Cats and gardens seem to have an affinity for one another. Whenever I am working in the garden, I was always joined by my two loyal Manx cats, Tigger and Jade. Approaching his 15th birthday, Tigger, our large bobtailed tabby Manx, was beginning to show the signs of old age creeping up on him. When we were together in the garden, my favorite garden companion no longer climbed up on the wall to watch over me but instead found a comfortable place to bask in the sun close by.
Not wanting to share his garden territory with other cats or dogs, Tigger did welcome other forms of wildlife into our garden. I have seen him socialize and follow the opossums and raccoons that visit our garden at night. Tigger was not the great hunter you might expect. I never saw Tigger catch a mouse or bird, but he would hunt the large pesky insects in the garden, bringing me grasshoppers, large moths and an occasional walking stick. He truly was the perfect garden cat!
Tigger came into our lives as a 4-week-old feral kitten a friend found in the engine of his car. The car was parked on a canyon rim at night, and tiny Tigger climbed up under the car, most likely to keep warm. Thankfully, his loud, shrill screams did not go unnoticed, and he was rescued and given to us. Tigger quickly became part of our family and formed a strong bond with our son Jarrett. As a kitten, Tigger would lie in Jarrett’s left arm, gazing up at him with a loving stare, as Jarrett used his right arm and hand to play Nintendo. Their special bond never changed, and when Jarrett comes home to visit, all I would have to do is tell Tigger that the “boy” was coming, and he would walk out to the garden gate and patiently wait for him to arrive.
As the season changed to fall, the summer flowers and the leaves on our peach tree began to fade, along with our cherished Tigger’s health. The spry, active cat who once happily romped through his garden now did so with labored breath and a slower gait. Even poor health could not keep him from his beloved garden. On his last day with us, he begged me to let him outside, and he slowly made his way through the garden, stopping to rest in all his favorite spots. Taking a few final steps, he died in the garden he loved so much.
Tigger is appropriately buried in his garden, and when I come home and open the garden gate, I can’t help but think I hear his friendly meow welcoming me home to our favorite place. He will always be in our hearts.
” Linda Marrone is a local Realtor with Coldwell Banker who specializes in historic and architecturally designed homes. She is one of the founders of the Secret Garden Tour of Old La Jolla and enjoys working in her historic La Jolla garden. www.LindaMarrone.com, voicemail (858) 456-3224.