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Monday, March 28, 2011

Happiness and Sadness

We got home a few days ago from a wonderful time with Mickey and friends. Spending last week with our grandchildren was so much fun. We had beautiful weather and made wonderful memories. When we arrived back home, we had some sad news. Rodger, our sweet cat had been missing for 5 days. He never strayed from home and after 8 years, I know he didn't just wander off. Not knowing what happened to him may be the hardest part. This is one of my most favorite pictures of Rodger. While making "Blues Crossing" for Kim's book "Scrap-Basket Sensations" I had finished the top and was auditioning border fabrics. No sooner had I propped these up on the end of my bed, Rodger calmly walked over, laid down and went to sleep. Cats seem to have quilt radar :) and Rodger was no exception.
Here he is up in my studio last summer, "helping" me sew as I worked on my Navy quilt. He always loved to be close, not up in your lap, but somewhere close.
This picture of him as "guard cat" that I took last fall as I was leaving for work one morning will always make me smile. There is still a chance that he'll come home, but I'm afraid something has happened to him. With each passing day, our hope fades. Tomorrow will be one week. Our house is quiet and it doesn't seem real that he's not here. I know in the whole scheme of things, this isn't a tragedy. But he still leaves a big hole in our lives.


Thanks for sharing my sadness,

-Karen

26 comments:

Pokey said...

I'm sorry for you, Karen. There is a reason we love our pets, and why those of us who chose to have one (or a bunch!) of them, is the love and companionship they give. I hope he returns, cherish those happy memories.
:-}pokey

Nicole said...

I am so sorry Karen. You never know, Rodger may come back. I had an Airdale named Daniel who went missing a number of times, and we always got him back again. My friend Don had a cat named Gus who was missing over a month, and turned up back at home. I will be hoping the same thing happens with your dear cat.

Darlene said...

I'm glad you had fun with Mickey! I hope Rodger finds his way home soon. (hugs)

pcflamingo said...

Oh, so sad! I hope your beloved furry friend comes home. I inherited a kitty (Tigger) that had been declawed, so he only goes out strapped in a harness and on a leash. The neighbors laugh at me as I walk my cat. I will hold a positive thought for Rodger to return to you safe and sound.

Allyson said...

Karen, I am so sorry Rodger isn't home with you where he belongs. I hope he finds his way home after he's seen the sights.

Gail said...

I really hope he returns. It looks like he is a real part of your family. In the big scheme of things, this is a tragedy, even if he wears the same coat every day of the year and can't speak a word of English.

Carla said...

Oh, Karen. This must be so hard for you! Perhaps he went hunting for you while you were away. I've heard of cats returning after being gone for a long time, so don't give up yet!

Carol said...

I'm so happy you had a wonderful time at Disney...the weather was beautiful! I'm sending tons of good thoughts for Rodger...hope he's just on a wonderful adventure and will come home with lots of good stories.

Becky said...

Karen, I'm so sorry Rodger is missing. I hope he comes back to you soon. It CAN happen, you hear of pets reuniting with their families after a period of time so I'm going to say a little prayer that Rodger finds his way back! We love our pets and I'll be thinking about you.

Terry said...

I'm so sorry Karen! One time our kitty went missing for four days and we were sure we'd never see him again. Then on the fifth day he was back eating his breakfast like he'd never been gone! I sure wish I knew where he was those four days!

Karen said...

Sad news about Rodger. I hope he comes back home.
I bet you are tired after a week at Mickeyland. I would be exhausted after a day. We haven't gone there in many years and it's not that far from home.

Laura said...

Karen, I am so sorry to hear about Rodger. I agree...the not knowing is the hardest part. Cats do have a way of finding their way home, so don't give up hope yet. He may just come back. Loved the pictures you shared. Cats do seem to have a quilt radar, don't they?

Anonymous said...

Karen,
I'm so sorry. Our kitties and doggies are such an important part of our lives and losing them is like losing family because they are family. I will say some prayers that he returns for you, but if he doesn't, I hope you can remember what a wonderful long life he had with you.
Hugs,
LeAnn

Lee Ann L. said...

I hope you find out what happened to Roger. I hate not knowing what happened to one of my pets. I rather know and be at peace. I pray that he comes back.

Vivian said...

Why do we so often follow fun and relaxation with stress and sadness? Nature coming full circle, I suppose. I'm sorry to read about Rodger and hope that he may somehow find his way back to you. The emptiness of a house without a beloved animal friend is something I still remember after experiencing it 10 years.
Keep us posted, please.

QuiltSue said...

I'm glad you had a good time, but so sorry for the sadness you came home to. We did once have a cat that went missing for 6 weeks and one day, when we got home from work, she was sitting on the doorstep just as if she'd enver been away, so he might come back. Fingers crossed.

*karendianne. said...

Oh no! Friend. I'm sorry to read about Roger BUT… cats are known to come home so I will stand over here and pray hard that his heart will guide him home shortly. I miss him already so I'm going to pray really super duper extra hard!!!!

Audra said...

Aunt Karen I am so sorry about sweet Rodger. :( I know there is definitely a hold in the Williamson house right now. I am praying for you and love you so much!

Anonymous said...

I've been missing from blogland to finish a quilt I just posted today. I'm so sorry...I know first hand how you feel this very moment...and you'll keep watching for him for months to come. Been there my friend...heart aching.

Michele said...

So sorry to hear that Rodger is missing. Pets can be such an important part of our families. I hope he finds his way home.

Browndirtcottage said...

So sorry about your kitty...you have some great photos of him!

Caro said...

That's sad. Let's just hope that Rodger comes home.

Debra said...

My sweet sister...I am so glad to have been with your precious family last week. We did make wonderful memories. I too am so sorry about Rodger, and I will miss him greeting me in the driveway. I love you.

Em said...

Karen, my heart breaks for you.I am so sorry. Love to you and wish I could be there to hug you! Love, EM

MamaT said...

Karen, I'm so sorry about your kitty. I know you are really missing him. Have you checked the local vet's offices? One time our dog was missing and someone found him and took him to the vet's office. Still hoping you find him.

Karen said...

Poor sweet Rodger. Don't give up hope, sometimes if they have a bad scare and it happened near home, they will stay away for a long time.