THE BINGMAN
There were two important things our cat friend Bing loved to do most in this world; he loved to watch the sun rise and he loved to watch the sun set. He would attain a kitty-like altered state as though worshiping the sun as it came up in the morning and when it would set in the evening. When it was cloudy or rainy, he missed it.
This morning, sometime after sunrise, he wandered down into the edge of the woods and curled up in a small, warm ball and passed into his next incarnation — perhaps a Bengal Tiger or a Snow Leopard!
He was just a few days short of his eighteenth birthday. He didn’t make a big deal about it. He slept with us as usual last night. Got up as usual, ate his breakfast and generally talked to us and the walls like he always does, went outside and laid in his favorite bushes for a bit. He then sauntered off to a favored spot in his woods where he made his transition.
Scooter and I both wish we could have been with him, holding him when he passed, but it was his choice and we have always supported him in his choices because he was our dear friend. We will miss him as we miss all our fur friends who have left us. But we learned a lot from him about gentleness, kindness, and unconditional love. We also learned how to create and protect our home and space, and equally how to share with others.
Interestingly, Bing didn’t leave us high and dry. We watched him diligently and carefully train his own replacement for three or four months prior to his departure. His name is Butler. He trained him to the point that Butler also sleeps where Bing slept, also does exactly what Bing did, exactly, to the letter, no deviation. Any deviation while Bing was training him was never tolerated. When Butler came into our life, he was totally wild. Any attempt to pet him resulted in a severe wound to your hand. He is now just as gentle as Bing ever was. He is our parting gift from Bing, who was not only our dearest and wisest friend, but who surely knew our hearts would be broken with his departure.
Wherever you are, Bingman, we send all our love and Godspeed to your next destination.
August 11th, 2006 at 12:59 pm
I am so sorry. 18 years of a best friend and– let’s not kid– a “familiar”– is a long gift, and must be hard for the heart to let go of.
This is my favorite picture of Bing, that I have from the ‘old days’ of the late 90’s.
If the eyes are the windows to the soul… this cat is a wise elder, temporarily here as a gift to the mortals.
I wish you peace. I know your heart must ache so.
August 11th, 2006 at 1:53 pm
I’m so sorry for your loss. Bing was lucky to have such a loving family. No doubt he is watching the most beautiful sunrises from a from a better place now until he decides to return, and once again enrich this world with his insight and presence.
August 11th, 2006 at 2:19 pm
You have my condolances. It’s hard to be separated from our friends, but I am sure Bing is having lots of fun and will visit you when he has time.
August 12th, 2006 at 2:22 pm
Such a terrible loss… Our truest friends often walk on four furry legs, peering back at us from behind eyes that are both simple and wise, deep and strange; seeing us better than we see ourselves. Not asking much more than food and shelter, giving more than they get, they are our best and wisest teachers, gifts from God here to remind us of so many things we tend to forget. I know his absence will leave a hole that makes your hearts ache. But you’ll feel his energy again, I’m sure. These kinds of connections are never truly broken. May peace find you quickly.
August 12th, 2006 at 11:22 pm
I’m sorry about Bing. After 18 years, I’m sure he’s part of your family in ways nobody could understand. Losing a friend, a pet friend is so hard.
It’s amazing how intuitive they are..training his “replacement” even though he can never be replaced. It sounds like you had an ideal relationship with respect on both sides. Cats and dogs never cease to amaze me. Eighteen is a very nice, long life for a cat. I’m sure you’ll miss him but he’ll probably be around you for a long time–in memory and maybe through little presents along the way :).
You guys have had a rough summer, I hope things get smoother and better for you.
Wishing you rest and peace,
Talulah
August 14th, 2006 at 12:15 pm
What beautiful furry personalities! I am certain that Bing had a wonderful life with you guys. There is so much we could learn from these creatures. I hope that I, Like Bing, will be able to just go lay down somewhere when the time comes and not make a big fuss!
Best Regards
Robert
August 15th, 2006 at 10:32 am
Sorry to hear about Bing. I know the memories of the looks you shared and things he did will remain with you forever.
Love the expression on Butler’s face. He has that Regal look. Looks very comfortable in his new space.
August 18th, 2006 at 4:55 am
It is weird. I have never even seen this cat in real life, and for some odd reason I am deeply saddened by his voyage beyond our world.
I had a sad feeling as soon as I started reading the blog entry. I really did enjoy reading about your accounts when you and Bing went on walks in the woods, and how you said he was wiser than the rest of us could ever be.
Best wishes for Bing wherever his next phase of life has taken him.
Greywolf
August 26th, 2006 at 5:59 pm
What a beautiful tribute. It brought tears to my eyes.
August 31st, 2006 at 10:12 am
Truly heartfelt. Thanks for sharing such a lovely tribute. Cats, they have a magical, wonderful, way of opening up the heart chakra.
Blessings to you all.
September 7th, 2006 at 8:21 pm
My heart goes out to both you & Scooter for your loss, Joe. Such a hard one - to have that source of love slip away.
My sense is that Bing’s around you alot. A pet psychic had told me when my last pooch died, that she was around & to talk to her often til she comes back into another animal.
And now I have Ari - who has startled me with the same characteristics as the other dog. I can’t even imagine losing Ari tho.
Take care!
Kristen
November 1st, 2006 at 10:40 pm
Bing’s sun gazing may have been extremely powerful. Following are two quotes from “Love Without End - Jesus Speaks” by Glenda Green. Page numbers from first edition.
“Find a place where you can watch the sun rise or set. Be careful not to look straight into the sun until it hits the cusp of the horizon or is filtered by the atmospheric densities of the Earth’s edge. But once it is orange and comfortable to watch, you will find at its center an infinity point which will resonate with the infinity point in your own soul, and this will give you much nourishment and positive awareness even to the point of biological nourishment. It will actually assist in the manufacture of vitamins and the utilization of minerals.”
Page 49
“… because watching the sun can actually set your physical, etheric, and spiritual hearts into a harmonic resonance which will attract what you need and process what you have more perfectly. Doing this will improve your experience of the day, as well as your energy, your nutrition, and your sleep, for adamantine particles are the river of life connecting heaven and Earth.” Page 127.
You were blessed by having Bing and he was blessed by you.
November 2nd, 2006 at 3:02 am
Regarding the beautiful Bingman, do you, Joe, have any feeling as to where he is and what it may look like?
Sincerely, Tee ‘n’the Wildlife (Lilibet Squeekietoy, Billi Bi and the Three Orange Boyz)