Saturday, September 12, 2009

Cat Coverfolk:
On filling the empty spaces with love and kittens





It’s been most of a year since our beloved cat Jacob passed away, and although I still think of him sometimes when I pass the rock where we laid his body to rest, the memory of his heaviness on my shoulders, like the sound of his rattling purr, has lost its weight as it moved from heart to brain.

As I wrote back in September when he first fell ill, Jacob was our first child, the first other life to which I committed myself wholly. To lose him was to lose a part of myself, and in the slow fade that followed, there were times when I cursed the mind’s insistence on moving on, and the tendency to miss the memory more than the animal himself.

That it came among the gradual realization that - barring the everpossible accident - we were done having children made it all the more poignant to adapt to the loss. The causality isn’t clear: was it the loss that let us come to terms with the decision, or the newfound acceptance in the understanding of loss which drove it? But certainly, having our family get smaller in the midst of the nearly unspoken agreement that it would not again get any larger was part and parcel of the emotional journey.

Or so I thought. And yet earlier this week, my wife called me about a stray that her sister might or might not be able to keep. The subject, once raised, was easily addressed; I’m pretty sure I used the phrase “I trust your judgment”, fully knowing that this is one of the true commitments to anything-that-follows of married life.

And then there we were last night, the four of us in the car, driving north to pick up a pair of nine week old fuzzballs who needed a home. The children named them Pippin and Max, and in less than 24 hours, they’ve snuggled into our hearts, becoming part of the family.


Though both are true tiger cats, Max, especially, is like a tiny reincarnation of what once was. His coloring and pattern are identical to Jacob’s; like his namesake and his predecessor alike, he is a wild thing, exploring first, making mischief of one kind or another, leading the wild rumpus across the carpet. He’s an escape artist like Jacob, too, and the louder of the bunch, though he tires easily. More than once, as he melted into the crook of my arm, I remembered Jacob as a tiny thing, scared and looking for a home.

Great loves can never be replaced, be they man, woman, child or beast. But the holes they leave in our hearts are empty rooms to be filled, with warmth and laughter and secret fear, and knowing the shape of those rooms is the only thing that makes it possible to truly love another, wholly and with understanding. I’ve learned, and I believe: Jacob will always be with us, and my family will ever change.

And so these tiny brothers are ours for the duration, fleas and all, come sickness or health, and beautiful, just as they are. Knowing that they, too, cannot be forever makes loving them a bittersweet task, I suppose. But such is love, in its final form. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Welcome home, boys. Hope you like coverfolk.


And, since there aren’t that many truly worthy folk covers of songs with “cat” in the title, here’s Today’s Bonus Coverfolk: a few previously-posted coversongs featuring other members of the feline family, plus an extra-favorite cover tune about a critter who bears the name polecat, but is truly no relation.



Cover Lay Down posts new coverfolk features and song sets Sundays, Wednesdays, and the occasional otherday. Coming this week: new covers from a decidedly more mature set of undiscovered artists. Y’all come back now, y’hear?

Category: Uncategorized

9 Responses to “Cat Coverfolk:
On filling the empty spaces with love and kittens”

  1. Darius
    September 13th, 2009 at 12:48 am

    Wonderful job, as always. If anyone wants the originals of your first two selections, as well as a few other bits of feline goodness, they can check my post entitled Cattitude, at Oliver di Place, (http://oliverdiplace.blogspot.com/2009/08/cattitude.html). Something about great minds applies here, I think.
  2. boyhowdy
    September 13th, 2009 at 1:12 am

    …and I’m glad to see you have the Squeeze tune over there, too, Darius. I was so surprised not to be able to find any covers of “Cool for Cats”!
  3. Maine Character
    September 14th, 2009 at 12:14 am

    Thanks for the honest insight into the loss of a friend.

    While not a cover, my favorite cat song would be “Wop-a-Din-Din” by Red House Painters. You can listen to it here, with the lyrics in the sidebar.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYDxIW-90sk
  4. muruch
    September 14th, 2009 at 12:42 pm

    Congratulations! I think I told you my own cat story back when Jacob died. I think the biggest help in mending from that kind of loss is having new furry creatures to focus on. :)
  5. Michael
    September 21st, 2009 at 11:03 pm

    I have come to your site many times and your selections have always been impressive, inspiring, and always warm the heart. I am a bit embarrassed as I have never left a comment. At times, I have too many windows up at one time or simply allow my A.D.D. to get the best of me. Certainly know that it is not because you are not appreciated. A site such as yours takes time, love, patience, and creative time management. Although I think I am creative enough to start a site, I am not strong enough to maintain it. You have never failed and once again, I appreciate you.

    Although it is the music you post that moves me the most, this post about your dear Jacob broke my heart and made me smile all at once. I am very familiar of that kind of love (for humans and for my furry friends). I have 2 of my own (furry friends) and my world will crumble when they pass. Your entry couldn’t have been more beautiful or more touching. THANK YOU! Yes, for the music and your hard work but THANK YOU for your beautiful stories!
  6. phil
    October 1st, 2009 at 12:04 am

    I lost my sweetheart cat Julianna last December after a fairly long struggle. It is an emptiness that cannot be replaced, you are right, but I’m conflicted about getting another cat, but I think I will eventually.

    Julianna and I were together for 17 years, and although it has been almost a year, I still miss her terrible and cry - as I did when I read this article. I have moments when I think I see or hear her, which is troubling. I don’t think I have really gotten over her loss yet.

    But life must go on.

    Much love
    Phil
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