The naming of cats is a difficult matter... T.S. Eliot
I believe Brushy only had one name though. Brushy.
Brushy showed up as a skinny stray shortly after we moved to Equinox Farm and it took awhile to tame him down. He would sneak up on the porch at night to eat and was hungry enough that he'd let me sit out there as he did, but would growl (as he continued to eat) if I tried to touch him. One night however I decided to try to touch the top of his head instead of his back and as I did, he immediately bumped up into my hand and was completely tame from that very second on.
He went to the vet, passed all his tests and got his shots and 'tutored' and immediately settled in. Three mornings later he brought Claire Bear home. Claire Bear was a tiny kitten and I don't know if she was a relative or not, but regardless, Claire Bear was obviously Brushy's cat. They were inseparable and she got to stay as well.
Claire Bear was somehow named right away. Brushy went for weeks as "kitty". We tried all sorts of names, but nothing stuck. One day I asked him directly, "Hey kitty, what is your name?"
"Brushy."
Clear as day in my head. I told Saint Tim and while he didn't think it so strange that the cat shared his name with me, he agreed it was not a suitable "family use" name. We continued to try other monikers. A few weeks later I again said "Kitty, we really need a name for you."
"Brushy."
Brushy it was.
Brushy would walk anywhere with me. He especially loved to go out to the Frog Pond. That was a trip worthy of all the cats and we enjoyed relaxing out there together on summer evenings listening to the farm put itself to bed. Brushy would sit next to me, Eli would sit off by himself and Claire Bear would entertain us all with her mad hunting skills.
Brushy was also the protector of the family. Shortly after Boo came to live with us, he learned this the hard way. Boo was a cat chaser early on and got in a lot of trouble for it. One day I caught him chasing Eli onto the porch. I ran after him, yelling and hitting him with a dish towel. At my side was Brushy, running on his hind legs hissing and slapping Boo as he made a hasty retreat.
More than anything, Brushy wanted to be a house cat. With the darling Wiwi in the house, this was not just not possible. For the last few weeks though, as Brushy's been ill, we moved him inside, out of the cold. Wiwi did get "paddled" a few times for bad behavior, but Brushy ignored her and enjoyed sitting on the couch in front of the fire. Two nights ago he sat out in the wool house with me and we read a sheep book. He was not much interested though and I knew the end was near.
Brushy was an exceptional cat.
37 comments:
Sorry for the loss of Brushy. Sounds like he was a wonderful cat:)
Awww so sorry :( He sounds like he was a wonderful cat :(
oh Brushy Boy, I hope you and my Chuck are out sunning together.
I just hate losing animals. They are the most wonderful of all living things. They pick us, not we them. And once picked they are there forever. My heart goes out to you, Dear Friend. Animals just don't get to live very long lives, but if they get to live with someone like you, they get to live a very wonderful life.
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/
Brushy was very lucky to have adopted you and Tim. I'm so sorry he's gone. Sweet memories will keep him with you always.
Sorry about Brushy - he was lucky to have adopted you as his family.
You and Brushy found each other...how sweet it is. Sorry for your loss.
I'm so sorry for your loss. He was lucky to have found such a loving home with you. Hugs.
DayPhoto put it very well. We don't have our animal friends very long, but people like you give them a wonderful life while they're with us.
Yes he was. I'm so sorry you've lost him.
Oh man I was hoping to read good news about him, been waiting to see you post about him. I'm so sad that he's left you but oh so glad he found you. Godspeed Brushy.
Molly
So sorry to hear about Brushy. He reminded me of my Liam, who also brought along a little sister kitten when he came to live with me. Isn't that strange? Brushy was a great cat and you gave him a wonderful life.
Exceptional indeed.
Your herd in animal heaven must sit around and remind each other about how great life was while they were here with you.
What a wonderful tribute you wrote to your Brushy.
Perfect. Beautiful.
It's so much harder to read about this after having met the handsome boy. Shedding tears here in Oregon for you and Claire Bear and all the read of us who will miss him from near and far.
Sara,
I am sorry for your loss. As we both know our animals are our friends and often better than some of our family. Brushy as well as the rest of your menagerie are blessed to have the love and support you give each one everyday. You have my deepest sympathy.
Mark
We are so sad. Jeff said he loved photographing Brushy! We have lots of pictures, as do you, I'm sure.
We love all your animals. You make them "humanized" and take on the characteristics of people. When one goes out, another arrives. I'll be waiting to hear who is next to share the "condo".
Blessings for Brushy and comfort to the humans and companions he loved.
-from me and the Feline Crew: Toby McDougal, Joshua, Madame Pomfrey, Emily, Kyoto and Kabuki, Sissy, Beatrice and daughter, Bonnie Lea - who each arrived down the same road Brushy traveled and will join him when each has finished his or her job.
I am sorry for the loss of such a dear beloved member of your farm family. I was fortunate enough to meet Brushy when I visited and he was indeed a very special pet. You are lucky to have found each other and to have had the very special memories you are now left with. Hopefully, with time the present sadness will be tendered by the good times you shared together, the antics with the other cats, and the love you had for each other, and you have photos to prove it.
A beautifully written tribute to a sweet cat. I, too, love reading about your relationship with your animals. Very touching, and I send my sympathy to you and St. Tim.
What a beautiful eulogy to Brushy's bright spirit...I grieve his loss with you. It is a blessing for those animals who get to live with one who sees them for who they are, and loves them so deeply. Brushy chose you and I am sure that he will stay near you and his Claire Bear
Brushy was very beautiful and you've given him a fine goodbye. Here's to all the animals we think we're rescuing, who actually rescue us.
RIP, Brushy.
The best pets are the ones who find us. Casper came to us and a week later brought Jasper. I will be devastated when the time comes for his (their) passing. They are so very precious and dear to us.
What a wonderful portrait you paint of Brushy. Sorry for your loss, but may his grand spirit live on!
R.I.P. Brushy .... Sounds like he was a very loved cat! Sorry for your loss.
So sad to hear of Brushy's passing. He was an awesome cat that we all loved. I know his spirit will live on at Equinox Farm.
Amen.
My condolences to you and your family on the loss of Brushy. I've always been very partial to orange kitties. I firmly believe that our four-legged friends/family will be with us again in Heaven!
June, Shizuku and Earl Grey
Sleep in peace and comfort, Brushy. And give all my animals up there with you my love.
Aw. I am so sorry. He clearly was an original character.
I'm so sorry to here about Brushy. What a beautiful story you told of his life. He sounds like he was a special character. It's so hard to see them die, and for being so small they leave an awfully big empty spot. I had a cat (Chet) who showed up, moved in, made himself to home---decided it was good and then brought his pregnant sister (Dixie) too. Cats are interesting creatures and have deeper bonds than they are given credit for.
Take care of yourself.
Tammy
I am so sorry. Thank you for writing so well about Brushy. Please give my regards to Claire Bear.
Leah
I'm sorry. I lost a cat recently too, he was almost 14 years old.
I think cats are angels that are passing through our lives.
How sad to lose such a good friend. But, so wonderful to have shared time with him before he left.
I'm so sorry. He was such a special character.
Brushy has gone on to the big pile of brush in the sky where all great cats go to hunt in love. Maybe they find a bird or mouse to lick and "love on".
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