I woke up a week ago to a voice mail from my brother, “Shannon, little fluffers (whom he affectionately called, other wise known as Joey) got out last night while the guys were in the hot tub. They went looking for him once they realized he was staying there, but were unable to find him. I’m sorry.” Ryan was a way on a business trip and his other room mate Kelly was to watch after Joey, unfortunately the guys had no idea that he was there and left the door open while Kelly was fast asleep.
Instantly I thought Joey would be ok, certainly he would return. Our flight to Philly, to shoot a wedding the following day wouldn’t leave until 1, so we rushed over to Boulder and began our search. An hour and half later, still no Joey. We had to leave.
I photographed the wedding keeping thoughts of my beloved lost far from my mind, but then the day ended, and the fear that my cat was gone forever began to creep into my mind, coupled with a long day of photographing, I began to sob. My husband asked me if I wanted to fly back to CO early, but I had already booked us tickets to go see Mama Mia on broadway, so I declined.
The next day we took a train into NYC, exhausted from our travels we took a nap and upon waking I called my brother to ask him to put “LOST” signs up. He insisted that it was not worth it, as there are coyotes in his neighborhood and dozens of cats have gone missing in the last two months. I quickly ended the conversation in disbelief and again began to cry. We had reservations in Time Square at Bar American, but I had Wade cancel them. I couldn’t understand why my brother was being so mean….
Fast forward to Monday a.m., we had returned from NYC and I feverishly began making posters to hang around Boulder. I spent most of the afternoon hanging them every where, and notifying all the neighbors that he was missing. That night I received a call that someone saw a Siamese a few blocks from my brother’s house. We went back over to Boulder looking for Joey, still no kitty. We did meet a young girl, whom said she saw a Siamese the day before too. Hope emerged.
The following day I took over some dirty clothes, litter box, cat toy and treats to my brother’s house. Maybe Joey was confused, because he didn’t know where home was located? Again I went out for several hours hanging more posters, calling his name, looking in back yards. It was at this point that I saw more posters up for missing dogs, and two more people who had lost their cats.
I returned to my brother’s house and the truth ensued. “Shanny” he stated “After the guys realized Joey was missing, they went and looked out back for twenty minutes, then Clint went around front. A few blocks from the house he saw a coyote with what looked like to be a small animal in his mouth. He couldn’t confirm or deny that it was Joey, but it was with in the hour of them leaving the door open. He tried to chase after the coyotes to get a better look, but they ran away.” I retorted, “You didn’t tell me that, you just said coyotes were in your neighborhood.”
Why is it that when we loose a pet that it hurts so much? I suppose it’s because they become part of our family. It’s quiet at my home now, no meowing, or racing me up the stairs, no one to lay in my lap or blame for eating the last of the leftovers, no afternoon napping in the sun or kitty to play games with…..no kitty to call Joey. Here were a few photos taken of him in the last year. He was only four.
Joey, you will be dearly missed, my companion, my joy, my friend. We hope to adopt another siamese in your honor, but your memory will never be replaced.
I apologize in advance for any delays that my clients endure, as we recover from our loss. Thank you for your understanding.
