An Ode to the Cat of Cats
I know this is fairly uncharacteristic to put on a metal blog, but I felt I needed to share this with an audience. Today, I had to put down my cat Sped (yes, Special Education…he was an interesting guy). It was a surreal experience watching a member of the family (and just a living animal in general) die before your eyes. I have never experienced death in this manner before and I was honestly quite taken aback by how simple, quick and painless the process was. The attendant held down Sped gently and the Vet inserted a needle into Sped’s back leg which contained an overdose of anesthesia. I was petting Sped’s head looking at his face while it happened, and I could tell when he no longer had life. He had a glassy eyed stare that held no semblance of acknowledgment. Morbid? No, it was completely the opposite. It seemed so natural and quite calming knowing he died in such a serene way.
For those who have met Sped, you instantly knew he was a fucking cool cat. He would invite you into our home with meows and would demand you pick him up and put him on your shoulders. I have never seen a cat that preferred to ride on your shoulders before, and more so, he’d demand you walk around with him so he could constantly see the sights, and if you stopped, he’d rub your ear or give you a little meow.
Despite being a middle aged cat at 11, he was relentless in wanting to play. He would roll around on the carpet waiting for you to chase him, and as soon as you did, he’d book it almost leaving a dust trail in his wake. If you hid on him waiting to jump out, he’d meow loudly wondering where you were!
For 11 years, Sped was a damn good friend, and will always be that way. And in order to memorialize him, and to make this a legit metal post, I am putting a video up of the greatest cat song performed in its most metallic form by Pantera (yes, I know, it’s not REALLY about cats). Thanks for the memories Sped, you will be missed.
CODY
Nah, Cody, don’t apologize, man. As if metalheads don’t know love and grief! I have a border collie named Machuca (he who crushes) who will be rounding that bend before too long and I dread the day. You’re right to have loved and miss him and to pay tribute via the medium you love so much.
“We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals.” ~ Immanual Kant
I’m very sorry for your loss. People that own pets understand.
When I bought my house 2 years ago, the first thing we did after we were settled was buy a dog. When I was a kid, we lived in a house owned by my grandfather and he wouldn’t allow a dog. It took me until I was 34 to finally get one.
Sydney is a pure golden Lab and she is just like one of the kids, its amazing how pets are so much like people. Syd & I are joined at the hip to the point where she moves from room to room with me throughout the day! When she was still a puppy, I took her to the vet and I happened to be there at the same time someone was putting their dog to sleep. I watched this tough looking, 40 something contruction worker type crying like a 5 yr old because he had no choice but to put his dog down. His wife and daughters showed up, everyone’s a mess, and it was the most horrifying sight. I took a look at Syd, then at this guy, and I couldn’t even imagine his heartache.
As I type this, my pal is barking to go out……
Steve
Heavy Metal Addiction
http://hardrockheavymetal.wordpress.com/
my parents killed my dog on my birthday this year. happy birthday
Sorry to hear about Sped, man. He was definitely one of those “no other cat is quite like this” kinda cats.
my dog was murdered may 6th, the year of our lord two thousand and eight
Sorry to hear about Echo, man. He was definitely one of those “no other dog is quite like this” kinda dogs.
Sorry to hear about your little buddy, Codeman. I think one of mine back home is on his last legs so I know where you’re at. I take it Sped musta been in pretty bad shape because 11 isn’t that old.
Nate, Echo was a Dolphin. Carter’s dog’s name was Darnis Crabstein.