22 Jul 2011, Posted by Cat in News, 27 Comments. Tagged smersh

RIP Smersh, 19 years or thereabouts

We knew it was coming, but all the same, when we awoke to find Smersh even shakier on his legs than usual, unable to sit up, eat or even pee, we knew the time had come to make the call. Something I had desperately hoped not to have to do. I wanted to wake up and find him peaceful in eternal slumber. He was peaceful, really. You could see his light was fading from the world. We’re the ones who could find no peace with it. In pouring rain we took him to the car.

I wanted George to do do the deed but it wasn’t George’s shift. A bearded, kindly bear of a vet, I’m always more comfortable when he’s on the case. Instead we got Vanessa: young, patient and attentive. I wept uncontrollably as she explained Smersh’s options. He didn’t have any really — a couple of days on a drip at best so we told her to do the thing.

It was Robin Pen who coined the best description. Smersh was a ‘retired’ cat. He’d had a tough youth on the streets of Sydney. When I first met him he was named Prozac and living in a combi van with a girl called Cathy. Smersh got renamed and passed from house to house, much like the rest of us designer urban hippies. Guthrie ended up with him when I moved out of Sydney. By time Guthrie moved to Melbourne, Rob and I were in this house so we drove Smersh down the south coast for a sea change. Uncertain at first, he soon settled in, always begrudging the need to share with junior nemeses: Roswell, Pazuzu and Nemo. But those other young Turks never bothered him much. Smersh was boss cat, grand old master, whether retired or not and they gave him space.

When I was up doing Clarion in January 2004, Smersh got hit by a car. Rob nursed him back to sprightly health and thus began their eight-year love affair. Rob was the favourite. Everything was always all about Rob, only I like to think I won him back a little in his last year. It was my knee he’s been curled upon during marathon Smallville sessions. My study heater he accompanied during the day.

Rest in peace, Smersh. We will always love you and miss you.