RIP my poor, poor, poor 'possum. Clarence has kicked the 'bucket'

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

I missed Clarence Monday morning. I had to leave for dialysis. I just left his Cheerios down for him, by his bucket home, in the garage.

When I came home the Cheerios were gone. I assumed he was close.

I had the kids look around the yard. No Clarence.

When supper came we ate and I took him some scraps. No Clarence.

I walked out to the burn barrel. And looked under the deck. No Clarence.
I left the garage door opened about a foot and went in.

Side note: Haricot, his cat has been meowing incessantly. I’m not sure what to do to console her. Last I looked she was hiding behind the freezer.

This morning I immediately went out to the garage still no Clarence.

Son-of-a-wrek took off to search around for him. He first went searching in the barn. He rode down to the pond on a four-wheeler. And, then further a-field.

I was thinking while he was gone, Clarence has been super sleepy for about a week. I had trouble waking him up to eat and go out a bit.
I thought he was semi-hibernating.

Son-of-a-wrek came back. I knew it was bad when he came in. He found Clarence on the back side of the pond.
He was dead.
He didn’t want me to look. But I had too. He wasn’t hurt in any way. He just looked asleep.

I’m so sad about it. I figured he was pretty old. But I had hoped for a few more months.

The kids and me are planning a funeral. I have a pet graveyard. He’ll occupy a prominent position there.

I have a fun series of memories about him. The kids will always talk about him.

“Rest your head and sleep well my sweet Prince Awesome 'Possum.
I loved you dearly.”

That Possum ain’t right

2

i’m so sorry. i really enjoyed reading about the adventures of clarence.

his stories will be passed down through the family (and the sdmb) keeping his memory alive.

3

I am so sorry to hear that. :frowning:

4

That’s too bad, Beck. I know how much you cared about him, and your whole family did as well. Be glad that you gave him a nice friendly life that he otherwise wouldn’t have had, with lots of treats and companionship.

RIP, Clarence.

5

Oh, I suspect he’s all right now. Fair thee well. Sorry, Granny.

6

SOMEBODY has to ask: you absolutely sure he isn’t “playing possum?”

[dodging rotten tomatoes]

~VOW

7

I’m so sorry your buddy is gone. He must have been the luckiest possum in the world to have you for a friend.

8

-VOW, you are nothing if not irreverent!
I had to laugh. That’s the first thing Son-of-a-wrek said he thought.

Girl, you kill me.

9

Ohhh, no. I’m so sorry to read this, Beck; I know that you really adored the little guy.

Somewhere, in Opossum Heaven, Clarence is enjoying an endless supply of Cheerios, and dreaming of his momma Beck.

hugs

10

Aww. See? you are a nice guy, Mister Fish face!:face_with_hand_over_mouth:

11

Oh, I’m sorry. He had the best chance a cheerio-eating possum could have. I hope Haricot is okay.

StG

12

That is sad news. You and Haricort and the grandwreks all have my condolences.

13

Funeral Procession for Clarence O’Possum

Ok. We found a box big enough. But, I just wanted him in his bucket home.
Son-of-a-wrek dug the hole deeper for me.
I got his bucket and an old blanket. He hated a blanket. I decided against it. He always pulled them out when I put one in. He loved his cotton seed hulls. He’d dig and scoop them just right and get in.
I filled the bucket with the hulls and place him in. We put a lid on it. I wrote his name with a sharpie.

Haricort is inconsolable. I let her look at him dead. She licked his bad ear twice. Sniffed around and put a paw on his tail. And just sat by him. About 30min.

I was crying for her. It just looked so pity-able.

The procession was, as follows:
Son was pall bearer. I was next in line, Four grandwrex behind. Each made a picture to leave in his grave. The oldest Granddaughter glue Cheerios in a heart shape on construction paper. The boys drew pics of rockets(??). The baby scribbled. She said it said Happy birthday. I told her it wasn’t exactly his birthday. She said “his birthday is coming soon” (??)

The baby also provided Kazoo music. She said she was playing the New Years song. (Auld lang Syne, I guess. Didn’t sound like it)
Good effort on her part.

We were all crying by this time.

Son placed the bucket in the grave, we stood around. Mid-daughter grabbed the kazoo.
I gave each person a penny to say what they liked about Clarence and toss the penny in with him. We got a few ‘he was funny’ or ‘cute’
Son-of-a-wrek said " that possum ain’t right". Perfect.
The youngest grandson couldn’t say anything. I asked him why. He said he didn’t like Clarence too much. I asked him why he was crying. He said he was crying 'cause I was so sad. I had to hug him for that one.

The Li’l-wrekker was even crying.
We covered the bucket and made plans to put flower seeds on it.

Whew! That was hard.

I’m not sure what to do for Haricort.
I guess she has to grieve awhile too.

B. That possum ain’t right.

14

Aw, man. He’s leaving a hole larger than he imagined.

15

That possum was never right. I’m glad you and Clarence found each other. It sounds like you both got some enjoyment out of the relationship. Clarence will be missed.

16

Damn dusty house! Alergies making my eyes water!

17

My condolances,Beck. I never know what to say in situations like this. Then again, I don’t think i’ve ever had to console someone grieving a dead 'possom before.

18

Damn, I never thought I’d be crying over a possum I’d never met. Had any of the rest of us seen Clarence, we probably would have thought he was homely and maybe a nuisance. Thank you for letting us see him through your affectionate eyes, Beck. And thank you for making the last months of Clarence’s life full of love, laughter, and Cheerios.

The funeral service sounds sweet. I hope you and Haricot can comfort each other.

Clarence, wherever you are, thanks for giving our Beck so many smiles.

19

If my wife wonders why I’m raising a shot glass of the good stuff, I’ll just say I’m toasting a 'possum…

Rest in peacefulness, Clarence!

And then cavort all over heaven (trip a few saints up there as you do so)…

20

Aw, that sucks Beck. I’m sorry. :frowning:
He was a lucky one – you gave him a far better life than many a possum out there.