Wednesday, April 8, 2009

a sad day.....

Tiffany.... a very special girl. I loved her from very close up when I visited...and from very far away the rest of the time.














This is a pic of her from last summer when I visited my sister and got to play with all of the cats and the horses. Much as I suppose I should not admit to having a favourite... she was mine. She would sit beside me for hours..just enjoying the company... getting sleepy looking and finally her head would droop to her paws and she would doze for a bit.. but, somehow, still vigilant, and always ready to follow and check out what you were up to if you moved or went somewhere else. Her whites were sooo snow white and her coat always luxurious and fastidiously cleaned... sometimes she cleaned her soft tummy so well that she had it totally bare in a few spots... we never did know why she did that. We chalked it up to nerves although she seemed so calm it was still strange to think it could be that. Maybe it was just a bit of OCD.... and she was like my sister... overzealous with cleaning....

Sadly, two days ago she finally succumbed to a mysterious illness.... nobody could find anything at all to indicate what it was despite x-rays and continuing blood work... She had not much interest in eating for the past few months and was losing a lot of weight... but my sister made every effort to entice her with every imaginable food many times a day. She was able to coax her to lick a bit on this and that.....and Tiffany did her very best to comply even if she seemed a bit confused that anybody would offer her so many food choices. She would look at her as if to say...okay Mom..I'll give it a try. She was still bright, alert and tried to play the "light" game with mirror reflected light ..or to jump up on to the picky post and bat around the little furry mouse... but did get quite tired and slept a lot in a special bed made for her in a quiet room. Her coat was still as luxurious as possible... which seemed a bit unusual if she was not healthy. It was all just weird.
We have all been down the road before. Finally forced to make gut wrenching decisions... and as Vikki said, "despite my best song and dance efforts"... Tiffer finally just told her it was time when she stopped eating and drinking anything at all. Her sweet vet and an assistant went to the house, gave Tiffany a sedative and then helped her to go gently to sleep for the last time. That's exactly how it went. It was completely peaceful and for that I am so grateful to those ladies. How I wish we could make the passing of humans as easy as that. It would be a blessing.
I cried for them both when I read the e-mail and then just cried myself to sleep... probably a little bit for me too, because I was not there to offer any help or any consolation. And, now.... a special little friend is gone.

She loved to hang out where you were.... looked at you with love in her heart....gave the best and gentlest little head bonkies and smeary soft kisses... ... had learned to play "tunes" on some miniature chimes for extra treats or just for the joy of hearing you say what a clever girl she was.... and then she would do it again and again for you. She had a soft and gentle purr-song when she sat on your chest and padded and picked at you like she was ever so gently plucking an expensive and beautiful harp....



























Tiffany was also a specialist in 24 hour a day caregiving. Seven years ago my sister fell and seriously injured her head. During months of lying nauseous and/or almost comatose on the couch.... just waiting to try to feel well enough to stand without vomiting or passing out.... Tiffany waited too.... she was a very special little nurse and totally instrumental in the final outcome of a long and frustrating journey back to the land of the living .....

How we'll miss your beautiful face....

19 comments:

Dolores said...

Oh what a lovely tribute to a very special member of the family. My condolences.

Sue said...

A beautiful and poignant post. Our little fur buddies are such a part of our lives, it is heartbreaking that they are only with us for a relatively short time. Tiffany was a beautiful cat and will remain so in your memories.

Daisy said...

I am so sorry that Tiffany had to go to the Rainbow Bridge. She was a very beautiful kitty, and I can tell from your heartfelt words that she was extra-special. Soft purrs to you and your sister and her family.

Serena Lewis said...

I'm writing this comment with tears streaming down my face after reading your touching and heartfelt tribute to a dear family friend. What a beautiful cat Tiffany was, inside and out. You and your sister are blessed to have such wonderful memories of Tiffany stamped on your hearts forever. (((Hugs))) and well wishes to you both.

love, light and peace,
serena

Jennifer Rose said...

she was a gorgeous cat. I am so sorry she is gone.

Sue said...

Aren't we lucky to share our lives with these angels? I'm so glad you and your sister had her in your lives, and I'm sure you made a difference in Tiffany's life, too. Blessings to you.

MaryO said...

Oh Vee, I'm so sorry for the loss of your beloved little friend. My condolences to you and to your sister, I know first hand how difficult it is to say goodbye to these dear ones.

Carole Burant said...

Sending you big hugs across the miles. Losing a beloved pet is never easy and Tiffany sounds like she was a wonderful pet for your sister to have. I know you'll all miss her but how blessed she was to have had such a loving family. xoxo

Guzzisue said...

pretty cat, you will miss her (((hugs)))

Unknown said...

What a lovely tribute to a very sweet kittycat. Sorry to hear of her passing. It's so hard to lose a little furry friend.

Lynda (Granny K) said...

So sorry.....big hugs.

Carla said...

What an exquisite tribute. I cried too. It sounded so much like my Buster. Yes, he had the sedative and went to sleep in my arms.

Susan said...

Oh Vee. We're all so sorry to hear about dear sweet Tiffany and what a lovely tribute you've written here about her. As you know well I'm no stranger to this sadness - cats and dogs just don't live long enough lives. We'll be thinking of you and Oliver is sending along some extra sweetness your way. Hope you and Mr BVee have a happy Easter weekend.
xo S & les Gang

Susan McShannon-Monteith said...

Dear Vee, I am sorry to hear of the passing of a dear sweet friend.She was a beautiful kitty.
As with all our beloved pets they seem to leave this earth far too soon.
May you and your sister find comfort in knowing that someday you will be reunited with Tiffany in a place called Heaven.
Please enjoy your Easter weekend and keep your fingers crossed on no more snow!
xo Susan

Draffin Bears said...

Oh Vee, you have made me shed a tear for your sweet Tiffany.
It is so hard when we lose a beloved pet.
What a beautiful cat, looking after your Sister, when she wasn't well.
My thoughts are with you and your Sister.

Sending hugs your way.

Carolyn

Anonymous said...

Hi V...Thank you for putting this little story on your blog especially for Tiffany. She was all that you said, and more. Our house seems too..something...right now, and I don't know what to do with myself. Cleo, who of course you know is Tiffany's sister, is quite lost, as we are. The little empty spot in our hearts will heal, and the memories will remain with us forever. When you come to visit, we can make a collage for Tiff. Cleo can help us.

Love and hugs,
Vik

Gina said...

So sorry to hear that.. a beautiful tribute to her..Gina xox

Linda Fleming said...

Aw.. poor kitty! She sounds like she was a wonderful companion and friend. It's so hard to say goodbye to our special animal friends.

Anonymous said...

That was a beautiful post, V. I'm so sorry for the loss of such a great companion for you and your family. Hugs, Diana