Thursday, August 1, 2013

Soft Kitty, Pretty Kitty

As you may have read in my post day before yesterday, our beloved cat Lucy was doing very badly so Dayle took her to the vet to see what was wrong.  I went swimming and tried hard not to cry while I swam back and forth.  After swimming I went to Craft Warehouse and selected some more fabric for my yo-yo project.. when I was checking out Dayle called and told me.. it was not good.. her kidneys had shut down and were filled with tumors.  With lots of tears from us both, the decision was made to free our sweet little girl from her misery.  Sigh.
Lucy had a nice long life for a cat.  Shall I tell you the story of how she became mine?  My Dad's girlfriend, Betty, knew I'd been wanting a cat.  I got a call from her she asked me if I wanted a cat from someone in her family who was looking for a home for her.  I said, "What kind of cat is she?", Betty said, "I don't know, but they paid $500 for her."  :-)  So, I figured that any cat that cost that must be a good cat.  I made arrangements to meet the girl giving her away at Betty's that evening.  
When she opened the box I was slightly worried that I'd made a bad decision as all I could see were mottled ears and a funny face.. I thought there was something wrong with her, but I took her anyway. 
Her owner who'd paid so much for her had big plans of breeding her and making some $$ for the kittens, but she'd gotten loose and mated with a neighborhood cat and the woman was so upset with her she gave the cat and kittens to her daughter.  The daughter fell in love with one of the kittens and decided to give Lucy away - and that's how she came to be mine. 
When I brought her home to my houseboat and had a good look and she was small, sad and scared.. and hungry.  Her old home had a bunch of big dogs and other cats and I don't think she got much to eat.  She hid for the first hours but made herself at home quickly and enjoyed not having to fight for her dinner. 
She got big and beautiful and has been a joy for the 13 years that I had her.  The dog claims my left thigh to sleep on while I watch tv or use my laptop computer.  Lucy would decide to come up and join us on many an occasion, it was a bit crowded. :-)  We had Lucy already when we got Buddy (our Cairn Terrier) 10 years ago - so she was like a sister to him, they had an odd relationship, but I know they loved each other.  
We had my great grandmother's baby chair by the TV and I looked up and there was Lucy, looking beautiful.
During the winter while we warm our house with the wood pellet stove, she'd often be found on top of it keeping warm. 
She was fascinated with my art and craft projects.. here she is watching me make my Alicia Paulson Maggie Maria Bunny...  
But mostly she love when I knitted or crocheted, watching the yarn move around intently.  She was so cute.  Dayle thought that she looked mean.. but not me.. I saw the beauty in her. 
Dayle took it real hard having to be the one to take her to the vet and talk to me for us to make the decision, he was embarrassed at the vets as he told me he cried like a little girl when he held and petted her as they were giving her the shots.  He is such a good man as he knew how hard it would be for me to be there so he took care of things so I wouldn't have to... He dug a grave at the top of our waterfall and buried her there.  ::sigh:: 
He moved his favorite garden statue and placed it right above her grave.  She was a Tortoise Point Himalayan so he thought the Chinese warrior would be an appropriate guard and headstone for our beloved kitty.
And so.. there is something missing in our home.  She was always there, sleeping somewhere, playing "let the dog chase me" game, slinking through the room, sitting on my lap.  ::sigh::

Soft kitty, pretty kitty, little ball of fur, happy kitty, sleepy kitty, purr, purr, purr. 

Soft Kitty lyrics, from the Big Bang Theory TV program

53 comments:

  1. I just found your blog today and this post made me cry:( Sorry for your loss! 13 years is such a long time to have a pet.

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  2. Oh no, Im so sorry to hear your sad news Teresa. But what a wonderful life she had with you and your family.

    And Dayle has been a real hero, it is horrible having to have a pet put to sleep, but so much better than letting them suffer.

    Helenxx

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  3. So sorry for your loss. What a touching tribute to your beautiful kitty!

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  4. Dear Teresa - I am so sorry to hear about the loss of Lucy. I know you miss her very much. Your pictures and stories are such a tribute to her - I can see that she was a special kitty. Big hugs coming to you across the miles <3
    -DianeM

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  5. I loved to see her little face on your blog and it's so sad to hear of your loss. What a wonderful life she had with you, the best a cat could have had. X

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  6. Another ... Gentlest hug. ... Losing the ones you love is so hard and I am so sorry you have had to say goodbye xxx

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  7. Oh Teresa, my heart breaks for you. Such a fitting tribute you gave us. I hope that writing about Lucy gave you peace, although I am sure many tears were shed during that post. You and your husband are amazing. He obviously had a very special place in his heart as well! Such a beautiful final resting place near the waterfall .Lucys Fall perhaps? Hugs to you this time Teresa.

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  8. Oh, Teresa. I am so sorry. She was a beautiful girl and I know you will miss her. Many (((HUGS))) to you and Dayle. We had to say goodbye to our dog a year ago this month and I know how hard it is. You are both in my thoughts.

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  9. Beautiful story so sorry for your loss my heart aches for you.

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  10. Oh Teresa I am so sad for you and Dayle. I know how muched you loved her and I'm sure she knew as well. A beautiful resting place and tribute you have written. I cried buckets when we had to have our puss put to sleep but it wa the kindest thing to do. Love and hugs to you both. Anne x

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  11. Oh my dear friend.....I am so very sorry for your loss. I know exactly how you feel. We have had many a pet that has stolen our hearts. She was such a beauty!! I know how much you loved her. The way you told her story was lovely. She had a wonderful home with you and Dayle .
    Big Hugs....
    xo Kris

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  12. I am so sorry, I know how hard it is to lose our beloved furry family members. XOXO

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  13. AWw Teresa I'm so sorry about Lucy :'( What a beautiful ball of fur she was! My uncle & aunty have a long haired cat, he's a nightmare to groom when his fur gets matted, was Lucy the same? I'm glad she gave you such joy for 13 (!) years, but I suspect you gave her much much more :) It's really sad though

    Have loved catching up with what's been going on where you are. As always your garden looks stunning, so much colour and life going on there!!

    My boyfriends family would be very envious of the photo of your grandchildren! Theirs are a lot younger but they've failed at every attempt to get a decent photo of them all together, it's so disastrous it's funny!

    Lastly I can't believe you're making Christmas things!!! I know you have to start these things early, but here it's roasting and the last thing I want to think about is Christmas :p For once here in England we seem to be having an actual summer! Sunshine, warmth & everything :o

    xx

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  14. Sending you and Dayle hugs...and I am crying for your loss. Thank you for sharing Lucy with us and creating this post.
    Love,
    Gracie

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  15. So sorry to hear about the loss of your dear Lucy. She was a pretty kitty with such a sweet face and beautiful eyes. It's so hard to lose our furry family members. We just lost our dear Duchess right before Christmas. It was devastating. But, it does get easier. And, it looks like you have a wonderful doggy to hug and love. We noticed that our dog was sad when we lost our cat and she was very clingy for a while. It was so sweet how she'd stay close and often put her paw on our hand or knee to express her love. :-) Take care! Hugs!

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  16. Ohhhhh Teresa! I am crying like a little girl just reading this! But that seems to be how my week has been! Lots of tears shed! I think the deaths of our pets are even harder than those of people sometimes! They love us so unconditionally...and we return that love. It's such a gift...and it hurts so terribly to have it gone! I'm sending you hugs. Lucy was a beauty!...such a beauty! She was lucky to have found you...and, I think, vice versa! My condolences, dear blog friend. xo, Annette

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  17. So sorry to hear about your kitty Teresa so very sad but take comfort in the fact that she had a wonderful life filled with lots of love. :)

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  18. I am just SO sorry Teresa. Tears are streaming down my face as I read this beautiful tribute to precious Lucy. Each time in my life that I have lost a beloved pet I say, NO MORE! And then another steals my heart. I know that it's much too soon for that for you my friend, but it will happen again because you have a big beautiful loving heart with lots of room. I'm hugging both you and Dayle right now from far away.

    What a fitting place for her to be and Dayle is a sweetheart of a man to take care of everything for you. When we lost our precious dog Annie a few years ago, Alex didn't want me to go along because he knew I would be a mess and Hubby was working out of the country. He wanted to take care of me, my big 18 year old. Guess who almost carried who out of the Vet's office? A good man isn't afraid of a few tears and Dayle is a GREAT man.

    Prayers and love to you my friend,

    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  19. The good Lord has a very beautiful kitty to sit on His knee tonight. I know you are sad and will always see her here and there because she'll always be in your heart and mind.
    So sorry.

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  20. Oh, Teresa. I am so sorry that you lost your kitty. I know how much your heart hurts and that there is really nothing that makes it better but time. She was such a beautiful cat. Hugs to you and Dale. I hurt for you both.

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  21. Words cannot express how sad I feel. I'm so very very sorry for your loss. Big hugs xoxox

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  22. Have to say that I have shed some tears over Lucy. She had such a lovely life and was so happy to live where she did---I just know it. Only time will ease your grief but it will happen. She will always live in your heart.

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  23. Without sounding dramatic Teresa, I am literally sobbing my heart out here for you as I type. It's such a massive wrench to lose a beloved pet. Your loss is felt amongst all those that love and adore their own furry friends. I lost my beautiful boy 'cookie' nearly 4 years ago and it still pains me today. His brother 'jamie' is still with us, but for how much longer I don't know. I'm dreading the inevitable. Just remember Lucy will be waiting for you at Rainbow Bridge xx

    http://onmyfrontporch.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/rainbow_bridge.jpg

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  24. I'm supposed to be cooking, but I saw this post was about Lucy and everything else was put on hold.
    I had such high hopes they would be able to help her...I know so many of us did. You, your hubby, Buddy dog will all be in my thoughts tonight Teresa. Sending you hugs and prayers; so wishing I could do more to ease your pain.
    Blessings,
    Aimee

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  25. Our pets are part of our family and it does hurt to lose them. Each and every one is special and has their own personality. They give us companionship and that unconditional love we all talk about and crave. I'm glad you have plenty of pictures of her and so many good memories. She was a lovely cat and that sweet face is one of a kind. I know just from reading your post how much you loved her. You were both lucky, you for having found her, and she for having you to love her.
    (((HUGS))) Susanne ♥

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  26. Oh Mrs. Teresa I am so sorry for your loss! She was a beauty. We lost our kitty Smokey two weeks ago. He was poisoned. I watched him being born and I watched him take his last breath.

    Again..I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope Buddy isn't too lost without her.

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  27. she was beautiful. sorry about your loss.

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  28. So sad and I must say I have shed many tears reading this. Hugs to you all
    and he is a wonderful man Dayle. She will always be there in your memories as
    I have with a few of my dear kitty's over the years xoxo

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  29. So sorry to hear about your kitty. Our chihuahua went to his heavenly reward on Sunday. We'll both get through this. Hugs to you.

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  30. It so difficult to lose a beloved pet. My thoughts are with you.

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  31. Oh so sorry for your loss. she was gorgeous!!!

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  32. So sorry about your loss. Pets do become part of the family.

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  33. Yes and yes and yes..it is so hard to love a beloved member of your family.
    My heart does understand and sends love to you and Dayle.
    We do have a pet cemetery here..so many beloved ones in the last 33 years.
    May your pain be eased in the months to come. Sending love.

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  34. Oh dear.....I'm so sorry to hear such sad news.:-( She certainly was a beautiful kitty and I know so well what you are going through right now. I've been there so many times myself. You gave her a wonderful loving home for all those years and you've found a wonderful resting place for her near your beautiful pond. My heart goes out to you and your family. sigh

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  35. Hi Teresa, Oh My!!!I have cried my eyes out reading this post!!!Just about 2 years ago we were in the very same situation!!!Our beloved cat Porche whom had lived with us for 21 years had a stroke and had to be put down as well!!!We got her about a month after we got married and she was like a baby to us,long before we even thought about a family ourselves!!!She is still so dearly missed every single day!!!Hope you and Dayle will be OK!!!I love her little spot at the waterfall with a warrior protecting it!!!Have a good weekend!!!
    Love
    AMarie

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  36. I am so very sorry to hear this news, Teresa. It's a very hard decision to make, and that will never be easy for any pet owner :( (we have had to make that decision a few times now, it is completely heartbreaking). Lucy was such a gorgeous kitty and how lucky she was finding such a loving home as yours! It looks like you have had many happy times together. She looks like a full Persian (which are a lot of money to buy!) but they are such beautiful cats and I love their smaller faces and button noses. We had a cat called Lucy who was half Persian, so she had the same fur as your Lucy, but with a longer face. She was the loveliest cat but she has not been with us for sometime now. My heart goes out to you and your family. x

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  37. Dear Teresa...so sad to hear you have lost your beautiful Lucy...it's so hard to loose a beloved pet but I know she will have had the most wonderful life with you lovely friend!
    Take care,
    Susan x
    P.S Love the header pic of all your little grandchildren together ♥

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  38. Dear Teresa I am so sorry for you and Dayle at the loss of your sweet kitty. You certainly gave her a good life though and took such good care of her right to the end.
    Sending hugs.
    Helen x

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  39. Oh Teresa, I'm so sorry for you and your family, to have to say goodbye to the beautiful Lucy. As a fellow cat lover, I know how special they become to us and of course, you'll feel a big void in your life right now. Your tribute to her was lovely to read, it's clear she gave you much pleasure, and you her. What a brave man your husband has been, too.
    Hen xxx

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  40. I'm so sorry to hear this Teresa, our pets are our extended family. Sending a big hug but what a lucky cat Lucy was to find such a wonderful home and long life with you xx

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  41. I am so sorry for your loss Teresa . Lucy was a beautiful kitty. Your husband was so brave to handle that all on his own. She had many years of love with you.
    ~ hugs, Patti

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  42. Oh my dear friend, I am so sorry for your loss. Lucy was a beauty and she did not look mean at all, rather perplexed I think. She had a fantastic life and I am so glad you and Dayle rescued her and gave her the loving home she deserved. I know you are both so sad, I bet Buddy is, too.
    Hang in there Teresa, I am sending you both a lot of love.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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  43. So sorry for the loss of your little girl. That's so hard to deal with.

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  44. I'm so sorry to hear about your kitty. She looks adorable in your photos. Thinking of you,
    Anne xx

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  45. So sorry to hear about your sweet kitty. It is always hard to lose a beloved pet.

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  46. Teresa..I'm so so sorry tears running down my face as I write such a beauty she was...sending you all lots of hugs xx thinking of you both such a loss x

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  47. Oh,Teresa, I am so sorry. There must be a huge hole in your lives and home! How good your husband is to shoulder all of that for you and what a beautiful resting place for her. Cats are so independent but they weave a place in our hearts. I had my daughters' cat staying for a while last year whilst they moved to London,...I think she was hoping we would like to keep her...she, too, was a very expensive cat...a Bengal...but I found that I was allergic to cats as my asthma got much worse so we had to hand her back. It was very hard and I still have a feeling that she is sitting behind me on the back of my chair...breathing down my neck! Sweet hugs. Joan

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  48. Dear Teresa, I am so sorry Lucy had to leave you. She was such a beauty. We lost two of our older cats this past year, so lonely without them. I love where Dayle buried her and the headstone is so fitting, now it looks down over the pond. Lucy is free to roam around now and play in the cool grasses. She'll be there with you when you sit down to knit, Annette Tracy

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  49. I am so, so sorry Teresa. She was a beautiful girl and you took her in and gave her a loving home. She loved you in return and everyone was blessed. Please know I am thinking of you. Losing a beloved pet is devastating.

    xo
    Claudia

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  50. Oh my dear friend...I'm so very sorry for your loss. I know how hard it is to loose one of our close and beloved animals. They are like one of our children. They are part of our family. I'm soo very sorry you had to go throught it and I hope you know I'm thinking of you and Dayle and wishing your heart can heal from such a loss. She is always going to be near you and in your hearts.
    I don't know how it happened but I'm sorry I didn't see this post sooner. I hope to see you soon.

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  51. Dear Theresa and you Dear Husband,
    I'm so sad for you and your lovely Lucy.
    I think, she is always there with you !
    In the garden, in the house, close to you when you are seat or when you walk.
    But she missed so much.
    So many remember of her (pictures, funny times, tenders moments with her, etc.)

    For me Reader, I so often saw her, that I'm really sad too.
    I wish you a lot of courage and a lighter heart as soon as possible.
    (She is a nice cat, leaving just after the depart of your grand-children.)
    You gave her all you love and her too.
    Thinking of you.
    Julie

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  52. Oh dear, I'm so sorry for your loss. It's so hard t loose a beloved animal. I still remember the pain, though my cat died 20 years ago. My thoughts are with you. And Dayle did find a beautiful place for her grave. Hugs, Gerda

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