Goodbye to All That


On Valentine's Day, Mr. Whitey had his life taken away from him.

He was a great pussycat for two decades, and the last surviving link to my past. The last time I wrote about him was somewhere on my old blog, at www.ducksoup.me. As he got older, he was plagued by chronic Tummy Trouble (not the scientific term, obviously, but my brain has gotten even more scattered than normal these past couple of weeks) requiring almost daily medication. I had to work hard to keep him going these last few years.

But sometime between Sunday night and Monday noon, his left eye ruptured. I don't know the cause, but I do know that that eye was irritating him recently, and he might have scratched it. I got him to the vet immediately, but the doctor said that at his age and condition, Whitey would not likely survive the operation. 

Whitey just wanted to get home and sit on his radiator in his favorite window. But the vet put him down right then and there.

Whitey was cheerful, good-natured, and one of the smartest pussycats I've ever known. He was my Best Pal. He was at least nineteen, maybe older -- and I knew in my heart that he would not likely survive the year.

But, damn it, I wanted him to see one last Spring. I wanted him to have the chance to sit in his favorite window and look out on Green Things. No one should have to die in the heartless cold of winter.
It's been two weeks, and I've just been Getting By. Haven't had the heart to do anything in the way of card designs. Mostly, I've been wandering around the house, staring out of windows. It never gets any easier, no matter how many times you live through it. 
Hug your pussyquats often, and tell them you love them. That's what Whitey liked best. 

6 comments


  • Rudy

    Our wonderful cat friend was also named Whitey, and we lost him unexpectedly to a stroke on 4th November 2021. My heart hurts for you.


  • Lori Phillips

    Good Morning Mr. Thornsjo,
    So sorry for your loss. Losing a close family member is awful. Some pussycats are very special. Whitey sounds like one of those extraordinary fursons. My Mortimer (after the character Mortimer Brewster from Arsenic and Old Lace) was, too. True blue.
    I just popped in to see if the new Arcade deck has dropped and see if there was a bruised fruit sale. I also noticed that you had a sale on Etsy that I missed. If you could share some Info about Crooked Way it would be appreciated. From a collector’s point of view, do you think the B. Gate/Moon or G. Red griffins on black? Also, do any of your books go into detail about Crooked Way? I’m a movie buff. Silent films, classic horror, everything from 1939, etc… I didn’t half expect to see Theda Bera amongst the cast. Thank you for any info you might share.
    Best Wishes,
    Lori Phillips


  • Elsa

    Support and healing sent fro. A stranger. Take your time! We will all be here when you’re ready.


  • Lucretia

    I was heartbroken after my baby was hit by a car and killed. It gets a little easier with time. Take care.


  • mark loman

    With you 100% on those words been there myself many times sending kind thoughts .


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