“Frobie” left this life today at the vet’s. He’d been sick off and on for a while but things got worse over the last few days and was in a lot of pain. The time had come.
Really, The Guardian, newspaper of record…or rather “rekerd”…in Charlottetown, PEI, ought to have a headline in the obits “Islander Dies” tomorrow as Frobie, runt of a litter at the Human Society seven and a half years ago, was one of that small land. We were looking for mousers. After buying our first house in 1999, we came home one day to find a mouse party in the middle of the living room. We needed allies in the animal kingdom and so we took on responsibility for the lives of the last two cats from two litters that were in cages side by side. Frobie proved himself as he grew out of kittenhood as a great set-up man, cornering the mice for his lady friend Beaton who finished them off at her, frankly, cruel leisure.
Years passed and the family grew and PEI was left with cats crammed with everything else into two vans. With the lack of mice and even stairs, came effective retirement and Frobes blossomed as an entirely idle mammal. The purchase of light cat food did nothing for him – though he still ate plenty. He spent his days and nights exploring ways to not have his limbs touch the floor and inventing new aromas. His last moments came swiftly and were spent with those who loved him and/or fed him as well as a really nice vet who helped everyone understand how this was all for the best.
Many met Frobie through these many years and wanted to share their thoughts:
“I first saw him in the cage next to the quite stunningly good looking Beaton and wondered for a moment what kind of thing he was. Sickly and thin, he made his life’s work to attain a stoutness that would amazed. He lived the dream.”
“When we lived in PEI, another kid who was visiting dragged him across the kitchen by the tail. He didn’t scratch or meow. He was the nicest cat, just so laid back.”
“Frobie was a really cute cat and a nice one, too. He was cuddly and snuggly. I hope he has a happy life in kitty heaven. There is a huge building filled with just cats where they get to be friends, eat all the time and no one ever bugs them.”
Please share your thoughts about Frobisher in the comments.
[Original comments…]
portland – March 21, 2007 8:39 PM
we are very sorry. he was a beuatiful cat, beautifully named. our thoughts go out to your family, and to mrs. beaton. we’ll remember him.
Temujin – March 21, 2007 9:04 PM
http://drizwald.blogspot.com
I never met him, but by the looks of things he was quite a special cat. That mischievous glint in his eye says it all.
Condolences.
Gordo – March 21, 2007 10:15 PM
http://blog.cruachan.ca
Having put down our first dog, I know how surprisingly hard the death of a family pet can be. My condolences.
Gorthos – March 21, 2007 11:31 PM
http://www.gorthos.com
I am very sorry for your loss Alan. We are cat folk and I have never been without one. I have always felt a pang of sadness when one, even a less than perfect one, went to meet Crom such as our Zorro did mysteriously one short year ago. I can only assume they will rub noses in Valhalla as all good warriors against the rodent hordes do.
Gorthos
ry – March 22, 2007 6:46 AM
Sorry Al. Being petless the last 8 years I know how much they improve life and how much you miss them when they aren’t there. A moment of silence for Frobie.
Play ball.
Mike – March 22, 2007 8:17 AM
http://www.mikecampbell.net/the_campblog.htm
Sorry to hear the sad news. Sincere condolences. We’re Cat People too and it is true that they do surprise you at how much they become a part of your home and your life.
Don’t wait too long to get another. We put Lori’s cat Minette down 5 years ago and she wasn’t even 10 (kidney failure). I found it hard and I had only known her for 6 months or so. She was completely deaf and easily startled and therefore had a knack for biting me, but that was my fault not hers. That was April 1, 2002. I think Lori would have waited much longer before getting another but as I was somewhat less affected, we brought home our two little hellions on April 18, 2002.
Alan – March 22, 2007 8:41 AM
We are not so much cat people as people who used to have a farmhouse with mice. Beaton is still very much alive and will likely pester me now at 4:45 am nightly.
gr – March 22, 2007 8:54 AM
I am glad we met him and played with him. He had a loud and convincing purr. His lady friend will be quite sad without him. Best wishes.
BAGS – March 22, 2007 9:34 AM
Very sad to hear the news about Frobie, although nice to see some pictures of him at his leisure. As you guys know, Frobie and I had a special bond…surprising, since I’m not known as a cat person. It’s always hard to say good bye to a member of the family. My love to all of you. He couldn’t have had a better home…or better people to share his life with.
Chris Taylor – March 22, 2007 10:39 AM
http://taylor.typepad.com
My sympathies to you and yours on the loss of a beloved pet and family member. Never had the pleasure of meeting him, but that first pic of Frobie speaks volumes — what a marvelous shot.
Alan – March 22, 2007 11:26 AM
It wasn’t hard to take as he spent 89% of his existence laying on the floor.
NYCO – March 23, 2007 2:38 PM
http://www.silent-edge.org/wp
Sorry to hear about Frobie, Alan. I had to put two pets to sleep within the past three months, so I know how strange it is not to have their presence around, even if they didn’t do much but lounge in their later years. Now I’ve got a darling 7-month-old kitten who inserted herself into my life after a mere 30 days of pet-free existence. How does this keep happening?
Martin Frobisher – May 6, 2007 10:24 PM
Hello Alan,
What a lovely little chap.
I am sorry you have lost him. During our 40 years marriage we have had several cats in the family – mostly Siamese but for the last 14 years we have had Sam – a tabby remarkably like your Martin F.
For a long time his companion was a tiny Siamese female called La Pouce (a francophone Siamese I guess). She recently died (of old age). He is very docile and she was a fiery type who kept him in his place.
I came on your site following a random Google for other reasons. The Google excerpt “Frobie left this life today at the vet’s.” shook me a bit – my name is also Martin Frobisher.
Cheers.