04 September 2008

No Woman No Cry

Rita Marley Arnold - R.I.P.


Things you may not know about Marley:

She was conceived in Johnson City, Tennessee.

Not an easy cat, she had a small yet devoted following.

Marley was the kind of cat that gave cats a bad name, but only if you didn't know how to handle her. Those that truly knew her, loved her.

She snored.

She would come running from anywhere in the neighborhood when we sounded our little Tibetan prayer chimes.

She was a Buddhist.

She liked to follow us around the house and the neighborhood. She'd let you get ahead, then come bounding after you, chirping and trilling little happy sounds.

She was slinky.

A born hunter, she brought home lizards, birds, and squirrels. She once delivered a slug to my sister-in-law's feet, earning her the nick-name Slug Mouth.

I once saw her kick a four foot snake's ass (where is the ass on a four foot snake, you ask? About three and a half feet down from the mouth, I tell you)


But her favorite prey was a foot under a blanket.

She pooped in the litter box but peed next to it.

She respected and obeyed our older, tougher but sweeter male cat (Repo) and despised our younger, bigger, softer and dumber male cat (Jack)

She outlasted both of them.

She loved to sit on your lap, but you pet her at your own risk. She'd enjoy it until she HATED it and then she bit you, hard.

She was very photogenic.

She liked being manhandled about the neck. A good hard grab and tug on the extra scruff there and she was yours for life.

She would lick the gravy off her wet food then walk away.

When we had three cats she slept between my knees. When she was an only cat she slept under my left arm.

She HATED closed doors and would scratch at one for hours.

She was really good at getting her way.

She always wanted to be in the same room with us, even if just to ignore us. Whenever we had a party she was the only cat who'd hang around with our guests. Even if it was to bare her fangs and scare the crap out of them.

If we went away she would shred the toilet paper to punish us.

She was fearless.

After her salad days were long gone she developed a saggy belly that made her look perpetually pregnant. She refused to acknowledge this and if you dared to touch it she'd destroy your hand before you could say 'lay off the whiskas.'

I never once saw her lick herself anyplace inappropriate.

She liked to lay on my tummy and stretch her front legs out till her paws rested on my lips. I always felt like she was telling me to shut up.

She went NUTS for the sound of a tin whistle.

When we left Florida, Clayton the Amazing worked hard to find Marley the right new home.

He was kind enough to take her when we moved, then find her another home when his didn't work out, then find her yet ANOTHER home when she didn't fit into the second one. (I told you she was difficult)

He kept us posted on how she was doing and how much she was adored by her new people. Then we got this email last week:

I'm sorry to report that Marley is no longer with us.
She died last Thursday, August 28th.
Beth started crying while she was telling me and said she was inconsolable all weekend. They loved her very much. Believe me when I say she had a pampered existence for the final part of her life. Marley had fallen in love with Beth's husband, Horus, and he with her. Beth was always telling me stories of how jealous she was of the fact that Marley would follow him around and jump in his lap and snuggle in with him at night. I'm sorry it took a few months to get her settled in an environment that was good for her, but at least her last year was without other cats and with people that loved her.
I hate telling you but I thought you would want to know.

I hereby nominate Clayton for the Best Friend Ever Award.

Marley agrees.

-k.

9 comments:

Cathi Davis said...

Aw...We're crying here for you :( I loved that cat; she was always my favorite.

pattyK said...

So sorry to hear of Marley's passing - hugs to you and Chris.

Alli Arnold said...

Aww. I am sad.

I am sorry for your loss, Kelly and Chris, and everyone else who loved Marley...

Marley was an enigmatic beauty; a confusing puzzle rolled in striped fur and finished with a coat of slug lip gloss.

Marley, I was too scared to pet you but wise enough to get to know you.

In the immortal words of Katie Arnold:
"What's that dangling off Marley?"

Indeed.

xoxo Alli

Anonymous said...

Sorry , kel and Chris. Sounds liek Marley owned a chunck of your heart.
Love, Helen

Anonymous said...

Gosh Kelly, will you do my eulogy when I go? That being said, Marley lived a good life and was loved deeply. What more could a cat ask for. I wish a wasn't allergic to cats because I think they are so cool and I loved the ones I had and would have another one in a heartbeat.
love you,
Eileen

Anonymous said...

she is in heaven prob chasing jersey around and kicking her butt im sorry for your loss

Becky said...

Nooooooo! Well done making sad news into a delightful post. As you know I once hated cats and now I am in love with one. He sleeps under my left arm too..with one leg and one arm draped over my arm. I can't imagine life without that little booger! R.I.P Marley...you scared me but I loved you.

Chris said...

Every day when I came home for work, and this went on for years and years, she would follow me around...all afternoon. If I ever sat down, which happened rarely, she would sit in my lap. Every afternoon was our time together.

If she was at the bottom of the stairs and you were going up...she would race you...usually letting you get two steps ahead before she sprinted by.

I always gave her extra treats when the other cats weren't looking and when she was our only cat we switched to the more expensive fancy foods.

She stalked and killed my feet 12,000 times.

When Kelly and I lived in an apartment, and later a house, whenever we went for walks she went with us. Even if it was several blocks from the house.

When she was a kitten, she had a big black M on her head, which you can still see in later pictures...we almost named her M head.

She was a wonderful, wonderful cat and companion.

Anonymous said...

Very sorry to hear about Marley. She was a cute kitty. One thing you said in your wonderful post that isn't right....jack the younger kitty is still live and well. You said Marley outlasted both Repo and Jack...unless i misunderstood you. Jack said Hi to you the other day and said he missed you lots. Also he asked if you can come visit soon!!!! :0)