Well, it’s only really sinking in right now. My dear friends, companions and good buddies since I adopted this brother and sister pair back on New Year’s Eve, 1991, have now both gone on to wherever good cats go when they depart this earth. The photograph above captures the beautiful animals who spent such a huge chunk of my life with me. Chaos, the big brother at left, looks oh so regal and protective of his little sister Havoc. I love the way Chaos is crossing his paws so formally, with Havoc nuzzled along side him. This is one of many images which I’ll remember these two by.
We lost Havoc to kidney failure in late 2002, and Chaos to cancer of the bladder today, February 11, 2008 at the ripe old age of 20. We had high hopes that he’d respond to treatment after his diagnosis, but he’d stopped eating, was barely able to hold himself up, had many other very distressing symptoms and was clearly suffering at the hands of this disease.
Back in 1991, I had gone to the Savannah Humane Society seeking one cat, thank you very much, and walked out with this matched pair from the same litter, because Chaos literally stuck his paw out through the cage to get my attention. They were reportedly 3 years old at that point, but behaved like kittens, flying around my apartment on what I called the ‘kitty highway.’ The pair were named ‘Jack and Jill’ – names I wasn’t going to keep. Nor was I concerned about the reason they were given up for adoption – they had ruined the previous adoptive family’s Christmas Tree. Not something you were likely to find in the Trotz household, know what I mean?
These two saw me through thick and thin, and were a strain of continuity I began to miss with Havoc’s passing, and really feel today with Chaos gone. I know people who think cats are aloof and distant, but these two were more like canines than felines – they were the ‘people cats’ to end all people cats. And I miss them more than words can say. Below are some of my favorite pictures of these bestest of buddies. I miss them dearly.
Joey :: Sorry to hear about Choas. Good looking animals.
I’m so sorry to read your sad news. Chaos was a very handsome gentleman, and I remember meeting him not long after you adopted him. As I recall, he and Havoc spent a good 30 minutes totally tearing up your apartment. You have some great photos to remember him by.