Miss Paw
Gus nozzling PawMy day started out terribly and even though I finally got on a even keel, it was a sad day all around. I usually wake up to two cats meowing for food and tripping me as I head for their bowls. This morning there was only one cat. Since we knew it was only a matter of time before Paw Kitty left us, I went in search of her. It didn't take too long to find her. She was on our sofa and I was sure she was dead. I woke up Don so he could pick her up and move her to the backyard for burial and he discovered she was still alive. But she was so sick (kidneys) that by 8:30 I was able to put her together with our vet and we said good-bye to her.
We said hello to Paw Kitty ten years ago. She was a feral cat, one of many all around the university campus. We were over at school one night for a concert and as we waited, Krista disappeared to check things out and wander around. She was 12 at the time. Eventually she came back in and she was carrying the most pathetic little kitty I had ever seen. Paw Kitty was skin and bones.
She was about 8 months old and I had seen her with her first litter of kittens several days before Kris found her. By this time, Paw had gone into survival mode and had abandoned her litter. She was starving to death. We brought her home that night and eventually she came home to stay. I fed her throughout the summer on a ledge outside of the music building and as she grew in strength, she turned into a pretty if very small kitty.
August is the traditional time for us to take a vacation together. The kids were both out of school and work was slow for me. The timing was perfect. What wasn't so perfect was the big grey Tom that was raiding Paw Kitty's bowl not to mention looking for a little action with the little lady. That did it. Paw came home permanently. She moved in, got fixed, and made it clear to the other cats in the house that she was not to be messed with.
Over the years she completely attached herself to Don. Don was her human. He was even able to evenually get her to lay in his lap. He's good that way. But when the end came, it was too painful for him and I took Paw to the vet. I've done this before. It is my fate to be some sort of angel of death for our pets. I don't mind. I truly believe that God expects us to usher our little friends out if we can. This is why whenever any of our cats have just upped and disappeared, I watch out for them for them long after they are gone. I don't like to think that they died alone.
Oddly, what I thought about during all of this was mom. We put our pets away but not our loved ones. Not that I would choose to do that, but it is interesting I think of how the level of suffering in this life equates with salvation as does the level of compassion that we give to those who are helpless
21 comments:
Bye bye Paw Kitty, sweet dreams lovely one x x x
(hugs to you Annie)
What a heartbreaking photo. I'm sorry for your loss, but admire your courage to put the little ones out of their suffering. That's always been my mom's role in our family and now that I'm on my own with my own little kitties, I shudder to think about that day when it will be my turn to go to the vet's.
Paw Kitty sounds like a lucky one to have found your family.
Hi Annie: Such sweet memories. I'm so sorry this has happened, and you know my sentiments are sincere, as sent in my email.
Also thanks for the surprise note about my card being pirated and displayed. I haven't even posted it over there myself. Jane is the sneaky one. Tee hee. I'm totally flattered.
Vic and I are doing my first swap. I've made mine and she has mailed her's. We have as a theme "Cats". I dedicate it to your sweet Paw who still lives on in your heart. Such poignant pictures Annie. Yup, I'm crying.
without you and your family Paw Kitty would have no doubt not survived. You were that cats angel of mercy and it was fitting you should be there at the end as well. I've had to put down a cat and a dog, the heart break is INTENSE to say the least, but with each one (13 yrs the cat and 14 yrs the dog)we knew we had given them a loving home and a good life.
XOXO
The photo of Paw Kitty just breaks my heart. I'm so sorry for your loss. It sounds as if Paw Kitty was pretty lucky to have had your family care for her. She had a good loving home, and a thoughtful, loving end to that life. She will be with you always.
So very sorry about your kitty. I know how hard it is.
I am so sorry about Paw Kitty. Not sure whats up,,I have posted several comments on your blog,,but they are not posted. I hope your not mad at me,,I miss your visits to my blog. You were the reason I started blogging and you openned a wonderful new world for me. I do apoligize if I have not been the friend that I should have been.
My condolences to all, but especially to Don. Some cats pick a human, and that's that. I'm a little older, so I've had to do the Angel of Death thing in our family too many times. It never feels good, even when it means easing an animal's suffering. It's part of mothering, I'm afraid.
Beth, I wrote you privately but I wanted to say something here too. I haven't been leaving comments around much. Pretty much my frame of mind more than anything else. What is really strange is that I have not received any of your comments, though thank goodness this one showed up or I would have never known. I'll drop in again soon and this time I won't lurk. So sorry this happened. Hugs, Annie
Annie, how sad to say goodbye to a dear treasured friend...we also said goodbye to our moggy (that was her name) just this year and I know how it felt.
Thanks so much for your lovely comments about the chocolate swap I am pleased you will enjoy it for a good long time and yes that was a couple of the chocolate buyers, I have eight little grand children and three were with me that day.
I will tell them next Monday that they arrived at your door as Jesse wanted to know what plane they would be travelling in. I said a jumbo and he wanted to also know if you had children to help eat the chocolates too otherwise you might get a bit sick like his sister does when she eats too much.
Mind you they are all eight of them under 5 years old! :o)
I also wish to thank you for your kind comments left on my blog and look forward to many long chats.
Lee-ann
Oh Annie, I'm so sorry for your family's loss. You gave her a good life.
HUGS
poor paw kitty, at least she had a lovely life with you. Can't say any more that ver ysad first photo has started me crying
A hard day for your family, but a good feeling to know how you improved that little one's life during her time with you :)
You take care of yourselves
So sorry for your loss! It is so heartbreaking to lose an animal companion. Sounds like she had a wonderful life with you!
Oh Annie! You have touched the tip of the iceberg and yet grab it full on with that last line!
You know my eyes are welled with tears after reading this entry Annie. My thoughts
and prayers were with you that day and I'm glad you had a moment to call me while
you (we) were at the vet's office.
Love and prayers to both your Paw Kitty and our Red
Cat, what a sad week for our babies.
This story touched me so deeply.
You are a sweet angel and I am glad you were there to usher Paw Kitty to a peaceful rest from illness.
XOXO
Paw Kitty knew the best family to choose would be yours... and she made her way into your hearts and home. I'm so sorry for your loss. Our cats (and other pets) are pure treasures from heaven. My heart goes out to you and Don.
I'm so sorry to hear about Paw Kitty. You saved her from a terrible fate, and gave her ten years of love. That leaves an empty spot for sure.
Annie- I am sure I was here last week and left a note about your kitty.
Something either I am doing wrong or Blogger is...
But I wanted to tell you I was soo sad to see this post and I am terribly sorry to hear of your loss.
Thinking of you.
Much love, S.
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