Wednesday, January 13, 2010

And Now We Are Only 3 (1 Person and 2 Cats)

I am sad to say that an era has ended.  I have been dreading this day for months.  LC has joined Skeeter over the Bridge.  Skeeter joined me in 1992 and went over the Bridge Dec 2008, LC joined us in 1993 and left this afternoon.  Together, they were a major part of my life for 17 years.  I hardly know how to imagine their absence.  While LC was still here, so was Skeeter in a way.  Now she has gone too.



I give LC her thyroid med when I go to bed and when I get up in the morning.  Last night, I couldn't find her.  Well, that happens sometimes; there are lots of places in this house where kitties can hide when they want to and LC always knew when it was med time.  Ayla has some places I have NEVER discovered.  LC seldom hid, but she did a few times.


This morning, when she didn't come for breakfast, I went searching.  The past couple of months, I have often had to find her and bring her food to her.  I couldn't find her anywhere.  After 30 minutes of searching, with dread in my heart, I spied a tail.  She had burrowed into a corner of basement clutter.  When I shook her, she did not move.


I went upstairs and cried.  After a while, I went back downstairs to retrieve her body.  She was completely unmoving.  But when I pulled her out, she was warm.  She blinked one eye.  She was at the vet 5 minutes later, though essentially comatose.  The vet put her on fluids immediately and drew blood for tests.  He sent me home. 


An hour later, the vet called and said she had died.  He said she had roused a bit after the fluids but that at one of their every-10-minute checks, she was gone. 

Oh LC, I am so sorry that I wasn't there in your last minutes.  I wish I had just kept you home and held you until your brave spirit left your failing body so you could leave while in my arms as Skeeter did.  But I had to try to save you for a few more days...


I do not think she was at all aware of her surroundings.  The vet says she died from a kidney infection; her white blood cell count was very high.  He says she was not in any pain, just was feeling very very tired.


When I went to bring her home, the vet had tears in his eyes too.  The assistant who brought her to me was also crying.   She knows how I felt because she said she lost her 5 kitties in a house fire last week.  We cried together for a few minutes.  But I had to leave...


At home, I laid LC on the floor for Ayla and Iza to examine.  Iza sniffed her many times.  Ayla came over, but backed away and ran into the kitty condo cave.  She stayed in there an hour.  I think they understood that LC was no longer in her body.  It is important to me that they understand that she is dead rather than "missing".



 I went outside to dig a spot for LC next to Skeeter, but the ground is frozen hard.  I can't handle this today.  Tommorrow, I will try pouring hot water on the soil to thaw it.  For now, I need to build a small memorial box like Skeeter's.



They were beloved close companions (and mine) all their lives, their bodies will be close to each other afterwards.  It's all I can do at this point...

Please forgive my maundering and inelegant post.  I am grieving the loss of their presence and my memory of them.  I had so many happy years with both of them.  It is hard to accept that they are BOTH now gone.   17 years is a long time to share with cat-friends, and I am grateful for that time together.  They exist only in my heart and mind, treasured pictures, and their memorials.

Goodbye Skeeter and LC...

I think I will now go toss toys to Ayla and Iza, and explain to them that they are the "new era" now...

30 comments:

KC and the Giggleman Kitties said...

We are so sorry to hear the sad news, at least she and Skeeter are running free now.
It is indeed the end of an era.
Love,
ML

Cory said...

I am so sorry to hear about LC. We loved her and know that she is with Skeeter at the Bridge.

Teri and her Stylish Adventure Cats said...

This poem comforted me, when I lost my beloved Bo, and I hope it does for you also. You are a warm and caring man and the love your cats show to you is reflected in your tender care. Life will always have it's regrets, but LC knew she was loved...remember that as Ayla and Iza help you heal.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And God asked the feline spirit
Are you ready to come home?
Oh, yes, quite so, replied the precious soul
And, as a cat, you know I am most able
To decide anything for myself.

Are you coming then? asked God.
Soon, replied the whiskered angel
But I must come slowly
For my human friends are troubled
For you see, they need me, quite certainly.

But don't they understand? asked God
That you'll never leave them?
That your souls are intertwined. For all eternity?
That nothing is created or destroyed?
It just is....forever and ever and ever.

Eventually they will understand,
Replied the glorious cat
For I will whisper into their hearts
That I am always with them
I just am....forever and ever and ever.

Max said...

I was hoping you would have a few more days, at least a week, with LC before she listened to Skeeter's call.

I'll miss her; she was one of my favorite kitties of the blogosphere, and it's going to seem a little bit smaller now. But, I'll treasure the idea that she and Skeeter are together again and just relaxing together while they wait.

~Thumper, Max's "woman"

Ivan from WMD said...

We loved Teri's poem. How comforting.

Right after Eddie died, Mom laid him out for us to all say goodbye, too. I think that helped all of us understand that he'd left his body behind.

Goodbye, sweet LC.

Motor Home Cats said...

Mark, I am so very sorry to hear that LC left for the bridge. I know how devistating it can be to suddenly lose a beloved friend. When Tiki was helped to the bridge, I brought him home so that Tavi could say goodbye to his brother and littermate. I think it made Tavi's greiving a little easier.

As for LC, she knows how much you loved her, and will be waiting for you. You were a wonderful dad to her.

Tara (Mom to Camie's Kitties)

Ellie and her three cats said...

we are verry sorry our moms eyes leaked quite a bit when she heard. but we know LC is in a better place and haveing fun till you and her other buddies join up.

Milo, Alfie and our Mom said...

We are so very sorry to hear this sad news. Our only consolation is that Skeeter and LC are now together at the Bridge ~ we hope you too can draw comfort from that.

17 years is a very long time ~ and Mom says she understands how you feel. Her last beloved cat Henry died aged almost 20 years old and she's had from when he was 8 weeks old. She said it's like losing part of yourself when a precious cat dies. The grieving is acute and painful ~ and you never stop missing them. But eventually, you are able to recall the good times, and know that you shared 17 wonderful years with a much loved cat ~ and nobody can ever take that away. They remain in your heart forever.

So please accept our heartfelt condolances for the loss of dear much loved little LC, and also know we are thinking of sweet little Skeeter too. RIP both.

((((((((HUGS)))))))))

Parker said...

Mark, a poem has brought me comfort in the past and I posted it for Skeeter over a year ago. Today I shall fo the same for your beloved LC - know that you are in Scott and I's prayers,
Helen

The Meezers or Billy said...

oh Mark, I'm so very sorry. I remember that "end of an era" feeling when Trixie went to the Bridge. Skeeter and LC were with you for a very long time, a large chunk of your life. I know it's hard to imagine neither of them being there anymore. {{{{HUGS}}}} from all of us - Mary, Sammy, Miles, Billy and Nicky

The Florida Furkids said...

I'm so sorry to hear about LC leaving for the Bridge. It's always so hard to lose a furkid.

Sniffie and the Florida Furkids and Mom Sharon

Gattina said...

There is nothing to forgive ! everybody has the right to express its grief ! I know it hurts very much and you will miss LC everyday but fortunately with the time it hurts less and less and finally you only have the good memories. Cats mostly die because of kidney troubles. My Lisa is now 18, and some day I also will have to say good bye. I burried already two cats, they shared my life for 20 years (not at the same time) but they are still with me.

Daisy said...

I'm so sorry for the loss of LC. I know she is running free and playing with Skeeter now, and they are happy to be together. My sincerest condolences to you.

Gemini and Ichiro said...

We did that for our cats too--to let them know that their loved one had not just disappeared but was really gone.

We are so sad for you right now. We know that we will all be reunited over the bridge.

The Island Cats said...

Mark, we are so very sorry about LC...please know that we are thinking about you during this sad time...

Wally, Ernie, Zoey and mom Sue

Unknown said...

Do not put blame on yourself and feel comfort in knowing she did what she wanted. ((((hugs))))

She made her 50,000 comment contest! And we were part of that, thank you LC!!

Mom Laure

sammawow said...

My heart goes out to you in the loss of LC. I'm so glad that you have Ayla and Iza and the consolation that now Skeeter and LC are reunited.

Sincere condolences to all of you,
Mom Teri, China Cat and Willow

Niko and Cloud said...

I am so sorry for your loss, Mark. May LC and Skeeter run free in your heart forever.
Hugs,
Kat (and gentle purrs from Niko and Cloud)

Jans Funny Farm said...

We are so sorry about LC. We know it is painful for you to write about her and Skeeter. Warm purrs and tail wags.

Whimpurr said...

My heart breaks for you! :( ((((HUGS))))

ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

17 years...a wonderful long time filled with lots of beautiful cherished memories, but still not long enough. Our hearts break for you and I wanted to share this thought I came across and I hope it will help in some small way...

The truest words of all: I will not forget you. You are in my waking thoughts, my sweetest memories, my dearest dreams. I will not forget you. You have touched my soul, opened my eyes, changed my very experience of the universe. I will not forget you. I see you in the flowers, the sunset, the sweep of the horizon and all things that stretch to infinity. I will not forget you. I have carved you on the palm of my hand. I carry you with me forever.
— Ellen Sue Stern

deepest purrs
Abby,Boo,Ping,Jinx,Gracie and Mom Debra

Fat Eric said...

So sorry to hear about LC. It's very hard to lose a friend after so long. Please give Ayla and Iza some scritches from me.

Kate (Fat Eric's mum)

DK & The Fluffies said...

Rest little one and we will see you one day. ~ Sophia, Fiona Bun, Orlando and DKM

Midori said...

Sending you my deepest sympathy and kindest thoughts. I lit a candle in LC's memory this morning. Dear LC will always have a place in our hearts and memories.

Thinking of you with sympathy,

Midori and kitties

Alastriona, The Cats and Dogs said...

I am so sorry that LC has gone to the bridge. Words seem so inadequate to express the sympathy I feel. LC looked very peaceful in the photo and I am glad that Ayla and Iza had a chance to say goodbye. ~Alasandra

Nikita Cat said...

Absolutely no need to apologize {{{{Cavebear}}}}!

What a sad, yet, moving post!

And the pictures just touched Daddy & I very much.

We send our Purrs & Purrayers to you, and your family.

Anonymous said...

I went to reread your kitty blog
And it is gone . I love reading about
the two who went over the bridge
over and over!
Will it be back? Please
Thank you for sharing your life with us
it has made great reading .
Sorry for your loss , I know how it is
as in the last 55 years there have been
more than a few who left before me.
Memories are all that is left for me.
klk0717@gmail.com
Kay lee Kelly

Anonymous said...

As one who has five dogs, two VERY elderly, I fear undergoing your pain almost daily.

However, It wouldn't hurt as much if we hadn't received so much love from them. Its a hard, but fair trade.

Soon the good times will overshadow the pain. Only time will heal tge loss.

da bear

Jacqueline said...

So very sad...I have seen my animals grieve and I agree with you about allowing your remaining animals to examine the one who has passed=I really think they need that understanding...I have been where you are and am extemely sorry for your loss.

Samantha & Mom said...

Thanks for this post!! We will miss LC a lot at the TGH and she & Skeeter were one of our (Mr. Tigger and me) first furiends at the CB!! Our purrrs and hugs are with you all!!
Your TX furiends,

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