bemol Ardiente — The Rather Earnest Painter

The angels have come to take another angel home. Charlotte, who has been with us since 2006 and whose two beautiful babies we found homes for in Dallas, left us today. In 2006 she was already not young, so eleven years later she was quite an old lady.

Never has there been a more gentle soul. If you sat on the sofa she would come nuzzle your hand with her head until you pet her, but other than that she was never demanding. She couldn't meow very well, so she did most of her communicating with her eyes. Beautiful eyes. Expressive. And, quick to slow-blink at you.

When we had to keep an adopted kitten isolated until she could get her shots, Charlotte came and lay beside her kennel, keeping her company and cleaning her as well as she could. She just took it upon herself to be Mom to this scared orphan, and she continued to be Mom long after the kitten was let loose to roam the house.

Pardon me, would you have any Gravy Catfood?

Throughout the years Charlotte has helped us keep peace in a houseful of cats, and she has helped us entertain our guests. If you were tired of petting her, she was always up for a game of Cribbage.

We adopted Charlotte, along with her companions, when our friend, Richella, was going into the hospital. It's hard to imagine that Richella has been gone eleven years, and it's amazing, really, that some of her kitties have still been with us into 2017. But, it is still a bit of a double whammy to say goodbye to one of Richella's babies.

I'll leave you with this small poem I wrote for Charlotte today. Take time to play with your cats, and if you see Barry, give him a hug.