My sweet Rainy passed away last Monday.
Never in my life have I loved and missed a kitty so much. She was at least thirteen years old, and we only had her for three and a half years. We're not really sure what happened, though she went downhill fast over the last weekend, losing her appetite, barely moving, and weighing maybe five pounds despite all the medications for her multiple health issues. We had a mobile vet come to our home, who told us that she felt a mass in her abdomen, and agreed that "it was time." That would make two cats we've lost to IBD-intestinal lymphoma.
She was a proud little tortie who loved us fiercely. She refused to drink out of a bowl, and so we gave her a pet fountain. She loved drinking out of Poland Spring water bottles too. She slept in cardboard boxes, some with wires and nails in Chris' basement tool area, and loved nothing more than being a part of his Thursday train nights, or his bike workouts.
In those rare moments when she would sit on my lap (I was the medicine lady, after all), I felt like the most blessed woman in the world.
I am glad she is no longer suffering, and that we gave her the very best life we could, more than she maybe ever hoped for when she was first rescued, soaking wet, dehydrated, and only four pounds, on a very rainy night Oct. 2007. She brought us so much joy, laughter, comfort, and companionship, as well as being a challenge to everything I've ever learned about cat care. Yes, sometimes I got so frustrated with her "accidents" that I just wanted to put my head in my hands and cry. But I would do it all again in a heartbeat if we could have her back.
Here's to heaven, where there is no more cancer for pets or people, and no more goodbyes.
Oh, sweetie, I'm so sorry.
I wish there were something I could say to help make it better, but there just isn't.
Sending you all hugs...
Posted by: sprite | July 18, 2011 at 11:31 PM
Oh I am so sorry to read about Rainy. What beautiful words you have written about her. I do know how hard it is to lose an animal companion, but you made the right decision and she is, I believe too, in Animal Heaven!! Those are some lovely photos too. Take care.
Posted by: 2paw | July 19, 2011 at 02:04 AM
Please accept my condolences. I know how difficult it is to lose a beloved pet.
Posted by: betty | July 19, 2011 at 02:06 AM
Awww, so sorry :-(
Posted by: Martha H | July 19, 2011 at 07:56 AM
I am so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful tribute you wrote for your tortie.
Posted by: Barbara-Kay | July 19, 2011 at 08:37 AM
This makes me feel sad, though, like you, I'm glad she is not suffering. Last year when we lost the Garden Kitty, it was very quick as well, and hit me like someone hit me over the head with a lead pipe. Still feels that way a lot of the time.
God bless Rainey - I'm sure that Charlie is happy to see her.
Take care. Everyone at our house (furry and otherwise) will say a prayer for all of you.
Posted by: Bridget | July 19, 2011 at 09:28 AM
I'm so sorry about Rainy.
Posted by: Kristen | July 19, 2011 at 09:38 AM
So sorry for your loss. I know how heartbreaking it is.
Posted by: Sarah | July 19, 2011 at 09:58 AM
She was such a sweet kitty. I am so sorry for your loss. It is pretty special that you gave Rainy so much love and she gave it right back.
Posted by: Kara | July 19, 2011 at 11:47 AM
What a lovely tribute to a very sweet kitty. She will be missed.
Posted by: MrsSDC | July 19, 2011 at 12:36 PM
So sorry to hear about Rainy!
Posted by: --Deb | July 19, 2011 at 01:15 PM
Oh, I'm so sorry for your loss. It's so hard to say good-bye to a treasured companion, and Rainy sounds like such a sweet and funny girl. She was lucky to have you and Chris. That first photo is so cute -- you can see all sorts of personality in that regal pose.
Posted by: Jodi | July 19, 2011 at 03:06 PM
I'm so sorry for your loss. My heart breaks every time I hear of this, as I have two furry children that I can't imagine being without. You indeed gave Rainey the most love and best life she could have had in her time with you.
Posted by: jillian | July 19, 2011 at 03:15 PM
Oh Debbie, I'm so so so sorry. I'm sending you a huge hug. And we really should make plans to get together in person some time soon, so I can give you a hug in real life. Take care of yourself and do something to pamper yourself.
Posted by: Karen | July 19, 2011 at 09:10 PM
Oh, I am so so sorry to hear about your loss!
Debbie, I know how hard this must be for you...and please know you are in my thoughts! Love ya!
Posted by: Sara | July 20, 2011 at 12:05 AM
Debby, I was so sad to read this! Although, it isn't all the way sad, because it sounds like you gave your girl quite a sweet life. So while I'm so sorry that you're sad, I'm happy that your girl was blessed with two people who loved her :)
Posted by: Sarah | July 21, 2011 at 04:48 PM
Oh Debbie, I'm so sorry about Rainy. I know how much you loved her and I'm sure she did too. You truly did give her a wonderful life, with lots of love and freedom from want. Sending you hugs over the miles.
Posted by: Sonya | July 21, 2011 at 11:30 PM
What a sweet angel girl. I will still think of her every time it rains. We all love you, Rainy!!!
Posted by: Alice and Cali | July 22, 2011 at 03:57 AM
I am so sorry for your loss. Only two weeks ago, we put to sleep our beloved kitty of 18 years. Her health was failing and she told us it was time. That didn't make it any easier.
Your Rainey had the best home she could. She clearly loved you with all of her little kitty heart.
Posted by: Gwyndolyn O'Shaughnessy | July 22, 2011 at 01:46 PM
I'm so sorry! She had a wonderful life with you.
Posted by: Meredith | July 22, 2011 at 08:10 PM
What a pretty girl and I know how much you must miss her--they become such a big part of the family! It looks as though she had a very happy time with you--so sorry it couldn't have lasted longer!
Posted by: Danielle | July 22, 2011 at 11:14 PM
That's a beautiful post, a very fitting tribute to a wonderful pet.
Posted by: Dorothy W. | July 23, 2011 at 07:38 PM
I'm so sorry to hear about Rainy. ((hugs))
Posted by: Bubblesknits | July 24, 2011 at 02:07 PM
I'm so sorry for your loss!
Posted by: Yvonne Ellsworth | July 24, 2011 at 03:29 PM
I'm only just now catching up on some of my blog reading... I'm so, so sorry for your loss. :( Your post is a beautiful tribute to her, though.
Posted by: madalyn | July 25, 2011 at 11:52 AM
I'm so sorry. As I was reading, she reminded me of my dearly departed dilute tortie, and then when I reached her diagnosis, I was shocked. My cat also had lymphoma throughout her digestive tract. The one and only thing that made it easier for me is knowing that I made the right decision and honored her by not putting her through any more pain and suffering than necessary. Rainy was lucky to have finally found such a wonderful family with whom to live out her life.
Posted by: Susan | July 25, 2011 at 07:03 PM
Oh Debby, I'm so sorry to hear about your baby. What a beautiful tribute you've written to her. I love the last picture you've selected, too. Hugs to you.
Posted by: Robin | July 27, 2011 at 02:13 PM
So, so sorry. And I agree with the other commenter, you gave her a beautiful tribute.
Posted by: Erin | July 28, 2011 at 01:40 PM
I am so very, very sorry for your loss. Rainy was such a special girl.
Posted by: Sheepish Annie | August 03, 2011 at 06:18 PM
So sorry about your special Rainy. It is always hard to lose a pet. We get very attached to them.
Diane
Posted by: Diane | September 14, 2011 at 09:17 AM
So sorry about Rainy - torties have such wonderful personalities, I miss ours still. But you brought her in from the rain and gave her a loving home and family!
Posted by: Julia G | September 19, 2011 at 08:53 AM