Goodbye August, Hello September

On By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn autumn

Before we move on to September, I want to talk about this guy, my Marlow Meepers. I had to say goodbye to him this week, the last day of August, and I’m not going to lie, it was hard and it was awful and I miss his face and his cuddles and soft soft fur. But he was not doing well, and at 18, there really wasn’t going to be much we could do for him. So we made the very hard decision to let him go, as we knew he was suffering. He was diminished in size, his fur was no longer shiny, he had lost his shine, his vibrance, and spent all night every night just crying. He came to shelter I volunteered at when he was a few years old, after having been abandoned in an apartment when his owners just left him there when they moved. My brother-in-law actually adopted him, but was stationed overseas for a long stint and wasn’t sure when he was coming back – so Marlow came to us. By the time my brother-in-law returned, Marlow was mine. He had attached to me and it was obvious I was his person and he was my cat. He was a shy, hidey cat for a long time, but eventually became our most bold and bossy. My favorite Marlow story: Years ago before Wyatt, Billy was on a camping trip for the weekend. It was late and I was reading on the couch, drinking a glass of wine, Marlow laying next to me. All of a sudden we heard a scuffing noise outside, and we both sort of sat up straighter – and Marlow started growling like he was some sort of fierce guard dog. I got up and made sure the door was locked and flipped on the outside lights, and ran back to my cat. Nothing happened thank goodness, but I thought it was so funny and cute that apparently Marlow was going to fight to protect me. After Wyatt was born, he was always by Wyatt’s side, and so very patient with him. We miss him so much.

So we start September with heavy hearts this year, and we will let that grief settle, as summer will soon settle into fall. The leaves here are already changing, the evenings are cooler, and autumn is on the way. I love this season so much, the slow down we always experience and embrace. Quiet nights around a crackling fire, school starting up again, comfort food, warm tea in sturdy mugs, reading books under soft cozy quilts, and of course spooky season!

We will be laying low and sticking close to home this September, finding our new rhythm. Hiking in the woods with crunchy leaves, spotting mushrooms, collecting acorns and and black walnuts and chestnuts, putting the garden to bed. The month of the full harvest moon, the autumn equinox. The monarchs that are born now are the super monarchs that will be making the long journey south to Texas and Mexico. Life changes this time of year, shifts, adjusts, and we change and shift and adjust as well. Sometimes we say hello, and sometimes we have to say goodbye.

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22 thoughts on “Goodbye August, Hello September”

  6. Ugh. Reading more about Marlow here was just so heartbreaking, yet also uplifting because it was sweet to hear stories about him in addition to seeing photos. I know there is still a hole in my heart for each pet we’ve lost over the years. It never gets easier, I wish I did.

    I’m like you and looking forward to September, though. Cozy nights, warm tea and cocoa, leaves falling and all that loveliness! There are good days ahead, but, yes, right now it’s okay to give yourselves some grace and mourn Marlow.

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  7. Pingback: My Sunday-Monday Post! – Still Life, With Cracker Crumbs..

  9. I’m so sorry, Erin. They are beautiful photos and he looked like a wonderful companion of many years. Even when we know it is the best and kindest thing we can do, even when we wish we could do that for each other when the time is right, it makes it no easier or the loss and loneliness less profound. Sending love and wishes for peace and healing to you all.

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  13. Oh, Erin, my heart breaks for you. It is so difficult letting go. We had two Westies years ago. In March, Pete, the youngest, was having real problems. Our vet at the time was wonderful and told us we had to consider Pete’s quality of life. My biggest regret was not holding him as he passed…I was in shock and not thinking. Later that same year, Max, our older Westie, was diagnosed with diabetes and spent a week in and emergency hospital. I would go to visit him, and he would just lean against me for comfort (his and mine). We went on to insulin injections twice a day for almost four years before saying goodbye. My husband took him as I just couldn’t. Right now, our third Westie, Jack, has a terrible ear infection (from scratching himself too hard). I’m hoping to get him into the vet tomorrow because he’s just miserable. All of that to say, I hear you…our furbabies are just as much a part of our lives as our other babies. They love you so unconditionally (and sometimes when you least deserve it). I hope Marlow is playing with many others at the Rainbow Bridge! Max loved cats so maybe they’re playing together!

    http://marshainthemiddle.com/

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    1. Thank you Marsha. It really is so hard. I miss seeing his fuzzy little face, hearing his meows, his cuddles, because of my three cats, he was the most cuddly. I think my Maggie the Cat senses that, and she has been spending more time next to me lately.

      I am so sorry to hear about your westies. Our furbabies really do get such a hold on our hearts! And that was the first time I was with one of mine when we had to do the thing, so I understand. It is so shocking and hard and I kept crying and I hated every minute of it. And I need to stop thinking about it because I will cry!

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