Andi Szilagyi & Joe Szilagyi

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Goodbye, Furio.

Furio Szilagyi, 2002-2005.

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Our sweet boy Furio, whom Andi rescued from an Ansonia, CT creek bed in September 2002, passed on from this world on Saturday, September 24th, 2005 at about 1:00am. Our wonderful veterinarian, Dr. John Richter, thinks that based on what I saw happen he succumbed to a cardiac arrest. In cats, especially of this age, it's extremely difficult to diagnose feline heart disease (if at all). He was always, always a model of exceptional health until the very moment he fell. Super athletic, heavily muscled, with massive teeth. He looked like a miniature wild cat at times.

Hyperactive, wildly vocal, and always, day or night, ready to get his massive (they were huge!) paws into whatever it was you were doing. He rolled around like a wonderful idiot on the ground, and he had some Russian Blue, or something close, in his bloodline. His face was always turned up in a smile, and he was the most playful, loving friend you could ever ask for. He was also the most courageous coward you ever saw. Utterly fearless, until he realized whatever it was he was doing, and then he'd slink away with his tail between his legs, mewling the whole way. He never shut up; ever... he was a complete chatterbox. Deep, booming meows, that were loud as hell. We could hear him from across the backyard, from our upstairs apartment in New Haven. This happened one week before our West coast move. He was a gift to us, these three years, and we hope we gave him a good life. Furio always hated car drives, with a burning passion. He would cry, and meow, and carry on for every second he was in the moving car. I wish I could hear him next week, crying his wonderful fool head off for 3,200 miles of highway...

We always will hear him, too, talking along as he swats at our ankles.

Sleep well, Bubba.

Mojo and Furio, relaxing together as always.

Lay down,
your sweet and weary head.
Night is falling.
You have come to journey’s end.

Sleep now, dream
of ones who came before.
They are calling,
from across the distant shore.

Why do you weep?
What are these tears upon your face?
Soon you will see.
All of your fears will pass away.
Safe in my arms,
you’re only sleeping.

What can you see,
on the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?
Across the sea,
a pale moon rises.
The ships have come,
to carry you home.

And all will turn,
to silver glass.
A light on the water.
All souls pass.

Hope fades,
Into the world of night.
Through shadows falling,
Out of memory and time.

Don’t say,
We have come now to the end.
White shores are calling.
You and I will meet again.
And you’ll be here in my arms,
Just sleeping.

What can you see,
on the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?
Across the sea,
a pale moon rises.
The ships have come,
to carry you home.

And all will turn,
to silver glass.
A light on the water.
Grey ships pass
Into the west.