Zack – In Loving Memory
“Zack” Augustine
April 15, 2005 – October 8, 2014
Zack was laid to rest on Wednesday, October 8, 2014 after being hospitalized earlier in the week and diagnosed with advanced stages of Congestive Heart Failure and elevated Kidney functions. The last 20 hours of his life he spent in an oxygen tank to assist with his breathing. Zack was just 9 years old. Zack will be fondly remembered as the feline duo of Ziggy and Zack in the book “Secrets I Learned From Ordinary House Cats.” He will be sadly missed by his life-long human companion Rosemary Augustine, his litter mate and brother Ziggy, all the birds and squirrels of Main Line Berwyn Apartments, and many friends and neighbors. He is resting comfortably now with former feline companions of Rosemary’s, Byron and Maxx, and Rosemary’s mother who died four months prior.
Zack enjoyed the 2nd floor patio at Main Line Berwyn Apartments, often walking the railing the first 8 years of his life. When moved to the opposite side of the building a year ago, he thoroughly enjoyed the patio overlooking the parking lot, as he could watch neighbors come and go. He was excited when the birds were at the feeder just outside the window. And Zack was a champion in catching bugs – his favorite was the summer cicadas that would nest in the surrounding trees. He would catch them in mid air, but share them with his big brother Ziggy. It was nature at work watching him during this bug decimation. When Rosemary’s mom moved in, Zack was instrumental in “showing her the way” as she used her walker up and down the hallway. She called him Blackie. In his lifetime, he caught a rat… a big one that hung from his mouth to the floor. He was thrilled to show me and then he released it to safety under the refrigerator (somehow knowing it would escape totally).
Zack was a feisty kitten. He grew into a quiet, reserved adult cat, always wanting attention and for sure getting it. He especially liked to roll on his back so you could rub his belly – even by strangers once he approved of them. When Rosemary was first introduced to the tuxedo kitten (later to be named Zack), he hissed and spat with claws extended as she held him by the scruff of the neck and looked at him eye to eye. Rosemary then took the hissing/spatting kitten and tucked him under her chin, where he quickly began to purr and fell asleep. “I’ll take this one for sure” was her response.
It was often thought that Zack was the lead cat, because of his aggressive nature with his more laid back brother. Zack would instigate play and roughhouse with Ziggy. Often Zack would straddle Ziggy and bite him until you heard cat screams. However, many mornings clumps of black fur were often found where it was obvious that Ziggy got him back. They were brothers, but they were complete opposites.
Zack’s ashes will be included on the kitty memorial shelf along with the other deceased Augustine felines – Byron (1985-2003) and Maxx 1992-2005). And, daily thoughts and memories will be part of a journaling practice to help ease the pain of this great loss.
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