If you’ve ever lived with a pet, or loved a pet, you already know that each one is a unique character, much like humans.
And if you have been owned by a cat, or been a servant/companion to one, you have a bag of stories to share.
Pets usually become beloved family members. You may recall meeting some of ours here.
Our daughter Nikisha and son-in-law Tim have lived with two cats for nearly 18 years. Jerome, aka Jerry, and Simon.
Jerome and Simon have been a beloved part of all our lives — though in recent years, mainly through pictures and phone calls with us, since they now live in the US.
We still have a recorded phone message of Jerome meowing a strong “hello”.
Jerome was, as Tim says, “a big orange cat with a sunny disposition” who met the neighbours and made friends before they did. “He had a knack for knowing when Nikisha and I were feeling down, and would comfort us.”
“When I broke my leg, he would come and sit with me, sometimes on the broken leg, and purr away.”
Jerome was adventurous, outgoing and loved long walks. Days after Tim and Nikisha moved house, he disappeared for several days. We all launched a search, some of us doing so online. My mother-in-law even put Jerome’s name on a prayer list.
It turned out that Jerry was trying to find his way home — to their former place. He was found and returned to the new home, tired and hungry.
Nikisha describes him this way: “An enthusiastic yet curmudgeonly host, he was always in the thick of every social event, though refused to give up his chair to guests as a matter of principle.”
So you can understand that we have all watched with sadness as the cats have aged, and Jerome struck with diabetes and other ailments.
We mourned along with Tim and Nikisha when Jerome died last week. Simon, his brother for almost all his life, was upstairs at the time, and began wailing at that moment.
Nikisha says “It’s amazing how he knew almost immediately that Jerry was gone.”
If you’ve loved a pet, I know you’ll understand. If you haven’t, you may be surprised to learn how profound the loss is. After all, it’s saying goodbye to a beloved member of the family.
Rest peacefully, dear Jerry. Thanks for being in our lives.
Cynthia Reyes 
Oh, this made me so sad. And happy that Jerry had such a good life. Poor Simon! My condolences to the whole family. xo
Thanks, Luanne.
So sorry for our loss, Cynthia… We lost our beautiful Midnight on August 20 and miss her so. So glad she found us twelve years ago. ❤
I can imagine how much you miss her, Bette. I’m sad for your loss too.
Thanks and hugs, my friend… ❤ xx
Pet deaths are so sad.
We accompanied several of our furry family to their last moments. Oh, it is never easy. My condolences to all. Rest comfortably, Jerry.
Thank you, Sharon. You’re right. It is never easy.
Oh, so sorry. Yes, my pets have been part of the family. I know you mourn.
So sorry…the photos are beautiful especially the one cuddling on your broken leg💗.
I remember your caregiving cat article. I’m sorry about Jerry and sorry for Simon. Pets wind their way into our hearts…and stay there.
They do, Lisa. Thank you.
I’ve never owned a pet for long-term, but clearly they bring you and others much joy. This is a lovely tribute to Jerome Cynthia.
Thank you, Brad.
So sorry to hear of your families loss. My prayers are with you.
Beautifully written, bringing tears for your family’s loss, Cynthia, and memories of my cuddly cat, Socks, and my sweet dog, Boo Boo. I still struggle with the idea of getting a new pet because it was so difficult to lose them.
Thanks, Becky. And I hear you. How sad to hear of the loss of Socks and Boo Boo.
It’s been some years, now, but we never really forget, do we?
No. We don’t.
I’m so sorry, Cynthia, I know only too well the pain of losing a pet. Jerome brought so much fun and joy into all of your lives and he clearly had his share of adventures. His was a feline life well-lived I think.
A very fine tribute. My commiserations
I admit I didn’t read this–hate crying and could see where the post was leading. But I’m sorry you lost the dear boy, and glad you had him.
It is always hard. My cat, that I found living off food from a dumpster, lived to be nearly 21. It was my piano tuner that helped me through the lost and convinced me to get another cat. It is good to have a cat in charge again.
I immediately knew where this was going, and I read your piece with tears in my eyes. Yes, we love our fur buddies dearly, and how we mourn when they die. My own beloved Liam died a little year ago, and I miss him still. Sorry for the loss. And it is a loss. A big one.
I am saddened by your family’s loss of Jerome, and especially feel for his brother little Simon. But I know Simon will take comfort from all the love and attention from all of you. The memories of a life shared with this wonderful feline will be with you for a lifetime. He will be with you, always.
Thank you, Lavinia. I hope your feline companions are all well. I know you understand this. Nikisha says Simon has gone into hiding in the bathroom and rarely comes out since Jerome died. We feel so sad for him, poor guy.
So sorry for your loss. A wonderful post. I was moved. –Curt
I missed this on Facebook — Marie-Lynn gave me a heads-up. I’m so sorry to read of Jerome’s passing. I had the pleasure of meeting him and Simon when they were just young’uns and they were, in the manner of almost all cats, perfect. My deepest condolences to all of you.
Oh, I am so sorry for their loss – yours too. I remember when you wrote about his being lost. Your post is a fine tribute to Jerome! I know what it is like to lose a feline friend. Hugs!
Aw, you made me cry. I am such an animal lover I am making food for my greyhounds right now.
So sorry to hear about Jerry, he sounds like a character I would have loved. Our pets are such comforts, the perception of animals and their feelings of loss amaze.I hope Simon and you all feel better soon.
It always leaves a hole in our hearts when our pets die. They are such wonderful companions. Very sad.
I’ve loved many animals and it’s never easy to lose them. You never really “get over it.”
I am so sorry about Jerome’s death and that Simon is taking it so badly. Commiserations and love to you all xx
Thank you, Clare. My best to you and your loved ones.
Thank you, Cynthia xx
Oh I’m so very sorry .. how sad for the family and you, and poor dear Simon. Thinking of you all and sending love.
Thank you, Julie.
A lovely post about your cats, Cynthia. We have two cats and my sisters also all have cats. We are clearly cat people.
Oh I am so sorry. What a lovely recollection of Jerry’s life, and what a sweet cat he was. I would definitely classify myself as a cat person (an animal person, really), and can relate 100%. Poor Simon 😦
Thank you. The poor guy has gone into mourning and is hiding.
Jerome looked like such a sweet cat! Sorry to hear about his death.
Thank you, Jessica!
This is such a lovely tribute to Jerome… Love that name! Sadly we have had to say goodbye to a few cats. The loss can be very deeply rooted.
Jerry looks so sweet and he had such a beautiful life. Always so sad when we lose any fur baby. So sorry for the loss
So tough to lose a beloved pet. Love the photos; good memories!
Oh yes, they’re such faithful friends, Cynthia, such a lovely homage to Jerome. They’re such an important part of our lives and I always pity people who don’t understand or don’t have pets as they make our lives so rich. Good to know that he was loved so dearly and had a good life.
We are anticipating an ending soon than later with our older dog, Bella. She sleeps much of the day, wets her bed occasionally, either does not hear us or ignores us, and at times gets lost in the yard. We will have many good memories when that day comes. – Oscar
I’m so sorry for your loss Cynthia. I have been owned by 5 cats in my life, all with their own wonderful personalities. Jerry looks like he had the eyes of a wise soul.
Oh dear. What a beautiful chap. And poor Simon. I’m so sorry. Losing pets is really hard and has that added frisson that people might think our sadness is a bit out of proportion. Despite loving Harrison dearly, I still really miss Chewie sometimes.
Hugs.
Cheers
MTM
I am truly so sorry for your loss, and Nikisha and Tim, and maybe most of all, Simon, who was his best buddy all day long for years. One can never underestimate the loss of an animal we’ve loved. The purity of their beings, their acceptance and forgiveness of all the nonsense we humans come up with never fails to amaze me. We are so fortunate to be blessed by the love of an animal, as I know you all were/are by Jerry’s. Jeanne
Thank you, Jeanne, for this lovely message. We are indeed fortunate to have their love.
Losing a pet is a hard loss. It leaves such a void in the heart. I am sure Jerry gave as much love as he received.
You’re so right. T. Thank you!
Cynthia, a heartfelt post … in the midst of sadness and loss you paint a vivid and beautiful image of Jerry. He was so full of life, giving so much joy and care to all around him. As I read about Simon mourning the loss of his brother I got goosebumps. So sorry for you all. Xx
Thank you, Annika, for visiting, and for your kind words.
I’m sorry, Cynthia. I’m convinced pets are furry angels. And it’s so sad when one of two buddies passes away and the other is left bereft.
So sorry I missed your loving tribute to Jerome. My condolences to everyone. In the first week of October, my sister’s beloved feline companion of 18 years, Jethro, passed away. There’s a big hole in her heart and her life, and we all feel his absence. My love to Simon and his Humans.
Yes, I can believe the pain your sister feels at Jethro’s loss. Thanks for your compassion.
I totally empathize with the profound sense of loss. I’m still mourning the passing of our dog Henry, and that was five years ago. May we always feel their spirits around us for I believe their energy of love surrounds us always. ❤
Well said, Pam. Thank you.
xo