Comments on: A tale of two kitties

By: Arturo Monsivais

Arturo Monsivais — Thu, 05 Sep 2013 01:27:57 +0000

Beautiful words, Heather. Let’s explore the creek when it gets cooler. The girls have been aching to go down there and we have relatively easy access. Besides, I could use your help carrying the 10 pounds of rocks and fossils they always want to bring up.

By: Jeanne Guy

Jeanne Guy — Mon, 12 Aug 2013 21:26:16 +0000

Why do I feel sad and calm after reading your words? But that was the effect you and your words had on me on 9/11 when, at the Seton Cove, your response to what should we do—what can we do—was, “We need to get quiet. We need to meditate.”

I love you, and your words.

By: sarah foster wetstone

sarah foster wetstone — Mon, 12 Aug 2013 20:37:55 +0000

Heather: Thank you for the thought-provoking and beautiful essay. Thinking of you. Sarah

By: Tom

Tom — Mon, 12 Aug 2013 16:32:45 +0000

I’m very sorry to hear about the loss of your pet. There’s nothing worse than losing a loved companion animal. My family lost several cats to coyotes growing up in west Austin. Hard to blame the coyotes though, as you said.

Your post makes me think about people’s perspectives on predators’ roles in the environment and our need to tame nature by removing organisms we deem dangerous or fear (coyotes, snakes, mountain lions, etc.). It’s important to keep in mind that domestic cats are also predators, but unlike these other predators, they’re non-native and have no place (or shouldn’t, at least) in the environment. It’s estimated that domestic cats kill 1.4–3.7 billion birds and 6.9–20.7 billion mammals annually (not to mention reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates; http://www.nature.com/ncomms/journal/v4/n1/full/ncomms2380.html). Yes, the majority of these predation events are attributable to “unowned” feral cats, but pet cats also take a huge toll.

Keeping cats (and dogs, for that matter) indoors where they belong is better for biodiversity, and prevents the unnecessary loss of loved family pets.

Stepping off my soapbox, I am sorry for your loss.

By: Naomi Nye

Naomi Nye — Sun, 11 Aug 2013 11:15:39 +0000

Heather, you are a genius. It’s a gift to read your words early on a Sunday morning, a sorrowful link to mourn your wonderful cat friends with you (our beloved Bucky McCloud disappeared last November 1 in a downtown San Antonio neighborhood where eagles and foxes have recently been spotted), and to treasure your thoughtful ruminations. I love the quote from another comment mentioning your “dexterity with language”—perfect. Yes. And your dexterity with the layers and turns of living and thinking. You give us all the gift of deeper thinking. Thank you again and again. xoxo

By: Dirk van Allen

Dirk van Allen — Sun, 11 Aug 2013 03:16:20 +0000

Wow indeed !

By: Valerie wenger

Valerie wenger — Sun, 11 Aug 2013 02:36:17 +0000

Wow. Just plain wow.

By: Janis Monger

Janis Monger — Sat, 10 Aug 2013 23:22:09 +0000

I finished this in wonder… at your insight, at your dexterity with language, at the beautiful layering of lessons learned from observing the natural world to add meaning to your life and ours. Losing an animal is hard, seeing the world in all of its complexity is hard—and both the kitties (I remember my own dear tabby Domino who was a consistent comfort through good times and bad) and hard-gained insight into the world are a gift. As are both you and Martin! Thank you for these blogs on Fridays, Saturdays, whatever day they arrive.

By: Janet Zimmerman

Janet Zimmerman — Sat, 10 Aug 2013 20:39:06 +0000

First, let me say that I am very sorry about your precious kitties. The animals who live with us are very important to us and as you related fill our lives in many ways including comforting, protecting, and amazing us. A part of us goes missing when they leave. Then I want to add my voice to Kathryn’s. Thank you for always giving me something on which to reflect—something that helps me look at what I took for truth in a new way. Language is so important and we too often use it glibly, creating a way of seeing that can be very telling but not very helpful. I am deeply moved by your observation that your cancer is a part of you and that while you want to fight the cancer, you cannot “wage war” on yourself. Thank you, dear friend. I wish you a time of goodness and wonder.

By: Kathryn Miller Anderson

Kathryn Miller Anderson — Sat, 10 Aug 2013 19:56:44 +0000

Heather, Do people ever get tired of receiving compliments? Maybe, maybe not. But I cannot help myself from praising your beautiful words and your grace-filled attitude once again. I so admire the way you look at our world—with such humility and appreciation, even when the things you are looking at are difficult and/or sad. Even before you got sick, so many of us looked up to you and Martin, for a variety of reasons. Thank you for continuing to share your view of the world with us all. It is a gift to all of us.