My blog is called "Creative Smiles" because my designs are the result of incorporating mistakes. With fumble fingers that drop whatever they are holding - repeatedly, it takes a lot of giggles, smiles and creative patience during my crafting process. xx

Tuesday, July 27, 2021

A Little Sadness

 

I hope it is appropriate to share this sadness with you all. You are my blogging friends, so here goes...

Missy, our very sweet, unique kitty, has been a dear member of our home for 7 years. We adopted her at age 2 after a severe trauma. She only weighed 5.25 pounds at age 2! Responsive and interactive, Missy was more like a dog than a kitty. She was an indoor/outdoor critter who knocked on the door periodically throughout the day to come in, and hang out, then returning to her awesome barn and yard full of wildlife and birds. 

She came running to us when we called her, just like a dog. If I was outdoors, she always kept me company while I worked in the garden. 

She enjoyed keeping Jack company as he did chores around the house:


Her favorite treats were freeze-dried salmon bits, which I hid around the house for her to "hunt" to give her something interesting to do indoors.

Helping me craft:


Missy would carry on conversations, and had quite a large kitty vocabulary, as well as understanding a large human vocabulary. She used to play games with us, and often invited our German Shepherd to play as well. She had a fun, playful, show-off, intelligent personality with a "look at what I can do" mentality, taunting us from rafters in the barn/workshop, or the roof, or climbing trees.


We had to keep the seats down on the toilets because:


Just outside my craft studio, Missy had a huge "feed bucket" of water containing a solar powered water fountain. We dubbed that fountain "Missy's Friend" because she used to be at that water feature 30 minutes at a time, playing in the water and drinking from the fountain. 



Missy used to come settle in for the evening around 6PM with us to watch TV and a late night snack before we turn in. She would ask me to put her out between 1-2am because she detested her litter box. 

There is so much more to share about this delightful fur child... but she succumbed to a traumatic brain injury she sustained last summer. The feline PTSD had worsened, but she suffered a few seizures, and I imagine those were strokes. Our kindly vet tried everything, but ultimately, she was euthanized. It was the only humane thing left we could do to alleviate her suffering. 

We found it difficult to overcome our feelings of denial and do the right thing. She was so young, and healthy other than the brain trauma. 

Thank you for allowing me to share a little about Missy. You all are the absolute kindest of friends!

lovingly,




37 comments:

Anne Buckingham said...

I am sad to learn of Missy's passing. I know how difficult it is to loose a cherished member of the family. Please accept my sincere sympathy.

Donna Phelan said...

Oh Donna I am so sorry to hear about your beloved kitty, Missy. Isn't she a beauty? Love the pics of her and getting to know her personality, that was quite a cat! I know you'll miss her, but thank goodness you found each other for even 7 short years. (((hugs)))

Crafting Queen said...

So very sorry for your loss. It's does break your heart. Hugs Anesha

Lena said...

Oh Donna, my heart is breaking for you. That is always such a hard and sad decision to have to make. I'm glad you shared these happy memories of Missy. She will live in your heart forever.
Warm hugs,
Lena

Mac Mable said...

Dearest Donna....Thank you for sharing and what a cutie, so beautiful, such fun and you hold onto those wonderful memories. She was fortunate to live with you and my heart goes out to you x. Sending heartfelt hugs x.

Janis said...

Oh, Donna....I am so sorry. There are tears in my eyes as I write this because I know how hard it is to lose a kitty, especially one that should have had many, many years left to live and bring love and laughter to your home. You have written a beautiful tribute to your sweet Missy and I thank you for sharing her wonderful personality with us through your anecdotes and photos. Sending hugs and prayers for comfort during this sad time. Hang on to all the good memories and Missy will always be alive in your hearts.
<3 J

jwoolbright at gmail dot com
HerPeacefulGarden.blogspot.com

Chris said...

Donna my heart goes out to you, I know how hard it is to lose a beloved fur baby, the loss of my Great Dane (she was just 8 years) last November is still very raw. Your Missy sounds as if she was a real character and it's sad to think that she was still so young...but you gave her an amazing life, she had everything she wanted and needed and was obviously very much loved. You will never forget her as there is a special place in our hearts and memories for the pets we loved so much.
Sending hugs xxx

sarascloset said...

Donna, I'm so very sorry for your loss of your truly loved family member, Missy. I know you must be hurting. What a sweet little kitty, and you offered her a sweet, wonderful life. I loved reading about how she was more like a dog than a cat (I can totally relate; we call Roger our puppycat.), how she had a look-at-me personality and how you hid the salmon bits around the house to keep her from getting bored. You are a great cat-Mom! I hope your pain will be eased by the love you feel surrounding you. Sending hugs!

Aimeslee Winans said...

Donna, what a wonderful tribute to your sweet Missy! My condolences. It is always so hard to lose a pet and the older we get I think it gets worse even though we know it's going to happen one day too soon. I have a feeling she will be around you both always, though, if only in spirit, that's too much of a playground to leave! HUGS! xoxo

Bunny said...

Bless your heart. Y'all did the right thing, Donna. I know y'all will miss her terribly. I'll be praying for y'all that your grief will be lessened as the days pass. Thanks for giving us an insight as to what kind of pet she was. She sounds like she was a hoot and fun to be around. Especially at her fountain. Take care and my sympathies. Hugs, [Bunny]

Darnell said...

I'm so sorry, Donna. Thank you for sharing Missy with us and for writing this wonderful post. It was so well done that I could imagine Missy doing all the things you described with such love. She does sound like a dog personality and a total character who filled every corner of your life. It's a huge loss. I hope writing about her was cathartic for you. Big hugs, Darnell

Donna said...

Missy sounds like she was a delightful member of your family. Thanks for sharing. I am so sorry for your loss and will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers Donna. Sending a big hug, Donna

Sue said...

Hi Donna, I am so sorry you lost Missy. The thing to remember is you gave her a wonderful life.

Now she is at Rainbow Bridge, waiting for when you go and collect her.

Sending heaps of hugs.

Sue

Karenladd said...

I am so glad that you shared Missy's story with us and gave us a glimpse into her life with you. She was a lucky kitty to have been a part of your household, and how sad to lose her at such a young age. I never got used to losing those beloved members of our furry family and still feel a twinge of sadness each time I think of them. They bring such joy to our lives, and add a whole new dimension, don't they?
From her water antics, both inside and out, it appears that she disproved the common opinion that cats dislike water! What a lovely cat, with a distinct personality and so much character. I know she will be deeply missed.

cotnob said...

I'm so sorry to read your sad news Donna, Missy sounds like a real character and a much loved member of your family. You made one of the hardest decisions ever but you know in your heart that it was the right thing to do.
It sounds like you have lots and lots of fond memories of the wonderful life that you gave her.
My thoughts are with you, sending hugs.
Pauline - Crafting with Cotnob
x

brenda said...

I am so very sorry to read this post of sadness Donna, our animals do become our friends and form a part of our lives and leave a huge hole when they depart.

Making that decision is the hardest thing ever, I've had to do it more times than I would like, but as a vet said to me once, it's a kindness we can offer them which they are are unable to do for us when our suffering is beyond repair.

Sending much love and hugs.

B x

Karen Dunbrook said...

so sorry for the loss of your beloved pet....sending hugs.
xx Karen

Jackie T said...

Hi Donna I am so sorry for your loss. Sending hugs. Jackie xxx

KraftyKoolKat said...

I am so sorry to hear of this very sad loss Donna. My heart goes out to you. I have lost a few cat babies in my time and they do leave a very big hole that no one or anything can fill. You did the best for Missy and no one could have done more. She is out of pain now my friend.
Hugs
Cathy
xxx

Monica C. said...

So sorry for your loss Donna! I am glad you had the liberty to share with us here. Sending you special Hugs.
Monica

NanaConnie said...

Donna, Your Missy sounds so much like my beloved Cleo who passed 5 years ago at 18 1/2 years old. There is still a hole in my heart but the good memories seem to fill it more and more. I know the hole in your heart has to be huge right now but the pain will ease with time and the memories will bring some comfort. Remember, she's over the rainbow now and can run free without any thought of pain or trauma. Hugging you, my friend.

Leslie Miller said...

Donna, I'm so sorry to hear about Missy's passing. I know she was having problems from her injury, but to lose her altogether is traumatic for you. You gave her the best life and treated her with the utmost compassion in the end. My heart is with you in sympathy.

crafty-stamper said...

Awww Donna I am so sorry to hear about Missy such a beautiful cat and it sounds as if she had a wonderful 7years of life with you.We have lost a few cats but one who actually died in my arms has been seen a few times since and once by two people at the same time!So I am sure she will be back to visit you.
Carol x

cuilliesocks said...

Oh Donna, I am so sorry to read this and my heart goes out to you. Missy looks a wonderful character and you have amazing memories of her. Our pets are friends as well as family members and their loss is huge. She looks a beautiful girl and would have kept you on your toes.
A dreadful decision to have to make, one I had to make a few years ago with my Cuillin, but the right one when suffering was the only option. Big Hugs to you, Kate x

Conniecrafter said...

Oh Donna I am so sorry for your loss, our little furbabies are so much apart of every minute of our days, bringing so much joy and love. I know how missed she will be, I hope the days and months ahead bring you peace.
Hugs to you!!

Verna Angerhofer said...

You have my deepest sympathy and I know how much she will be missed. She sounds like a most wonderful kitty. She certainly did have the disposition of a dog.

Catnip and Kitty Whiskers said...

I am so sorry for your loss! What a beautiful girl!

Beebeebabs said...

So sorry for your loss - my Sincere Sympathy to you and your family!

Jean Bullock said...

Awwww, sorry to hear this. We lost our 19 year old kitty several years ago. I know how it feels. Big hugs!

Donna Walls said...

This is such a loving tribute to your furbaby. She was a beautiful soul who now runs and plays free of pain and trauma. When you're outside, look for a butterfly...that will be her coming to visit you.

Chrissy said...

Dear Donna, I am so sorry for your loss of your sweet kitty, I have been there so many times and say every time no more, but I seem to do it all over again, my heart goes out to you, there is not much that I can say except she will be in kitty heaven with no more pain..and I believe in that.

Luv CHRISSYxx

Lori m said...

Donna,
I'm so very sorry to hear about your loss, hugs, Lori m

coldwaters2 said...

This is such sad news Donna it is always traumatic when losing a pet I know that so well, you have so many wonderful memories and photos she will never leave your heart
hugs
lorraine x

Pia S said...

I’m sorry for your loss. It’s so hard to loose a 4 legged friend. Cars have great personalities and it get awfully ‘quiet’ when they are no longer with us.

Sue said...

Oh Donna, I feel your pain. It is so very hard to lose a fur friend and member of the family. Missy was a beauty, nothing like a black cat....we had one when our daughter was growing up, Midnight, and she and her family have one now, Stormy. Those yellow eyes on a black cat just melt your heart. It will be hard no to have Missy around, doing all the things you mentioned in your tribute to your girl, but hope the great memories she gave you linger and bring you happiness when you think of her. I am thinking of you with this sad news. Hugs, Sue.

Colleen Dietrich said...

Oh man. :-( I am tearing up reading about Missy. I am grieving with you! She sounded like such a delight. We have a black cat named Cristabel; she too has a large cat vocabulary and seems to understand the human words too. Lots of anxiety in this one, since we adopted her in 2011. We give her the gentlest, kindest, most loving home, but it something she came to us with and we have not been able to 'untrain' the trauma from her.

My deepest sympathies, Donna. I know how much it hurts to lose a fur baby. Sending you hugs.

Lori Kobular said...

Donna I am so very sorry to read about Missy's passing! She was truly a unique kitty! I know how much you loved her and that you will miss her dearly! She was a lucky kitty to live in such a loving home! There is nothing worse than losing one of our precious pets! Sending you hugs!!
Lori