Cat on Fence | Photo Essay

By Martie Hevia | Blue Beach Song™

My dog, Rookie, of ten years died a little over a week ago. We picked up his urn and remains yesterday. Everything reminds me of him now, even his nemesis.

Seeking some measure of comfort, I began looking through some of his photos and some of the photos I took while we were together. There is some solace in touching memories, in reaching out to the past – photographs are good at that. They not only capture a moment in time, but they shake loose all those tangential details we so quickly forget…the smells, the sounds, the textures, the moods, the words, and rhythms that surrounded that moment.

Cat on Fence is a series of photographs I took of Rookie’s nemesis, a cat who patrols our backyard like he owns it, until Rookie chases him out.

After alerting me one day last December of the cat’s presence, Rookie and I watched him climb up, walk on the fence, and settle in. Of course, I immediately grabbed my camera as Rookie softly growled under his breath in disapproval. I couldn’t help myself, the light of the day, the shadows on the fence, the cat’s grace…it was a beautiful moment.

I saw this cat again today. He stopped. We looked at each other. Did he know that Rookie was gone? Did he know that he was free to roam the backyard without being chased out? I don’t know if he was aware of my loss and his gain, but in that moment he reminded me of Rookie and I was grateful to him.  (Remembering Rookie)

‘Photography by Martie Hevia:

Blue Beach Song™ Photography by Martie Hevia includes in its subject matter California’s beautiful seascapes, landscapes, flora, and fauna – as well as what I call everyday “walk art”™ or the kind of incidental art you discover by walking around neighborhoods. The photography is available for purchase as posters and framed prints, in any size, and in any frame style and canvas quality of your choice.
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