As many of you know, my much beloved companion cat Chamomile succumbed to cancer this summer. For newer readers she’s the cream and white tuxedo. I’ve been putting off writing her a memorial post because I really didn’t want to say my final goodbyes. I’ve had a lot of cats and dogs in my life and I have loved them all, but some were extra special and Chamomile was one of those> Like Nutmeg and Isabelle and Moonshadow before her, she was MY cat and spent much of her life curled up on or near me as I worked on one book or project after another.
She came into our life because our vet and her techs practically insisted we adopt her both for our benefit and hers. She was a special needs cat, with structural sinus issues that made her a virtual snot fountain who sounded a bit like a sleepy Tasmanian Devil (the Warner Brothers kind) and total hearing loss. She also had bad teeth and a half melted ear. She was also the happiest cat I’ve ever met and she absolutely adored people and being held. She might have needed extra care and cleanup, but the rewards of having her around were amazing and I miss her dearly.
So, without further introduction, allow me to share some of my favorite pictures of a marvelous cat. There are a lot of them, because she was with us for years plus Cat Blogging. These are in loosely chronological order.
This is my very first picture of her in the window of the guest room while she was in kitty quarantine soaking up the sun which she loved.
I love her expression in this one. That’s the look she always got before running around like a squirrel in nut season.
And here she is hanging out on me, which was pretty much her main pastime after sleeping.
Here she is meeting my Isabelle cat who I will also miss forever. The kitty litter buckets are holding a screen door in place so that kitty quarantine cat and the others can get used to each other without being able to reach each other. It’s been a really good way to introduce new cats.
Miss Chamomile hanging out with some friends.
She was an absolute CHAMPION sleeper. Anytime. Anywhere.
Maniac eyes and shoulder cat. A twofer!
Doesn’t that look comfortable?
So many shoulder cat moments!
The face of a cat about to sneeze on you.
Competition sleeping.
I am a total sucker for kitties covering their eyes.
Early detente with Isabelle.
Bad teeth made her a blep queen
Sooooo dedicated to sleep.
Manic activity in 3.2.1…
All the blep!
Those eyes!
Snuggling with Laura and the late and much loved Ms. Ashbless.
This is the morning after we had to put Isabelle down. Things to know. 1) Isabelle loved to curl up in my arms when I was sleeping and did so regularly for 15 years. 2) Chamomile basically never slept in my arms before or after the few days after Isabelle died. I can’t look at this one without tears.
A queen of being comfortable in ridiculous poses and places.
Sleeping champion!
Our cats are not generally allowed outside. But occasional exceptions were made on the caveat that said cat stayed firmly on a lap. She loved to do this.
I really like the composition of this shot. It shows off her coloring so well.
This is from shortly after we lost Ashbless and adopted Bodi.
Chamomile with her favorite toy and exhibiting her unfailing dignity.
Feed me, Thumb-Monkey!
Purring face.
Helping me pick the right card.
Play face.
Dis my box.
Right after we adopted Jeeves and Wooster.
I paused for a moment while toweling off and someone jumped up.
Team sleeping. Also very popular here at Chez McCullough.
With Laura. I just love this.
She and the boys got on great, though her relationship with Bodi was somewhat more strained.
This makes me happy.
Queen of sleep. I love how this looks like an action shot in the midst of a high dive…or maybe that’s just me.
Waiting to ambush Jeeves, I think.
