I’ve been putting writing this post for over a week now, but I think it’s time I did so. You may remember our cat of 17 years, Basta. I’ve mentioned him a couple of times and he indirectly features in my author bio as one of the two cats who were fighting with the wee one for my lap.
Basta
I’m afraid that Basta has now crossed over the rainbow bridge, as the strange euphemism goes. After coming back from our holidays, we found him in a weakened state and had to nurse him back to health.
We assumed that Basta was simply feeling the weight of his 17 years and soon seemed to be back to his old (pun intended) self. Unfortunately, a few days later, he suffered a stroke, probably the second one (the first one going unnoticed, as we were away), and was largely unresponsive by the time we took him to the doctor. He passed shortly afterward.
Basta came into our lives on August 2, 2002, the date when we moved into our new house. He jumped into one of the flower pots we were getting ready to carry to the new place and refused to leave, even as we put it into the car. Having no cat at the time, we decided to keep him. At the time, he was a tiny kitten who could fit in my palm.
The size of the screen alone shows you how long ago this was taken (Fall of 2002, to be exact)
Here are a couple some more photos of him:
Basta in his full glory, in our garden
For years, he loved to sleep in that bowl, which Electra had painted. Unsurprisingly enough, he ended up crashing it one day.
Basta is survived by Izzy, the dog, and Perro, our second cat. Sadly enough, Perro (who’s purring on my lap as I type this) is in poor health himself. The sarcoma we had removed four months ago has reappeared on the exact same spot and looks decidedly aggressive: in the last week alone, it has doubled in size. We’re now waiting to operate on him to have it removed–again. It’s anyone’s guess for how long we’ll be able to keep doing this, as he’s not exactly a spring chicken himself.
Which is why I’m leaving you with this meme:
So sorry to about about Basta’s passing. He looks like my Artemis. They say, tuxedo cats are the smartest cats. Writers need cats, and cats like writers:
“The cat has complete emotional honesty – an attribute not often found in humans.”-Ernest Hemingway
Nice quote! Thank you, Gisela 🙂
Beautiful companion, Nicholas – wife & I’ve been blessed to have several over the years. We miss them all but wouldn’t have given up our time with them; it’s obvious it’s the same for ya’ll ❤️
Well said, Felipe! Thank you 🙂
I am so sorry for your loss. xxx
Thank you, Adele! To be honest, we operated on Perro two days ago, so I’m keeping busy with that. Somehow, it makes me forget that Basta’s gone.
Bless you Basta, rest in peace.
Amen 🙂
Sorry for your loss Nicholas 🙁
Thank you, Debbie! Turns out we’ll operate on Perro in a couple of hours, so I’m focusing on that right now.
Hi Nicholas,
Sorry for your loss. My Ragdoll cat will be 15 in Sept. I love the quote, “The only thing our pets do wrong is leave us too soon.”
That’s a great quote! Thank you, Chuck 🙂
I have been away on vacation and did not see your post on Basta. My wish is that my dog Mason would live a human life span, unfortunately he want. I am 80 years young and Mason will be 8 years old on his birthday January 2020. I hope he goes before me as he is an anxious little dog Teddy Bear. When I go away he morns for the time I am gone. My heart aches when I think of living without him. Your Basta is there with you, this I believe. I pray your heart will hurt less in the days to come. E.
Thank you so much for the kind words, Elizabeth!
I am so sorry for your loss, Nicholas. I love the wish in your meme. If only it came true. I hope as the pain subsides the memories of Basta brings you peace.
Thank you, John! To be honest, there’s less pain than I expected, probably because I still have to accept he’s gone. Denial’s a wonderful thing 🙂
But if our pets lived as long as us, who’d look after them when we’re not around?
I’d never intended to get another puppy. But not ready to give up dogs just yet, the difficulty we’ve had looking for a rescued dog who would be safe around grandchildren has prompted us to take on a pup instead (and all the forgotten joys of house-training!).
There’s still a chance I might outlive her (although our last terrier was only four when she died so, who can know…) But with four kids myself, I’m trusting one of them would be able to take her on if necessary.
I know what you mean. We encountered similar difficulties when getting Izzy. There were times when I despaired we’d find another good match for our family. As for getting older, we’re not yet at that point but I understand your point. It’s not an easy situation for anyone!
Hi Nicholas – sorry to here about your fur baby, Basta. It’s awful when you lose a pet – I know we have two little fur babies buried in out back yard. Just so you know, your little Basta is an exact replica of my daughter’s cat, Zeus. Despite his name he is a big sook and is fond of hiding under our sofa at the sound of lawn-mowers and other assorted sounds. He is particularly fond of soft dressing gowns and snuggles 🙂
Aw, Zeus sounds like such a darling 😀
So sorry about your fur babies. I hope Perro can fight his battle and be victorious.
Just so you know. . .
Basta looks exactly like the cat that hangs around my house and my neighbor’s home. He wears a bell around his neck too, and he has the same eyes and coloring as your guy. All the neighbors fight over the Basta lookalike, who spends his time between three homes. So, I’m telling you this story to let you know that Basta has kinfolk out in the world, and they unselfishly spend their short lives letting us get a taste of unconditional love.
Oh my gosh, Basta did that, too! He’d have some milk at the neighbors every morning, then come to us for breakfast 😀
Nicholas, I am so sorry for your loss. Our grandson lost the cat he’s had for 16 years a few weeks ago. It’s hard to say good-bye to a beloved pet.
Thank you, Michelle! I’m sorry for your grandson’s loss 🙁
Nicholas & family, so sorry for your loss. Basta was a beautiful cat, and lived a long time. It’s sad our furry friends don’t live as long as we want them too. Sorry, too, Perro is in poor health. Sending Hugs to all of you. 🤗 Christine
Thank you, Christine! I worry I’ll do a followup post for Perro before the year’s out. We’ll see.
I’m sorry for your loss Nicholas. Basta looked like a beautiful soul.
In June I said goodbye to one of my two brother cats. He almost became 16 years. I do still have the brother, but he is also getting old with what follows there.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Irene! Basta was a real cat: beautiful soul and mean SOB, all rolled up in one smart package.
So sorry to hear about Basta. Thinking of you and your family.
Thank you, JP 🙂
What a handsome boy he was. I’m very sorry for your loss..they leave such empty spaces & broken hearts. 🙁 If only your wish could come true!
I guess it’s back to rubbing lamps hoping for a genie for me 🙂
Aww, if only it was possible.
Lovely pics, Nicholas. Very nice tribute to Basta. Sorry for your loss.
Thank you, Kevin! Much appreciated 🙂
Why do we become so darned attached to our pets! It is so hard saying goodbyes to them. But, I am reminded of a poem where the pet who is suffering ask its caretaker to be brave and help her over the ‘bridge’ sooner than later. I also found that writing about it is helpful. Sincere condolences to you and your family for your loss.
Thank you! Writing about it did help, even if it was in the context of this blog post 🙂
I’m so sorry, Nicholas. Basta looks like a sweetheart <3
He could be. Or he could be one mean son. Depended on his mood… just as you’d expect from a cat!
So sorry for your loss, Nicholas. It is sad to lose our pets. They are special creatures and we hold memories of them in our hearts and minds for ever.
How true, Luna! Thank you 🙂
Nicholas, So sorry for your loss. Let’s hope the genie changes his or her mind.
Hugs for you and yours.
Thank you, Elle! Hugs!
Very sorry for your loss. I do like your wish though.
Thanks. Let me know if you come across a genie 🙂
Smart Genie and I would give up my other two wishes if that one wish could come true! RIP Basta across the Rainbow Bridge. Sending hugs to you and your family during this time.
That’s so sweet, Pamela! Thank you 🙂
Such a beautiful cat. I’m sorry for your loss.
Thank you, Elizabeth! He was rather fetching 🙂
Aw, I’m so sorry. Basta was a beautiful kitty – such lovely green eyes, and so photogenic.
For a straight-up tomboy, he could be quite regal 🙂
Commiserations Nicholas. It’s always a small hellish loss even when it is at the end of a long life. Best P
Thank you, Phillipa! Well said.