Gardening Charlotte

Ode to Margaret

There are people who live with cats and then there are cats who decide a person belongs to them. Margaret decided early in her almost 20-year life that I was her full responsibility, starting with waking me up and, sometimes, head butting me out of bed.

She also supervised me, from pulling paper out of the printer when it wasn’t printing fast enough. I lost count how many times I almost sewed her tail to whatever project I was working on.

She also liked to hide in the artificial Christmas tree and wait for me to walk by. If you don’t think an all white cat can hide in a dark green simulated evergreen, you are correct but that didn’t stop Margaret from waiting, or me from pretending I didn’t see her.

She made it clear I was allowed to be away from home for no more than 2 days. Any longer and she would greet me at the door, run up the stairs and make sure I saw her turn her back on me. Not for long. As soon as the suitcase was unpacked she would be in the middle of the clothing pile, wrestling socks and purring. You could hear that rumbling motor from across the room.

Being part Siamese, she liked to “talk.” Sometimes it was about what happened while I was gone, other times – well, I don’t know what it was about I had enough sense to give her my full attention and try to make appropriate responses. Yes, she did talk back.

The vet also had great conversations with her; I think that’s why she liked going to his office.

She was also known to “vote” at club meetings held at my house, regardless of whether she was a voting member or not.

Two years ago, she was diagnosed with kidney disease, a condition prompted by dry cat food. After research, I found the best cat food was poultry and started to give her canned chicken food with extra water. As she turned 19, she lost her vision but could still navigate as long as no furniture was moved.

Margaret died in her sleep last week. I found her curled up on the den couch where she liked to sleep next to me. I thought I was prepared for her loss but I wasn’t. She was very much a part of my little daily moments; I feel like I have misplaced a part of me.

The day after she died, I found the first pink surprise lilies popping out of the ground. After she lost her sight, I would wash off her very pink nose after she ate. She seemed to like the attention and would lean into the towel.

As soon as they finish blooming, I will add a few surprise lilies to her gravesite. They do remind me of her nose but they also honor the memory of something that popped into my life without much notice and brought so much love.

Charlotte Ekker Wiggins is a beekeeper, gardener and sometimes cook. Published by El Dorado Springs Sun with author’s permission. Copyright 2018, all rights reserved. Contact Charlotte at gardeningcharlotte@gmail.com with your questions and comments.

THE LATE, GREAT MARGARET – The first surprise lilies starting to pop out of the ground, The pink color reminds me of Margaret’s sweet ears and nose. (Photos by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins).

THE LATE, GREAT MARGARET – Margaret waiting for me to join her on the deck so she can nap on my lap while I read. She was an inside cat except when I sat on the deck, then she would insist on keeping me company.