Eulogy
Pequot, July 13, 1992 – June 14, 2006
Today we say farewell to a truly matchless feline. This is Pequot: indomitable, puckish, imperious, tough as nails, with the vocabulary of a sailor, an outsize character, a gentle tongue, and a heart of gold. Pequot raised four Labradors, teaching them manners so they’d hold still while she washed their faces. She fearlessly protected the yard against strange dogs, but hobnobbed with raccoons who came to eat the compost. My brother always suspected she was Godmother of the Woodland Mafia. But she was peerless as an under-the-sheets snuggler.
Pequot came to us as a kitten. The owners of the mama cat had promised us her sister, Haida. But when we saw the saucy misfit of the litter, a stout little cannonball among her lissome siblings, determined to climb the tallest furniture despite her useless left forepaw (see her funny two-toed penguin foot?), we were smitten. We had to take them both home. Sweet sleekit Haida disappeared after a year or so, but gutsy little Pequot endured and grew more and more remarkable. She bossed everybody, especially the older cats, and took delight in leaping out from behind the furniture to surprise them.
Never did a cat exhibit such personality. Pequot could chirp, growl and squeak arpeggios over several octaves just to say hello when you let her in. Then she’d stomp or hop into the kitchen, ever hopeful of finding food in her dish, or maybe canteloupe rinds in the sink. In her younger decade, she was frequently possessed by imps that made her dash about the house and run upside down on the bottom of the sofa and bite anyone who got in her way. But ten minutes later she’d be her affectionate self again. She was patient with everybody. This last of my childhood cats serenely submitted to the role of Baby Jesus in an impromptu and rather irreverent nativity tableau one Christmas. She tolerated many, many silly nicknames – Squeakpot, Piglet, Pipsqueak, Pignut, Saucepot, and plenty more – with dignity. She even let me hoist her down from the loft in a dreadfully precarious elevator my friend Misa and I built from a cardboard box, some twine, and bucket of pebbles until she learned to descend the ladder.
Pequot charmed everyone who ever met her, and she will be sorely missed. If there’s reincarnation, I just hope we’re lucky enough to know her next time around. Until then, peaceful rest and good hunting, little kitty-girl.
Posted: June 14th, 2006 at 3:19 pm
Very sorry to read this! what a gorgeous girl – she sounds like she was a fantastic cat who had a great, fun life.
[Interestingly, I have a tuxedo cat who looks very similar (less white on the face), and her left front paw has claws that don’t retract and are all mangled (they come out of her paw sideways) — so she also has climbing issues (not that you would notice).
Between those two things and your description of Pequot’s character (talkative, fearless, dog-dominating and loving, patient), they sound like long-lost twins. I’m going to be sure to give her an extra scritch today. ]
Posted: June 14th, 2006 at 3:45 pm
Dearest Sarah,
No one could have said it any better. Thank you for your wonderful words, for appreciating her so much, and for being a beloved and sometimes zany (like her) part of Pequot’s life – elevators, baby Jesus, and all.
Remember when Pequot as a kitten was lost and Takla heard her crying and led us through the bushes to the distant tree up which she was stuck? And you scooted up the precarious ladder with a bag to put her into and carry her down? Brave Sarah. Smart Takla. Relieved Peasquat.
So many good memories to treasure; such a terrific little character. Sax pictured her as a Mafia “moggie”; I always thought of her as a little pirate, climbing up on our shoulders as high as possible to look out over the stormy seas in search of ships to raid and loot, spyglass clenched in her little lobster-claw-fist….
Ah, Pequot.
Love you,
Mom
Posted: June 14th, 2006 at 3:59 pm
Sarakins,
So sad that Miss Pequot met her end, although her life was certainly a full one while she lived it! What happened??
Posted: June 14th, 2006 at 4:03 pm
I’m sorry for the loss of your beloved Pequot. I know how much you and your family love your animals.
Posted: June 14th, 2006 at 4:10 pm
Oh no! I’m so sorry that Pequot is no longer with you. She sounds like a truly original and amazing cat and I’m so glad that she lived with a human who understood and appreciated her as well as you did. xoxo.
Posted: June 14th, 2006 at 6:09 pm
I’m so sorry!
Posted: June 14th, 2006 at 8:17 pm
I am sorry, Sarah.
Posted: June 15th, 2006 at 5:24 am
Oh I lost my cat just 3 months ago and it is such a sad time! I have gotten 2 cats to replace her but even though I am crazy about them, it just isn’t the same (even with 2). I love how these family members just fall in and love and entertain us for such a long time and really don’t require much in return. You can’t help but love them and then you just do anything for them anyway so that is all they need! I am sorry for your loss and I love hearing Pequot’s story. She had an amazing life. I love cats and your story made me cry!
Posted: June 15th, 2006 at 5:34 am
I’m so sorry for the loss of such a beautiful friend. Your story about her was so lovely; it’s so obvious how much she was loved.
Posted: June 15th, 2006 at 7:06 am
Sarah, I’m sorry for your loss. Your tribute is lovely.
Posted: June 15th, 2006 at 9:31 am
I’ve often wondered why cats and dogs weren’t given the life span of humans. We learn so much from them, in their quiet and wise ways.
Saying good-bye is hard, although I’m sure this is more of a “see you later”.
Posted: June 15th, 2006 at 9:54 am
what a beautiful, beautiful tribute. i’m so sorry.
Posted: June 15th, 2006 at 8:04 pm
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. You’ve written a wonderful memorial to her. Losing these furry friends of ours can be so hard! That she brought such joy to your life shines through your piece.
Posted: June 15th, 2006 at 8:40 pm
Aw, Sarah, I’m so sorry. Our pets are like family and it’s just as hard to let go. My thoughts are with you.
Posted: June 16th, 2006 at 6:19 am
oh poor kitty 🙁 i’m sorry to hear she’s gone, sarah. hugs!
Posted: June 16th, 2006 at 7:27 am
oh, I am so sorry. Your writing is beautiful… when are you going to write your own book?
Posted: June 19th, 2006 at 10:52 am
I am so sorry to hear about sweet Pequot. But she obviously has a firm place in your memory. And it sound like she had a lovely kitty life.