Vale Gracie (Nov 2008 – Jan 2025) …

 On the afternoon of Friday 24 January our beloved cat Gracie passed away peacefully at home while Cath and I held her paws and whispered words of love and gratitude. Gracie was just over 16 years old and in recent months it was clear that her health was failing. She fought on bravely and enjoyed a good quality of life right until the end. We are grateful that no external intervention was required and that she was able to stay at home. We chose a spot under our beautiful Forest Pansy tree for her final resting place, and she is now sleeps with a sweeping view of the Huon Valley.

 

First day with us - 10 January 2009

Final resting place - 24 January 2025

Readers of this blog will know that we acquired Gracie in a RSPCA liquidation sale in January of 2009. We were attracted by her sweet nature and her diesel-engine purr (see "A significant arrival … ", posted 7 August 2022). Gracie was nominally our middle son’s cat, but in truth she didn’t belong to anyone; it was we who belonged to her. She ruled us all – including our dogs – with a velvet paw. There was never a cross or spiteful hiss, just a calm certainty that whatever she desired would transpire. For many years in our former residence in Brisbane, Gracie would scratch the front door in the dead of night asking to be let out and then in again, and I would unfailingly oblige. Sometimes in the heat of summer the exits and entries became a continuous procession and my patience was severely tested, but somehow she only needed to look at me to secure my complete acquiescence to her every whim.

 

 No words necessary

 

Teaching relaxation in front of the fire

Over the course of her life Gracie interacted with all five of our our dogs – two Golden Retrievers, two Border Collies and a Maremma.  She was probably closest to the two Border Collies, first Cocoa and more recently Pepper. Perhaps the reason for this is that she was introduced to the Golden Retrievers when they were already getting old, but both the Collies were new on her watch. When Knut the Maremma came along to join Pepper, you could almost sense her exasperation. It was as if she was saying – ‘not again’. It is not surprising therefore that it took a while for the two of them to reach an agreement. In recent months, however, this rapprochement turned into real friendship. One of my fondest memories will be Gracie sitting up waist high on a set of shelves in the shed and Knut wandering over to touch noses and receive a benediction from the matriarch. It has been Knut who has wandered around in the last few days seeking out all her favourite spots, looking for her and being nonplussed when he can’t find her.

 

Best friends .... but

 

 But very different approaches to life ...

Everyone that met Gracie loved her – even those who at first were wary of cats. When we sold our Brisbane home, our estate agent commented on how Gracie introduced herself to all the attendees at the open home sessions, giving them a gentle pat to encourage them to stroke her. Right up to a few weeks ago when we had a group of visitors join us for some cider tasting, she remained keen to join in and greet everyone.

I wrote in my August 2022 post that this small tabby cat had weaved her way into the fabric of our family. We are heartbroken that she had to leave, but she has left an indelible mark and will therefore always be a part of us all. Farewell sweet and gentle girl, rest in peace …

 

Gracie