7.16.2014

RIP Hutch July 1994 - July 15th 2014

My feline shadow for the past 20 years, Hutch, passed away in my arms last night of old age. He had been with me for just about half my life, and served as a true constant in an ever changing world. No matter where I went, when I came home he would be waiting to say hello.

I hope Hutch is exploring somewhere incredible tonight with Zach and Fivey, surrounded by mountains of turkey breast and rivers of tuna water, and any other food that might drop on the floor of eternity.

Until we meet again, little man.

Thank you to all our friends for the messages and calls, your love has made this transition much easier on our whole family. 

Thank you so much.

20 comments:

  1. So sorry to hear your lost. I just lost my shadow/familiar of almost 14 years 3 months ago. He was a polydactyly jet black cat named Seven. He's been with me for all my major transitions in my life so far. Seven was and alway will be my top cat. I feel your pain.- Simon

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  2. I'm terribly sorry to hear this, Matt. You have my deepest sympathies :(

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  3. That's the thing, isn't it? We have these little shadows and companions, friends without equal, and yet for however long they are with us, we know that their time, compared to ours, is so short. Maybe that's why we can feel so lucky to have them: for what moments they have on this earth, they choose to spend them with us. No doubt Hutch was lucky every day for the past ten years because of you.

    My condolences for your loss, Matt. May the evening bring naught but a gentle sort of peace and healing, and may morning bring tidings for better days ahead.

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  4. To echo what Roy said, it almost feels like we're immortal compared to our feline friends, or more like time passes more slowly for us then it does for them. However much time we have with them, never seems like enough after they're gone.

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  5. I'm sorry you & your family lost a friend. =(

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  6. My condolences for your loss. I bet hutch is cruising the aether, scooping up all the cosmic tuna he can.

    All the best for you and yours.

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  7. Very sorry to hear Matt. Best wishes to you and your family.

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  8. He will always be your friend.

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  9. Oh man, I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm sure he lived a long happy life with your family.

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  10. That sounds like it was a great 20 years :) Handsome lil' guy.

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  11. I'm very sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you and your family.

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  12. RIP Hutch. :( My family has always been "dog people", but living in small NYC apartments working long hours necessitated pets who could be happy living indoors all the time. Our two adopted cats, Vader (4) and Peeves (3), embody everything we loved about dogs - the playfulness, the affection, the joy at seeing us come home each night, the constant mooching for food. :) They sleep on our bed with us every night. They keep a close eye on our toddler and come running and meowing when he's crying. We couldn't ask for more perfect family members, and my heart gets stuck in my throat every time it occurs to me they won't be around forever. Twenty years is a good, long time for a cat to live, and I just hope to have that much time with my guys. I know the pain of their passing will be awful, and I can only wish you peace and the joy of the twenty years of wonderful memories with Hutch.

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    1. Cats can very much be just like dogs in those regards. My parents had a cat named Stymie (after the Lilttle Rascals character) when I was born and she was very protective of me. She'd always follow me around and make sure I was safe. The oldest cat I ever saw was at this adoption center a few towns away from me called "Save-A-Pet". I was 26 at the time and there was this room to the left when you walked in with a sliding glass door. Inside it was a mock-up living room filled with cats so they had time to stretch & jump around during the day. While I was walking in there was this one 1 cat sitting in the middle of the room. I looked at it, and it slowly raised it's head to look at me & I got goosebumps; as if some ancient being just traded glances with me. While my sister was talking to the people about adopting 2 kittens, I inquired about the white cat & what the deal with it was (t's name escapes me at the moment, but I'll refer to her as "Millie"). Apparently, she was a permemennt resident of thier shelter and at that time was a staggering TWENTY SEVEN years old. To put that in perspective for 2006 when I was there, that cat was born in 1978; a year before I was. She also still had one of her first kittens with her, a boy cat that was 25 years old. In cat years, that would make here like 150 human years old. Years later I ran into someone who used to work there & I asked her about "Millie" and her kitten. She said they've both since passed away, Millie's kitten died & shortly after (apparently of loneliness, heartbreak or just old age) Millie passed away too....at the age of 29 years old. I've seen some cats in my family live to 19-or-20, but 27 or 29 years old is amazing. If I'm that fortunate, our 3 little furry friends JiJi (3 1/2), Gemini (14 months) & Eureeka (3 months) will live healthy, happy lives to 20 years of age.

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  13. My deepest regards go out to you and your family Matt. Your furry friend will be well up there w/ the catnip covered trees, jingly playtoys and all his new companions (sadly our old ones) to his hearts content.

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  14. My condolences go out to you and your family, Matt. Cats are mans' greatest companion and they were worshiped thousands of years ago for a reason. I hope you and your family's hearts take solace in that Hutch is now reigning over his own kingdom in the ethereal realms of infinity.
    -Samael

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  15. I am so sorry. :( We lost a dear cat two months ago. We had Ringo since 96 and miss him terribly.

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  16. I'm right there with you my friends, our family dog for the last 20 or so years passed today. =(

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