Our Whinona

C: Our cat Whiner was a very good but tough cat. We think that she died from kidney failure. She died this morning. Last night Mom took her from under the armoir, and into bed. She got under the bed, and died several minutes after mom brought her on top. I saw death, and felt terrible. I then remembered how long a life she had and felt better. She lived in Crestline, Coast Road, Big Basin, and here. The end.

Sam: Whiner was a lovable cat. We got her in a shopping center parking lot. She used to be mean, but as soon as she got love she found out it's true meaning. We loved her truly and she was my sister. I love Whiner.

Mom: One day, shortly after Dad and I got married in 1994, we had a discussion about getting a cat. Dad wanted a mature male, yellow, tabby cat. But when I saw a loudly whining, black, female, kitten in the parking lot at Goodwin's in Crestline, I forgot all about his criteria! We named her Whinona because she was such a vocal cat. A few months later I hit the mark a little closer, when I brought home a young, female, tabby from campground 76 at Silverwood. The two cats became close, but Whiner always ran the house, and dominated all of the animals, even the dogs.

When we lived at Coast Road, she would follow us on hikes through the brussel sprout fields to the beach. When we lived at Big Basin, she would follow us on the trails if we didn't shut her in. Even here, in our new house, I'll miss her following me around as I worked in the garden, and seeing her sleeping on the shelf attached to the south end of the house ("the cat deck").

She and Lulu used to run circles around the house, chasing each other. She used to act friendly to all of my friends, then scratch and bite them (even when they were warned!). For many years, we tried to find her a home in an old barn somewhere, but no luck. This past year she finally became a nice, lovable cat, and Sam enjoyed having her on the back of the piano when she practiced. Since she couldn't get a new kitten, she adopted Whiner as her "kitten" and spoiled her terribly. She had to have surgery last month and we've spent a lot of time nurturing her since, knowing that she didn't have much time left. So, we all had a chance to say goodbye to her. She was in a lot of pain over the last few days. But, I'll miss her, too.

Dad: What I'll remember most about Whiner is how smart she was. Intelligence is a very desirable trait in a dog, because is enables your loyal friend to do wonderful things for you. Of course your cat won't do anything for you that doesn't do more for her, so the cat's intelligence is used for it's own benefit.

So many of Whiner's alienating, infuriating, but endearing tendencies came from her creative use of her walnut-sized brain. Whiner truly did follow us around, especially when cruising for opportunities. She left no bowl of milk or stick of butter unmolested, and I truly miss her vulture pose as she watched me eating my cereal in the morning. I really don't miss the way she would claw at the edges of whatever newspaper, book, or magazine was lying on the bedside table at five in the morning to ensure that her cereal dregs wouldn't be late. I can tolerate the news that it's time to get up from an alarm clock, but it's hard to take from a cat who scratches and bites. Nonetheless, I miss her skinny rump in my face.

We held a touching ceremony to bury Whiner with written wishes for her journey in the afterworld. Kind words were said, poignant music was played, and a baby redbud was transplanted above her grave to mark the spot. Farewell Whinona, orphan cat of California.