She was a feisty little thing and once rode one of the other cats across the living room, over the couch, across the sofa table and down the steps before being shook off. I imagine that's how she managed to survive so long on her own outside.
Recently, she lost her appetite and became jaundiced. We ran numerous tests, but couldn't find the cause. When we went on vacation, I boarded her with the vet to make sure she had the best care possible while we were gone. The vet did exploratory surgery and found a tumor blocking the bile ducts into the liver. He removed the blockage, but she died before he completed the surgery. I got the news while we were on our layover in Chicago waiting on our flight home.
Of course, I'm continually second guessing myself on whether we should have waiting until after we got home to do the surgery and I really wish I'd known what jaundice looked like in a cat, so I could have gotten her to treatment sooner.
It's taken me a week to be able to write about this, and I really miss my little girl - but I wanted to post something in her memory. I've attached some pictures. I think she still looked like a kitten.
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Comments: 14
I wish everyone would be as special as you to take in an animal in need and to give them the love and care that they so deserve. Pets come into our lives to teach us how to love and how to give ... and so many people fail at those lessons of purity of spirit. But, you have excelled. BLESS YOU!
The memory of past pets becomes part of the fabric of our lives, for each pet teaches us a new lesson in love. And with this foundation we build our own spirit; and they are forever embedded in our soul. Each and every one an indellible lesson of love.
If you like you can post this to my group "Pet memorials"
http://petmemorials.gather.com/
I adopted a rescue cat in Molly's memory; a little declawed black cat who was so scared she spent the first week or two under my bed. She wasn't quite as abused as your cat, but I consider declawing a cat the equivalent of amputation, and aside from that, after a year, her fur is still missing in large places because she licks it compulsively as a comfort thing. My other cat used to suck her thumb; Jenny overgrooms. It makes her look even scrawnier than she is. Unfortunately she hates our other cat but we've been working on it and after a year they can usually co-exist. Sometimes she's sitting on my lap purring and will suddenly attack me. All I can think of is how abused she must have been. She was only five when I adopted her, and had lived in three homes that we know of, one where she was definitely abused. Whatever happens, though, I love her and my home is her home.
I'm telling you all this (a) to share the experience of taking in a rescue cat, and (b) because sometimes when I look at Jenny Linksy (my black cat) I think of Molly, in a sweet way. It's hard not to compare them, but I know Molly would want me to save other cats, and I feel good that I am doing this in her honor.
I hope this email makes sense and doesn't sound like it's just all about me. I think you're a really strong and good person, and I hope your pain lessens in time.
I feel for you about the loss of Midnight. Sounds like she had a hard life outside and it's good to know that she found a loving, caring person to make the rest of her life comfortable and secure.
I know we all second-guess and play the could-have/should/have game, but you shouldn't blame yourself. You did everything you could for her and it's good she didn't have to suffer a long, painful illness. It takes a long time to get over the loss. It took me over a year before I could even talk about my favorite cat 'Smoky' , without crying, after he died.
In the near future, you'll find another special kitty that needs your special kind of caring.
And, will always keep Midnight in your heart.
Hugs,
Thank you for posting this to Family Pets
I'm sorry to just now be finding this post. I'm so sorry for your loss. I don't think anyone knows until they've personally lost a pet. When I lost my first pet, it was years before I could get another one. You were an excellent human to midnight and that should make you feel good. I'm sure she didn't want to leave you, but it was time. Hugs sent your way!