This week, we finally said goodbye to Zephyr.
Born on August 18th, 2006, he lived for 17 and 1/2 years, a period long enough that it's difficult to imagine our days without him.
For the past two years, he was battling kidney disease, which I've learned is not a battle that cats win.
His life could have been much shorter. When he was seven or eight, he was diagnosed with a thyroid condition that was 100-percent cured with an experimental radiation treatment.
We always felt lucky to have him for as long as we did.
Even if right now it doesn't feel like it was long enough.
Zephyr was a beautiful cat, with plush gray fur and doleful, expressive eyes.
He was the most graceful of our cats, and I often admired his flexibility.
He loved tummy rubs (daily) and salmon treats (reserved for when we cut his nails).
He also loved to sleep pressed up against your chest or your thigh, carefully positioning his body so that he fit like a puzzle piece. I sometimes felt like we shared the same dreams.
He had a bad habit of sampling plants, and by 'sampling' I mean 'munching leaves and throwing up.'
But like all of our cats, Zephyr loved the garden, and more specifically, he loved going back into the house through our basement. It was hard to say why. Sometimes I think it was because he was still looking for Dante, who died five years ago and who also used to like using the basement door.
Zephyr was born on August 18, 2006, which we know because he was born in a rescue shelter.
His shelter name was Boris, but for us he was always Zephyr, which perfectly suited his gentle, impish personality.
For the first twelve years of his life, he and Dante were inseparable.
Dante played the role of the older brother, tolerant but watchful.
But it was more than that, too.
Bonded cats are a mystery that we can observe but never really understand.
For a few years when the internet was still young and fun, Zephyr and Dante were lolcat celebrities on Tumblr.
With Elektra on board, they became something of a band.
Memes were not too sophisticated in 2009-2010.
We spent a lot of time dreaming up new movie scenarios.
Zephyr did not shy away from trenchant political commentary.
And games of irony.
Or television interviews.
There were sporting events.
And candid moments.
And religious services.
And quantum physics.
Zephyr stepped back as a new generation of lolcats took the stage.
Clio also arrived on the scene, which complicated the dynamics of the band.
They had a few hits, but it was never the same without Dante.
And then Elektra was gone, too, which left Clio and Zephyr. They weren't close, but they were always friendly to each other.
Zephyr enjoyed his retirement, even after he became sick.
Zephyr reminded us to take comfort in the small pleasures of life: a nap, a spot of sun, a new flower in spring.
We also went through the pandemic and lockdown together.
Seventeen (and one half) years is a long time, but it seems like yesterday that you were a kitten, hopping across the back of the couch with your claws out, while Dante rolled his eyes.
Whenever the sun sets, we will look for you, glowing in the dimming light.
'Shut your eyes, I'll soon be gone.'
-- Zephyr (2006-2024)
What a beautiful commentary. Zephyr was well loved and will be remembered ❤️💔.
Posted by: Maryellen Kernaghan | 03/15/2024 at 10:22 AM
Such a beautiful tribute to Zephyr. Deepest
sympathy to you both, Matt and Stephen. You
captured Zephyr’s life so perfectly, both in
photos and words. Sending consoling
thoughts and live. Phebe
Posted by: Phebe tanners | 03/15/2024 at 12:02 PM