24 July 2010

The End of the Jihad

Before I go any further, let me thank all of you for the kind notes and words you sent about the Garden Kitty.  I will try to respond individually, but it may take some time.  And for a lot of you, I'm not sure I have an e-mail address.  Nonetheless, we appreciated your kindness.

Unfortunately, there is more bad news. We just came back [again] from the Cat Hospital, where we said goodbye to Tess. As you may or may not know, she had been diagnosed with cancer and then a few years later, with kidney disease. This was years ago, and we were told she would probably live three more years at the most. Those of you who knew Tess, though, know that she did every single thing in her life on her terms, no matter what anyone else said/wanted/thought. So we were lucky enough to have her with us for another six years. And she had been starting to slow down over the past few months, but it seems that she failed quickly when the Garden Kitty started to fail. Either in sympathy, solidarity, or just plain old coincidence, but by last night she was barely able to move, and kept crying. I stayed up with her as long as I could, and then got up to be with her early this morning. Fortunately, the dr at the Cat Hospital on duty today arrived early, and told us to bring her up as soon as we could.

So we took her with her favorite sheepskin for a bed, and her favorite toys, and talked, sang, kissed, and petted her for as long as we could. She sneezed/sniffled a few times when the dr gave her the final injection (because she is after all, Tess!), but she was very peaceful and quiet and we feel that she finally was able to relax and not think she needed to hang on for us.

We have always joked that Tess was running a Kitty Jihad and World Domination Plan (KJWDP), because she was such a character. But even the greatest masterminds have to rest sometime, and she was very tired.

Tess was also the last kitty who remembered our Molly, so although that is a sad thought for us, we are happy that The Girls are all together again.

Once again, I am asking you to hug and kiss your family of all kinds, and to keep a kind thought for our Tess. All of this has thrown us for quite a loop, but at least we know that everyone is safe, sound, and no longer sick. The Tim, Jetsam, and I have a lot of adjustments to make all of a sudden, but we are all relieved that our sweet boy and girl are in a good place.

Here is a picture of Tess, showing her sweetness and calico-nicity. She was the best ever.  Always.

God bless you, sweet girl.  Thank you for finding us.
We love you.  Forever.

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

Those calicos are certainly something. Safe journey, Tess. Much love to you, the Tim, and Jetsam. So sorry.

Chris said...

Oh, Bridget. *sniffling*

Goodbye, Tess.

SissySees said...

Oh goodness... I am SO sorry. Sis and Gretch are puzzled by my tears, but I have hugged them and explained... Our deepest sympathies to you, The Tim and poor Jetsam.

Maureen said...

Oh my, Bridget - once again, deepest sympathies to you and The Tim!!

I wish you both many happy memories of your much loved felines.

mary said...

Oh Bridget, I can only imagine how you must be feeling. I am so sorry. What a difficult and sad time this has been for you.

Good-bye sweet Tess. You certainly dominated the hearts of Bridget and Tim.

Anonymous said...

Dear God. Hug yourselves from all of us. And poor, darling Jetsam...

Carrie #K said...

Words fail. G'night, Tess. The world would've been better if you'd achieved world domination.

Lorette said...

Oh my dear. This just isn't fair. This has got to be the worst week ever for you two.

Jenn said...

Wow. I'm so sorry, big hugs for you, The Tim and Jetsam.

teabird said...

Bridget, I am so, so, so sorry. Much love to you all -

joanchicago said...

This is almost too much to bear. I am so sorry.

Kathleen Dames said...

No. Oh, I'm so sorry, Bridget. Deepest sympathy from all of us in the Dames household. However, Riley says to tell his twin Jetsam that being an only kitty has its privileges.

Mr Puffy's Knitting Blog: said...

I think it really reveals the depth of love that animals have for each other that, just like with people, when a loved companion passes often the other will soon follow.

Garden Kitty was ready to go home but that doesn't make it any easier on you two. My condolences to you and The Tim and know that this sadness will be born better for having each other.

I think with all this grief you've had it's time ND had a good season to cheer you up ;)

Lynn said...

OMG. I've had 3 kitties move on within a year's time but never 2 in less than one week. Sending you fur hugs and kitty kisses to get thru this very difficult time.

Lisa said...

Bridget, I am so terribly sorry to hear about Tess, what a sad sad week this has been. I have hugged and kissed mine in memory of Tess.

Marie said...

One again, I had to wait a day or so to comment. I'm very affected by pet deaths, even if I've never met the pets. I guess the Kitteh gods wanted their babies back. It was nice for you to have had them with you for so many years. I know what it's like to lose pets and my sympathies are with you.

craftivore said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your kitties, it's so tough to lose a pet. After my kitties died, I still kept seeing them out of the corner of my eye.

Karen W. said...

Oh no! So sad. I think animals often have a deeper connection than we realize. Guess they have gone to be companions in the beyond. Warm hugs to all of you.

Lisa S. said...

My two cats had died within days of each other as well-- one cat had kidney disease, and it seemed as if the other died of grief from the loss. I'm sorry to hear that Tess has gone, and I wish the best for you and your family during this sad time.

sprite said...

Oh, sweetie. What a lot of heartbreak for you. Sending good thoughts for the three of you...

Lorraine said...

Bridget- How can that happen? I am so sorry. Let's hope that she and GK are together playing somewhere.

knitseashore said...

It is not fair to have to go through this twice, so soon. Big hugs to you, the Tim, and Jetsam, and big boxes of Kleenex.

Marin (AntiM) said...

I'm sorry for you and the Lesbian Husband. I wish you happier days and hope Jetsam can come to peace with being an only cat for the time being.

UnderMeOxter said...

Oh Bridget! I'm so sorry. I've been away and off-line for the past three weeks and I don't think I could come back to worse news. I wish I could hug you; I'm sending one accross the ether instead. To you, The Tim and to Jetsam.

Dianne said...

Oh, no... I am so sorry, again! It sounds like Tess was quite a character, and will now be ruling the after-life! Big [[[hugs]]]

Brigitte said...

Oh no! Tess, Atticus is really going to miss you, as will so many others.

I hope you and GK are getting along nicely, and having a great ol' time. And remember to look in on your Ma and Da' too, ok?

Geek Knitter said...

Oh Bridget! I'm so very sorry for both of your losses. I've been out of touch for too long, didn't see this until today.

Be well, be kind to yourself.

Many hugs.