart's former mom had moved out and left Bart there temporarily. He decided that living with us looked much better and moved right in. After letting him just hang out with us for about a month, we finally gave in and fed him - which sealed the deal as to where he'd live. I don't think we ever had a choice.
He was a bit feral though after living with dogs for his young years. So we needed to work with him a bit in order to keep him from getting the upper hand in our house. The first few months my husband I and I were covered in scratches from Bart's quick temper. Over the years my husband came to be the "alpha". But I was the "litter mate" and always had a scratch or two for the entire time he lived with us. Whether it was over a chair he wanted or just a chance for a laugh as I walked by. He was ALWAYS swiping at me.
He was a brave fighter and defended us often. We'd cringe as another neighbor raced off to the vet with their injured cat. But he was a terrible hunter. We'd receive "gifts" from him on the door stoop like any other cat. But these birds and mice had obviously been dead for days and were something he came across in the woods.He'd drop them at my husband's feet and look up for his approval. We always thanked him for his gifts.
He'd fight any cat that dared to enter his massive territory. His dear friend Thaddeus, who is a crow I am certain did Bart's bidding from above. Thaddeus would sit on the tree limb outside our front porch and "visit" with Bart. I wasn't privy to these talks but I always kinda thought they had something to do with what stray cat was where.
He had a lot of nicknames. Bart, Barty, Bartman, Kitty-Witty, Witty, Bartsetania, Boy, ...I could go on. But nicknames are an expression of the love we have for another and are rarely clever to anyone but the one who coins them.
Looking back, we've decided that we're very lucky that Bart let us live here with him.
He'll be back. In our last months together he spent a lot of time describing to me the body he wants in his next life. It's not unlike the one he had. He thinks he'll do a quick turn around and return right away. But since there's no time where he is, it will probably be awhile. He has helped me a great deal in my converstations with animals in spirit. It seems he's befriending the animals before I talk with them and as a result I've gotten more details for their humans. I can't say as I'm surprised. Once again Bart is in charge and one step ahead of me.
We're going to go on to do more great things together. And he'll be a part of my day - everyday.
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