tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786565.post4964104512898067662..comments2023-12-17T16:13:06.670-05:00Comments on In a Godward direction: Goodbye, A.V.Tobias Stanislas Haller BSGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08047429477181560685noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786565.post-44011679303901183522012-06-04T17:24:20.281-05:002012-06-04T17:24:20.281-05:00Dear friends,
I need to thank you, too, for the p...Dear friends,<br /><br />I need to thank you, too, for the prayers and condolences you have lavished upon us at our little girl's departure. These have been difficult days, and they continue -- it's surprising how LOUD the silence in the house is, even from one who spent most of her days asleep! Cats are creatures in the moment and when they are present, they draw you to them. We feel the absence of our Empress deeply and we are so grateful for your good wishes.<br /><br />JamesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786565.post-81213141477427009092012-06-04T10:54:35.263-05:002012-06-04T10:54:35.263-05:00Thanks, IT, and Tracie.Thanks, IT, and Tracie.Tobias Stanislas Haller BSGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08047429477181560685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786565.post-32337201576920908782012-06-04T10:29:49.883-05:002012-06-04T10:29:49.883-05:00I'm a bit late to this but I'm so sorry to...I'm a bit late to this but I'm so sorry to hear of her passing. A gentle hug to you...I remember when my Bean passed away, how painful that was...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786565.post-84125150068338788992012-06-03T21:55:42.586-05:002012-06-03T21:55:42.586-05:00What made me REALLY tear up is your comment on ho...What made me REALLY tear up is your comment on how soft she was. our Bubba is also remarkably soft, one can't stop touching him. Cats are such a comfort, aren't they? So stallwart and matter of fact,but there when we need them. And so hard when they have to leave us.... we have such a short time with them. So sorry for your loss!IThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09605163506396013904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786565.post-74171531416678671142012-06-02T08:25:42.411-05:002012-06-02T08:25:42.411-05:00Thanks, Deacon C., and Lionel D. Augusta was a ver...Thanks, Deacon C., and Lionel D. Augusta was a very beautiful cat -- a stray, but taken in as a wounded kitten. She had the softest fur, lacking the guard hairs that are normal, so she was all plush.<br /><br />We've always been a one-cat house, so we are without felines just now. Another may be in our future... after General Convention!Tobias Stanislas Haller BSGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08047429477181560685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786565.post-10853668235620399402012-06-01T19:22:35.085-05:002012-06-01T19:22:35.085-05:00My condolences, Tobias. I had to euthanize my cat ...My condolences, Tobias. I had to euthanize my cat Ezekiel about a month ago. Zeke was diabetic and also succumbed to kidney failure, so I have some idea how you feel.<br /><br />Augusta seems to have been a beautiful cat. Do you have any other cats? I’ve had my Bombay, Eve, for consolation.Lionel Deimelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08363018512775944659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786565.post-80318862558383425062012-06-01T12:30:55.927-05:002012-06-01T12:30:55.927-05:00Having had to do that very deed with four or five ...Having had to do that very deed with four or five cats and at least one dog over the years I know how difficult it is to part with a companion in such a way.<br /><br />Even knowing that they are suffering and that this act will relieve them of that suffering is of little consolation.<br /><br />I am so sorry for your loss.Deacon Charlie Perrinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786565.post-18447223091581746732012-05-31T11:08:32.776-05:002012-05-31T11:08:32.776-05:00Bless you again for the good words. David, she los...Bless you again for the good words. David, she lost weight gradually over the last year, but seemed in relatively good spirits. It was only in the last two weeks that she began to fail visibly, and she was clearly miserable and in pain.<br /><br />Anglocat, thanks.<br /><br />Christopher, a profound observation as I would expect from you. Pro mudis indeed, all drawn to the one lifted up. The whole groaning creation awaits adoption: the cats especially waiting "for the door to be opened..."Tobias Stanislas Haller BSGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08047429477181560685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786565.post-34745293887606409852012-05-31T09:22:12.291-05:002012-05-31T09:22:12.291-05:00Very sorry to hear this news. It is amazing how m...Very sorry to hear this news. It is amazing how much we are shaped by those who allow us to share a household with them :) We become more than we otherwise would be, namely more human.<br /><br />I would only add that I do not think your sentiments to be sentimental. I chose to take a pastoral care class as part of continuing education this semester. My research for the class on the death of animal companions demonstrates how we have perhaps not taken seriously enough the depth and breadth of the Incarnation not just pro me or pro nobis but pro mundis.Christopherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17176482447120453890noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786565.post-29092804397381218492012-05-31T04:58:40.026-05:002012-05-31T04:58:40.026-05:00Oh, Tobias, I am sorry. As a resident of a well-c...Oh, Tobias, I am sorry. As a resident of a well-catted house, I know how much our friends intertwine themselves in our lives, and how it hurts to lose them. Blessings in you, and on the beautiful AV--and I think Lewis has it right here!Anglocathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03218740053628978255noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786565.post-50542488186059323652012-05-30T22:21:52.683-05:002012-05-30T22:21:52.683-05:00I had not been aware that she was doing poorly. I ...I had not been aware that she was doing poorly. I am sorry to hear this news. God bless you both in your loss.Brother Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06333089314994730330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786565.post-20472787536685773582012-05-30T21:06:20.587-05:002012-05-30T21:06:20.587-05:00Sorry. I've lost four cats, two with kidney d...Sorry. I've lost four cats, two with kidney disease - miss them. My hope is that they're all in heaven, just waiting for us.crystalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05681674503952991492noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786565.post-55062500414578411542012-05-30T17:38:51.517-05:002012-05-30T17:38:51.517-05:00Thanks, JCF. Blogger keeps changing their comment ...Thanks, JCF. Blogger keeps changing their comment system, too. Thanks for your kind words.Tobias Stanislas Haller BSGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08047429477181560685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786565.post-16340467208349654622012-05-30T17:29:52.138-05:002012-05-30T17:29:52.138-05:00I posted my condolences yesterday, but maybe it go...I posted my condolences yesterday, but maybe it got lost in word-verification limbo---<br /><br />Oh Tobias, I'm so sorry for your (and James') loss. May Augusta Victoria enjoy her Golden Tail in Catnip Heaven.<br /><br />{{{AV's Pride}}}JCFnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786565.post-25545971094816440712012-05-30T14:05:18.724-05:002012-05-30T14:05:18.724-05:00Thanks again for all your kindness. Erika, Augusta...Thanks again for all your kindness. Erika, Augusta was most amazingly soft -- she had no "guard hairs" in her fur, only the plush undercoat.<br /><br />Which reminds me, Chris, of something you once said years ago about the human relationship with "critters that have fur." Perhaps this link provides us with something from our deep evolutionary past, that we lost when we became, as Desmond Morris said, "The Naked Ape."<br /><br />Thanks again for your thoughts.Tobias Stanislas Haller BSGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08047429477181560685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786565.post-83176086741594900772012-05-30T13:19:46.386-05:002012-05-30T13:19:46.386-05:00I am *so* sorry about AV. It doesn't seem that...I am *so* sorry about AV. It doesn't seem that long ago that she was a kitten bouncing off the walls (literally!) of your room at Graymoor. As you know we just had to have Randy's dog, Fred, euthanized for much the same reason, and it got me to thinking how important our animal friends are. As you know, we've always had dogs at FH, and they've played an essential role in this work. So many of the men who come here have built very high, strong, defensive walls around themselves, but the dogs just ignore them. I remember in particular one example from just a few years ago. One of our residents,a Gulf War vet with bipolar disorder and severe post traumatic stress disorder, hardly ever spoke and his emotional affect was absolutely flat except when he was in a panic. When he and our then new puppy Newman first met, Newman jumped up, put his paws on the man's shoulders and started licking his face. The resident got this big smile on his face and<br />started scratching and petting<br />Newman. In two years of living<br />with him, I had never seen the man smile. It was like the sun breaking through the clouds after years of rain.<br /><br />God rest you and James, and God rest AV.Br. Chrisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786565.post-57889330688124475222012-05-30T13:10:50.691-05:002012-05-30T13:10:50.691-05:00What a beautiful cat and what a beautiful tribute ...What a beautiful cat and what a beautiful tribute to her. And what a very sad time for you! Our thoughts and prayers are with you both.Erika Bakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01812376497361267014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786565.post-40627178850337274352012-05-30T10:15:53.230-05:002012-05-30T10:15:53.230-05:00Augusta Victoria is still there...you just can´t s...Augusta Victoria is still there...you just can´t see her.<br /><br />Love the part about being loved from God above but here too...it´s true.Leonardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16667415590825321701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786565.post-62890007717371730282012-05-30T09:26:36.727-05:002012-05-30T09:26:36.727-05:00Thank you, my friends, for the warm words. It was ...Thank you, my friends, for the warm words. It was hard this morning not seeing that familiar shape, and clear blue eyes. Your words bring comfort, as does hope. Bless you.Tobias Stanislas Haller BSGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08047429477181560685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786565.post-46500733335519973602012-05-30T08:48:05.634-05:002012-05-30T08:48:05.634-05:00Dear Tobias,
Thank you for sharing this. I think I...Dear Tobias,<br />Thank you for sharing this. I think I'm nearing the day when I make this brave and loving choice for my cat, Brando. He's FIV+, and has been in decline over the past month. This week, though, he's bouncing back a bit! I'm already building up the courage to face the day when I have to be his angel of mercy. Peace to you, brother.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09607139004376162759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786565.post-41661273286168320452012-05-29T22:28:59.005-05:002012-05-29T22:28:59.005-05:00I'm so sorry, and share you're grief on a ...I'm so sorry, and share you're grief on a very personal level. I still miss my Miutu.MarkBrunsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16971990948866488080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786565.post-84485735773132225212012-05-29T19:26:11.213-05:002012-05-29T19:26:11.213-05:00Heartbreak is heartbreak: Love is love. Have burie...Heartbreak is heartbreak: Love is love. Have buried 7 feline children of my own. Know they are together with their Creator now and will be waiting for me. Love is Love and nothing can separate us.Vickie Houknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786565.post-54044395380558884252012-05-29T18:10:25.038-05:002012-05-29T18:10:25.038-05:00Such a lovely cat. I would call her a kitty, but I...Such a lovely cat. I would call her a kitty, but I'm sure she was much more regal than that would imply. Condolences. You did the right things for her.susan s.https://www.blogger.com/profile/03679099677585214433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786565.post-74690554088055968192012-05-29T16:06:20.038-05:002012-05-29T16:06:20.038-05:00Tobias, I am so sorry. Augusta Victoria sounds li...Tobias, I am so sorry. Augusta Victoria sounds like my kind of cat, if I could have a cat. I know you both will miss her terribly.<br /><br />Blessings.June Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01723016934182800437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786565.post-80826460448108400052012-05-29T16:05:49.905-05:002012-05-29T16:05:49.905-05:00Tobias, I am so sorry. I know what it is like to l...Tobias, I am so sorry. I know what it is like to lose a beloved fur companion. <br />Peace be with you, Tobias. <br />Bless the memory of your sweet life, A.V.NS+https://www.blogger.com/profile/01851269303952900593noreply@blogger.com