In Memory of Aquarius

In Memorium

AQUARIUS

Faithful Companion of Twenty Years

February 5, 1985 – June 3, 2005

At 3:00 pm Friday afternoon, while traveling in our car from the Humane Society in Chicago on route 94 towards the Animal Hospital in Buffalo Grove, our beloved cat Aquarius passed away after a short illness that blocked his lungs. He cried out and convulsed before our eyes, then he collapsed and let his spirit go free.

            He lived twenty years and four months, and was at France’s side for one half her life. He was a centerpiece of our household and cannot be replaced.

            We have been fortunate to have Aquarius for many years, and hope this modest memorium does justice to his memory.

I know there are people who believe mourning the loss of a family pet is foolish sentiment. I also know some will spare no expense to build a monument at a Pet Cemetery. Egyptians interred the mummified remains of their cats in crypts alongside royalty. The pyramid-builders surely knew something of the place of cats in the human psyche.

            Here I want just to share with a few of you who knew Aquarius, or know France and I well enough, to appreciate how deeply France will miss her companion of twenty years. I have also been privileged to know this beautiful animal for more than four years, and to admire his strength, grace and innate generosity.

           An animal will never grow up, get a job or pay the bills. Thank god, they are not big conversationalists. But the gift of friendship with a humble house cat lies in the purity of its unqualified love, devotion and affection; incapable of guile, betrayal or the deceit that compromises the relations of human beings. We have much to emulate in their way of being.

            Most of all, Aquarius was a joy for us both. A strapping big male cat with enormous appetite, rambunctious in his youth and tolerant in old age.  He suffered with charity the indignities of newer house cats and made a lasting friendship with the older female. He greeted us when we returned home and saw us to bed each night.

            His howl at feeding time resounded throughout the house. I will miss that howl for a long time to come.

--From Howard with France

If you want to add a condolence/comment with your name in the form below, we will include it in a framed display of memories of this wonderful friend.

Thanks