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Perkins, 1999-2016

This post is entirely personal. If you are only here for art or Mineral King, please return tomorrow.

Perkins was part of our lives for 17 years. In his time with us, he saw 14 other cats come and go. He survived tomcat attacks, rattlesnake bites and countless coyote and bobcat visits to the yard. He was a master gopher-getter, very accepting of all new cats into his territory, a chirper who didn’t meow much or make a fuss, content with his place on the front porch in summer or by the woodstove in winter, and a couch-destroyer.

We are now catless for the first time since March of 1987. We aren’t interested in getting more cats – we need time to adjust to the emptiness and to figure out the right situation for our 2 household lifestyle. And we need time to replace or recover the couch.

Perk

yellow eyes, pink nose
very tall
Perkins with Jones
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pink toes
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checked tail

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13 Comments

  1. Aww, Jana, so sorry to hear you lost Perkins. We had a dog for 17 years before losing her several years ago and I know it’s hard to say goodbye to long-time pet. Hugs.

    • Thank you, Cheryl. We just got home from a road trip and it is just WRONG to not have Perkins here. I haven’t been catless in almost 30 years.

  2. I’m sorry for your loss.

    • Thank you, Jon. I keep looking for him. . . it is an ingrained habit after 17 years.

  3. I would be honored. Anything to encourage more adoption and less euthanasia I am totally for! <3

  4. Couches are replaceable. Pets aren’t. And WHEN (ahem!) you adopt another cat or 2, train them to use a scratching post. It can be done, especially if started from Day One.

    • That’s the plan, Sharon! I may be asking you for specifics on how to do that.

  5. What a beautiful cat. So sad. Thank you for sharing! I know you must miss him! I had a couch destroyer too, but still miss her!!!

    • Thank you, Katherine. I thought Perkins was sort of common looking at first, but he definitely grew on me over the course of 17 years. He really thrived when all the other cats were gone and he became The King.

  6. So sorry, Botkins.

    • Thank you, Sally. Rough weekend.

  7. I’m so very sorry! I’ve been through this too many times, and it never gets any easier. Perkins was a beautiful cat, and I feel the pain of your loss. He was one very lucky kitty to have you take care of him for so many years!

    I can’t imagine a household without a cat. Maybe some day another fortunate kitty or two will find their fur-ever home. After all, what’s a scratched couch compared to a life saved?

    • Thank you, Sharon. I don’t know if I can imagine it either. And the couch is shredded, not just scratched.

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