It’s taken me a bit to write this. About a month ago, it became clear that the fourth drug in Marbles treatment rotation wasn’t working anymore. We tried a different drug, but it didn’t work, either. So I made an appointment with a house call vet, and last Saturday morning, my little Marbles died in my lap. I miss her terribly. Tibby’s been looking for her, too, and has rarely let me out of her sight.
We adopted Marbles as a four-month old, from the same shelter Tibby had come from. As we were carrying her out to the car in the little cardboard carrier, she was crying her head off. Dirk and I turned to each other at the same moment and said, “I’m thinking Marbles.” We later decided that Marbles had been crying, “I’ve lost my marbles! I’ve lost my marbles!” and the only part we heard was “Marbles!” At any rate, she got her name faster than any other cat we’ve ever adopted.
When we first got her, she had an upper respiratory tract infection, and was sneezing. Tibby became convinced Marbles was a demon, and wouldn’t stay on the same floor with her. Eventually, though, Tibby accepted Marbles, and they became good friends, especially after Tibby lost her best friend Dante.
Marbles had her own turn with demons when we adopted Kiera. There was no sneezing this time, but Marbles was still convinced Kiera was a devil. Marbles hid in the garage for nearly a month, sneaking in only for food. Finally, she calmed down. They were never really snuggle-buddies (Kiera had adopted Tibby, in the meantime), but there was at least an amiable truce.
When we started hosting house concerts, most people didn’t realize we had a third cat. They met the ultra-outgoing Kiera, and would see Tibby going about her own business. Marbles was super skittish of anything unusual, though, and didn’t let herself be seen. Until, that is, at some point she realized these people who came to visit could pet her. Marbles loved nothing more than to be petted, and she finally decided that it was worth braving strangers to get attention.
Marbles was also very fond of her toys. It wasn’t unusual to hear her singing with her mouth full of toy as she brought us her prize. When our day room was in the basement, her toys would make a daily migration, as she brought them down to us as we were watching TV, and back up to us in the bedroom as we slept at night.
As with most cats, Marbles worshiped the sun. This became especially apparent when I was living in the basement in Colorado, with only the little basement windows to let in the sun. Marbles could be counted on to be in that little sunspot when it came, though, and she’d follow it as it moved across the floor.
I’m glad she got to come her to California before the end. That she was able to enjoy larger patches of sun, and even wander in the back yard, sampling the grass. I wish she was still here. Still coming to snuggle under the covers at night. Still cute-ing at me, asking to be petted. Still basking in the sun with her friend Tibby. But she’s gone now. She will be missed.
Randomness & Life 