That’s Moonshadow, who the skunks adore. She was a rescue. When I got her at two months she’d been caught in a dog fight, had a severe hernia in her belly, and the intense skittishness that accompanies early trauma. The vet said she had numerous health issues and wouldn’t last a year.
I have a deep conviction that, when given half a chance, and sometimes much less, life will. It wants to be, wants to thrive. Add love to the mix and everything is possible.
Fourteen years later, The Mink as I call her (which is in no way short for The Goddess Empress, a.k.a. She Who Walks the Earth in Feline Form and Rules All) is happy as can be and looks lovely.
But all’s not well on the inside. A year ago she was diagnosed with CRF, Chronic Renal Failure. I’ve been giving her subcutaneous fluids since and, despite a risky surgical procedure during which she had six teeth removed and was under anesthesia for four hours, her CRE and BUN levels returned to the normal range for awhile.
They’re high again now, and it kills me. I long for the swift kindness of a heart attack, or maybe the cougar to come out of the woods and devour her in one bite, without pain. I know where CRF goes, how it ends, and I dread it.
Those of us who love animals see little distinction between a human spirit and an animal one. Except that I've often seen more heart and soul in a cat’s eyes, than many humans.
Call it what you will, she’s been in my life for fourteen years, making me laugh, playing, purring, a constant, loving part of my world, and one day that world will have a nine pound hole ripped in it. Are we such fools or optimists that we assume the burden of loving, when the odds are stacked against us from the beginning that we will outlive them?
Monday morning she goes in for surgery again and her blood work doesn’t look good. Any positive energy beamed her way is much appreciated!
I’ve asked Leiha to start a new room at my message board where I invite you to post pictures of your cats, dogs, birds, turtles, whatever it is you have, and tell us about them.
Here’s a cool site I visit every morning to click the purple button: The Animal Rescue Site. You can click once a day, every day, and it generates food for animals in need. There are other worthy causes there as well.
On a brighter note, I’ve confirmed two appearances this year.
April 25-April 27th I’m attending the In The Company of Writer’s Retreat in Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia, and there may be, (will confirm soon) a booksigning on Thursday, April 24th at Turn the Page Bookstore Café in Boonsboro, MD. (Nora Robert’s husband’s bookstore.)
July 30-August 2: I’ll be at RWA and will be signing at the Literacy Signing. We’ll post these at my website soon, and also remind you in monthly newsletters.
Stay tuned for the exciting news I mentioned in an earlier blog. According to my agent, it’s coming soon. I can’t wait to share it with you all!
I have a deep conviction that, when given half a chance, and sometimes much less, life will. It wants to be, wants to thrive. Add love to the mix and everything is possible.
Fourteen years later, The Mink as I call her (which is in no way short for The Goddess Empress, a.k.a. She Who Walks the Earth in Feline Form and Rules All) is happy as can be and looks lovely.
But all’s not well on the inside. A year ago she was diagnosed with CRF, Chronic Renal Failure. I’ve been giving her subcutaneous fluids since and, despite a risky surgical procedure during which she had six teeth removed and was under anesthesia for four hours, her CRE and BUN levels returned to the normal range for awhile.
They’re high again now, and it kills me. I long for the swift kindness of a heart attack, or maybe the cougar to come out of the woods and devour her in one bite, without pain. I know where CRF goes, how it ends, and I dread it.
Those of us who love animals see little distinction between a human spirit and an animal one. Except that I've often seen more heart and soul in a cat’s eyes, than many humans.
Call it what you will, she’s been in my life for fourteen years, making me laugh, playing, purring, a constant, loving part of my world, and one day that world will have a nine pound hole ripped in it. Are we such fools or optimists that we assume the burden of loving, when the odds are stacked against us from the beginning that we will outlive them?
Monday morning she goes in for surgery again and her blood work doesn’t look good. Any positive energy beamed her way is much appreciated!
I’ve asked Leiha to start a new room at my message board where I invite you to post pictures of your cats, dogs, birds, turtles, whatever it is you have, and tell us about them.
Here’s a cool site I visit every morning to click the purple button: The Animal Rescue Site. You can click once a day, every day, and it generates food for animals in need. There are other worthy causes there as well.
On a brighter note, I’ve confirmed two appearances this year.
April 25-April 27th I’m attending the In The Company of Writer’s Retreat in Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia, and there may be, (will confirm soon) a booksigning on Thursday, April 24th at Turn the Page Bookstore Café in Boonsboro, MD. (Nora Robert’s husband’s bookstore.)
July 30-August 2: I’ll be at RWA and will be signing at the Literacy Signing. We’ll post these at my website soon, and also remind you in monthly newsletters.
Stay tuned for the exciting news I mentioned in an earlier blog. According to my agent, it’s coming soon. I can’t wait to share it with you all!
15 comments:
Poor Miss Moonie and poor Karen. Hugs to both of you. I too, wish Moonie could go as fast as my cat did two years ago. One minute she was lying on my stomach purring and the next she was on the floor gone. Massive heart attack. It may sound morbid, but I wish all of my previous animals had gone that way and I didn't have to play God. We are here for you anytime for the shoulder to cry on, a major rant, anything. I will be keeping Moonie,you and Neil in my thoughts and prayers. Please let us know how it goes.
Lots of hugs sent your way, Karen. I know that there are a lot of people who treat their cats and dogs as if they were their own children. Sending lots of love and positive energy sent your way to Moonie. Please let us know how she is doing. To your good health, have a great new year Karen.
Maria
Lots of positive energy and good vibes coming at you for Moonie! Our fur babies are important part of our family. They don't judge and give great comfort when things seem bleakest. They love unconditionally.
"Grief is not a sign of weakness, It is the price of love."
I think it's worth it. She made you happy for 14 years & I know you made her happy & provided her with a better life than most animals can hope for. She'll always live on in BTHM. I truly don't believe she could have gotten a better owner.
To add another quote:
"Memory is the power to gather roses in winter"
I have found that it is more often than not that your cat becomes your child. Always accepting, always caring, and always there. I will send prayers and karma to both you and your baby. If it comes to pass that she leaves your life, try to remember that you saved her and gifted her with a wonderful life. Plus I firmly believe that she'll be waiting for you in the next plane.
*Hugs* I'm sorry to hear about Moonie, sending lots of positive energy and love her way as well as for you and your husband during this time.
-Anny
I have thought all the things you mentioned; but when one day (hopefully far in the future!) you sit there aching with that 9lb hole in your heart - those years and years of sweet wonderful memories will fill that hole right up - and then some.
About a month ago I found out my little dog has diabetes - diabetes of all things! She now gets insulin shots twice a day - it's crazy what we do for our pets but more than worth it.
Best of luck Moonie!
What a beautiful kitty!
14 - that is starting to be a dreaded number for me. My basset hound, Teddie, just left me last week just shy of 14. I have three cats missing him now. Two of them are 14. I think Teddie's passing is making them feel the age.
But everybody was a rescue. Things could have gone so very differently for them and none of them would have reached this age. The same with your beautiful kitty. She got as far as she did because of you. If she lives to be 25 that will be because of what you did for her.
Karen, I understand how you feel. I wish Teddie had died a quick, painless death. For his sake and mine.
I'll be sending Moonie positive vibes. Teddie will be also.
Desertwolf
Sending good luck your way! Looks like the love you've given each other has given you both strength & hope.
=D
She's so pretty.Our animals really do become like children to us,even though they are with us for such a short time.I know words must be little comfort to you right now,but I am thinking positive for you both,and here are a couple things I thought you might like:
Gen The World is like an Old Cat
The world is like an old cat;
Battered, tattered, ears torn;
Still, a cat for all that;
Which can be loved,
Which can be fed,
Which can be made well.
Mill Field
The Naming Of Cats
The Naming of Cats is a difficult matter,
It isn't just one of your holiday games;
You may think at first I'm as mad as a hatter
When I tell you, a cat must have THREE DIFFERENT NAMES.
First of all, there's the name that the family use daily,
Such as Peter, Augustus, Alonzo or James,
Such as Victor or Jonathan, George or Bill Bailey--
All of them sensible everyday names.
There are fancier names if you think they sound sweeter,
Some for the gentlemen, some for the dames:
Such as Plato, Admetus, Electra, Demeter--
But all of them sensible everyday names.
But I tell you, a cat needs a name that's particular,
A name that's peculiar, and more dignified,
Else how can he keep up his tail perpendicular,
Or spread out his whiskers, or cherish his pride?
Of names of this kind, I can give you a quorum,
Such as Munkustrap, Quaxo, or Coricopat,
Such as Bombalurina, or else Jellylorum-
Names that never belong to more than one cat.
But above and beyond there's still one name left over,
And that is the name that you never will guess;
The name that no human research can discover--
But THE CAT HIMSELF KNOWS, and will never confess.
When you notice a cat in profound meditation,
The reason, I tell you, is always the same:
His mind is engaged in a rapt contemplation
Of the thought, of the thought, of the thought of his name:
His ineffable effable
Effanineffable
Deep and inscrutable singular Name.
Thomas Stearns Eliot
Karen
I'm sending the best wishes and vibes to you and Moonie. Pets are part of the family and it's never easy to handle when they get sick. Let us know how she does Monday.
Sending Moonshadow lots of love and good vibes and some for you as well.
Miracles happen.
my aunt had a cat that she loved the way you love Moonie. He saw her through 3 different broken engagements and dozens of broken hearts. He was the kitten of a wild cat that gave birth in my grandparents garage. My aunt was the only one the cat ever allowed to touch him. When the cat died my aunt put him in a rubbermaid container and to this day, if she moves, she digs him up and brings him along.
Hopefully Moonie will get all of our loving vibes and feel better for years to come. And when Moonie is no longer in your life
may you always have a rubermaid container full of love and memories...if not a cat.
Lots of hugs and support your way Karen. I'm just recently going through a similar thing. I have a cat named Cutie. He is 15 years old and has been losing weight for the last few months. He weighed about 18lbs. Now he's down to 10. I had him since I was in high school before my children were born. I changed his food several times and finally took him to the Vet. He has Diabetes. I thought we were going to have to put him down and I found myself crying. Thinking how am I going to tell my children who have had this cat in their lives from the day that they were born that he may die? So, right now we are lucky. He gets insulin shots 2x a day. So far so good it's been about 3 weeks. So, I hoping for the best for Moonie and you, she is a beauty.
Diana(Latinalass)
Karen,
I'm so sorry to hear about Moonshadow's illness. I lost my first love, Oscar the Grouch, to a terrible illness a few years ago and think about him every day. I hope Moonshadow has peace for the rest of her days and when the time comes, I hope she goes to the rainbow bridge peacefully.
Sara J
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