A Farewell to Geoffrey.

Colehaus Cats - Geoffrey 2011. © Colehaus Cats

Geoffrey II – 2007-2013 © Colehaus Cats

Five years ago, when we first saw a big Tabby feral Mancat wandering our neighborhood, we began leaving food out for him. He wouldn’t come closer than 40 or 50 feet of us. A good friend built him a winter warming box that we installed on our front porch and keep heated year around.

Four years ago, as he skitterishly lay on our doorstep with what might have been torn ligaments, we began the attempt to win his trust. We named him Geoffrey after another feral boy we cared for, and left us all too briefly, a decade and a half ago.

Three years ago, we were finally able to touch Geoffrey. He began perking up to the sound of our calls.

Two years ago, we could brush Geoffrey, albeit lightly. We think we touched his belly once or twice.

One year ago, our world revolved around making sure every day we were up at a decent hour to serve him breakfast and brushies on the front porch and home by evening time to serve him dinner and praise. We worried about traffic and bad, cat-hating neighbors and raccoons and he taught us he was much smarter than all that.

We never grumbled when he marked as his territory our house, our bushes, our front door and porch and from time-to-time, that warming box he came to like so much.

He enjoyed scattering his food whenever he ate and staking out comfortable napping spots in our front yard.

He loved catnips pillows and laying on the cool sidewalk and the feel of sunshine on his belly furs. And sometimes, he liked us to sit with him, but only for a little while because, as a wanderer, a fighter and a lover, he had places to go and things to do.

And because life is short. And FIP makes life shorter still.

Thank you, Geoffrey, for letting us be your friend. We’re so sorry but we’re also so thankful we were here for you when you really needed someone. Until we meet again…

Geoffrey, the Outsider.

Geoffrey II. 2012 © Colehaus Cats.

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46 Responses to A Farewell to Geoffrey.

  1. Thank you so much to caring for Geoffrey – he would know that you wouldn’t hurt him. (he looked to be such a lovely Mancat.
    Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx

  2. Fuzzy Tales says:

    Our thanks as well, for loving him and caring for him, when so many wouldn’t have bothered. He certainly was a handsome tom cat — look at that round face!

    Purrs and peace.

  3. we are so very sorry….and yet it makes us glad you took care of him and gave him what love he would let you.

  4. Penelope says:

    Geoffrey sounds like he was a great cat. How wonderful you got to share part of his life with him. We sends yous comforting purrs and kitty kisses of condolence.
    Kisses
    Nellie, Kozmo, Jo-Jo and Mommy

  5. What a loveing tribute to this handsome cat – thank you for caring for him and being there for him. Fly free Geoffrey.

  6. You did such a wonderful job of taking care of a very handsome gent! We love humans like you who care for us fur people no matter what. You will be rewarded.
    Purrs and soft paw pats from us…..

  7. Joan Ryan says:

    We are so very sorry for the loss of Geoffrey. You took such wonderful care of him while he was on earth. Sending comforting purrs and hugs your way. You are a remarkable family. God bless you for helping this wonderful boy.

  8. Terri says:

    We are so sad to hear about your loss of Geoffrey. How wonderful he had people who cared about him. Hugs and purrs to you.

  9. our hearts are just breaking. We are so sorry but thank you for showing Geoffrey that the world CAN be a loving place

  10. Marg says:

    Oh darn, we are so sorry to hear about Geoffrey but we are also very thankful that he was loved so much by all of you. He was so very handsome and had a wonderful life with you. We sure send you some mighty purrs and some great big hugs. You sure are in our thoughts.

  11. Sorry to read about Geoffrey. We know he was well loved and well looked after. We too send big hugs.
    Best wishes Molly

  12. da tabbies o trout towne says:

    God’s speed to you Geoffrey…..N bee leeve uz when we say ewe wuz veree much loved….pleez ta look uz up once ya get settled in, we will bee mor N happee ta show ewe round N call ewe friend

    dude & sauce RB clouds 777313 & 315

    ta de colehaus crew N mom & dad…God’s blessing two ewe all tenfold for lookin after, carin for N givin lots oh love ta Geoffrey….hope ewe noe if him could speek, he wood say …thanx…eye loved ewe all az well

    XOXO

  13. Very sorry for your loss. Very full of hope for cats and humans because of folks like you who take care of cats like Geoffrey.

  14. What a wonderful mancat he was. Thank you for taking care of him and we are so very sorry for your loss.

  15. Very sorry for your loss 🙁
    Me and the mom-person are very thankful that he was loved so much by all of you <3

  16. We’re so sad that Geoffrey had to go to the Rainbow Bridge so early. He sure had a wonderful life with you. Love & purrs to all of you. <3

  17. We are so sorry. Thank you for taking care of Geoffrey…what a handsome guy he was.

  18. We’re so sorry that Geoffrey had to go to the Bridge. FIP is a nasty disease.

    (((Hugs)))
    The Florida Furkids and Mom Sharon

  19. Rene S says:

    It is so hard to love outdoor cats like that, isn’t it? Their life is so much harder. We know he appreciated all the love and care you gave him.

  20. So glad Geoffrey knew he was loved; he was a very handsome boy. Hugs & belly rubs!

  21. My peeps were in the very same situation as you, with my older brother. They’re heartbroken at this news but asked me to tell you that every day you loved him, Geoffrey knew. Every prayer you said for him, Geoffrey heard. You did everything and anything you could to make Geoffrey’s life as comfortable as he would allow. He knew that. He knows that still. And one day, when you meet again, he will tell you that he loved you back.

    Purrs,
    Nissy

  22. Ann Paws says:

    Wow he is handsome! That is a lovely story and sorry he had to go. FIP is no fun 🙁 Sounds like you guys did a terrific job caring for him.

  23. Abby says:

    Oh was Geoffrey one handsome mancat. What a wonderful, bittersweet,story of making life easier for a feral boy. You did all our species could do for him. He did grow to trust you, even though it cut across ever fiber in his being. Knowing that you gave him warmth, food and love and friendship has to make you feel the glow of accomplishment. We are so sadden by his passing and we have wet whiskers and leaky eyes. RIP Geoffrey.

  24. Jacqueline says:

    Oh no, we are so very sorry for your loss of your handsome Geoffrey II; we are grateful he was lucky enough to find such a loving family to care for him…Wishing you guys comfort at this sad time, sending big hugs, dear friends…J, Calle, Halle, Sukki, Mommy Cat, Daddy Cat

  25. Sparkle says:

    I don’t think Geoffrey could have had better human caretakers looking out for him. And of course, he knew that, and appreciated the gift of your love and respect for his nature. Purrs to you on this sad day.

  26. meowmeowmans says:

    We’re so sorry that it was Geoffrey’s time to go to the Bridge. Thank you for loving him so much, and for caring for him so well. It is a beautiful thing that you let him into your lives, and that he let you into his.

    Hugs, purrs and prayers to you all.

  27. Timmy Tomcat says:

    Thanks so much for letting us know Geoffrey as you did. He is now Free to patrol the land over the bridge.

    Until the day we shall meet again in the endless sun with all of us forever young, have a good trip Geoffrey.
    Timmy and Family

  28. CATachresis says:

    Geoffrey was a fine cat! You did so well with him. RIP Geoffrey xox

  29. Kitties Blue says:

    What a handsome mancat. Geoffrey had beautiful markings. You were so wonderful to befriend him and give him food and a safe and warm place to stay. And you certainly gained his trust. We’re so sorry to hear he is no longer with you. You are in our prayers. Purrs and hugs, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo

  30. Brian says:

    Dear friends, we are so sorry about dear Geoffrey. He new love because of you and because of the love he returned he will live in your hearts forever. Hugs and love from all of us.

  31. We’re so sorry to read about Geoffrey. He was a lucky cat to have friends like you who understood him, respected him, and loved him for the unique individual he was. Many purrs for all of you.

  32. Katie Isabella says:

    I have such leaky eyes reading about that precious innocent Geoffrey. My deepest gratitude to you for giving him the only love and care he had in his short life. Yes, he felt your love and he trusted you as much as his circumstances allowed. Thank you for loving him and caring for him and grieving for him now he has flown away to the bridge.

    Katie Isabella’s mom and Katie

  33. Keisha says:

    I sorry about ur friend. Rest in peace.

  34. William says:

    We’re so sorry. We know he will miss you, too. 🙁

  35. Fraidy Cats! says:

    We are very sorry for you loss 🙁 Bless you for being there for Geoffrey. His markings are just beautiful. purrs,

    Pip, Smidgen, Minnie, Hollie

  36. Cathy Keisha says:

    Awww, RIP Geoffrey. Run free to your new warming box over the rainbow.

  37. Clooney says:

    We are so sorry to hear this sad news about Geoffrey. Bless you for loving him and caring for him the way you did. You really are wonderful folks.

    Be Well Sweet Geoffrey

  38. pretinha says:

    Que triste…
    Tenho certeza que ele sentiu o amor e o carinho que vocês tinham por ele.

  39. speedyrabbit says:

    so sad he was a handsome fellow,thank you for being there for him,xx Speedy’s mum

  40. Geoffrey was beautiful and although his passing is sad and I’m sorry, I’m also very grateful that he had persons as caring as yourselves to be his friends and care for him in ways that some homeless cats can only dream about.

  41. Bless you for taking Geoffrey into your hearts and caring for him. Every being deserves love. He was such a handsome fella, and we know you’ll miss that sweet face. {{hugs}}

  42. Clowie says:

    He was very handsome! His life was better because of you.

  43. I’m so sorry for your lost. It’s a terrible to loose your animals on a terrible disease 🙁

  44. This is a very moving post and a little sad but Geoffrey was lucky to have found you and I see he was loved and loved you back.
    Thanks for taking care of him.
    Lots of purrs

  45. Toby & Leia says:

    We are so sorry to hear of his passing. But, at the same, so glad he found you, and that you were able to help him. Pawhugs.

  46. Hazel Marie says:

    So sorry for your loss, may he Rest in Peace under the Rainbow Bridge.

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