STRANGELY QUIET...

Today is hard for me...I keep listening for the pet door to slam...Peachy used to rush into the kitchen like a spitfire...now the counter is bare...her China water cup placed back in the cupboard. No water puddles to mop up, Peachy used to paddle the water out of her bowls. I long to be startled out of my wits in the quiet of the night by Peachy jumping up on the counter looking to open the kitchen faucet for a drink. The mornings seem strange for Lapdaddy who always popped open the foody cans, scooped the goodness into her Staffordshire cat bowl, place it into the micro for 10 seconds then gave it to a waiting eager little red cat. The cozy cottage is strangely quiet...I hear her purring when I cover myself on the sofa at night with her soft fleecy blanket...Peachy taught me so very much. She never complained that she was sick, never wanted to be a burden on us only wanting to lay her head in the arms of love...

WELCOME TO HEAVEN... by augustavindelicorum on Polyvore.com

My blog posts will be somewhat different from this point on...I need to lay down my thoughts as I process through the grief and come full circle into understanding it. They will be filled with much art work. I thank you ever so kindly for all of the comforting comments. I read and reread them...each and every word tenderly in memory of the amazing sweet life of a little red cat who reached out her velvet paw and grabbed the world by it's tail...

CONTENTED IN YESTERDAY'S MEMORIES...

To help me get through this day I have listened to my favorite song dozens of times...it comforts me...like Peachy's soft purr and silken fur...like the first autumn breeze last evening that reached down and swept my beloved old girl up into the heavens on angels wings. Thank you all so very very much for loving my kitty so much and holding us up during this saddest of times...

~~FLY FREE BELOVED MISS PEACH~~

Only in our tomorrows will we realize what we had in our yesterdays...the sad cozy cottage ~I’m Still Here~
My loving Family and furiends, please don't mourn for me,
I'm still here, though you don't see.
I'm right by your side each night and day,
And within your heart I long to stay.
My body is gone but I'm always near,
I'm everything you feel, see or hear.
My spirit is free, but I'll never depart,
As long as you keep me alive in your heart.
I'll never wander out of your sight.
I'm the brightest star on a summer night.
I'll never be beyond your reach.
I'm the warm moist sand when you're at the beach.
I'm the colorful leaves when fall comes around,
And the pure white snow that blankets the ground.
I'm the beautiful flowers of which you're so fond,
The clear cool water in a quiet pond.
I'm the first bright blossom you'll see in the spring,
The first warm raindrop that April will bring.
I'm the first ray of light when the sun starts to shine,
And you'll see that the face in the moon is mine.
When you start thinking there's no one to love you,
You can talk to me through the Lord above you.
I'll whisper my answer through the leaves on the trees,
And you'll feel my presence in the soft summer breeze.
I'm the hot salty tears that flow when you weep,
And the beautiful dreams that come while you sleep.
I'm the smile you see on a baby's face.
Just look for me, my loving family and furiends, I'm everyplace!

SUNSHINE WARMS MY FURS...

Mommy laid on the pillow next to me on the patio...it is good to be close to a beloved... It was another gold star day in the sunshine. I ate and drank a little bit and used the litter box. Mommy had to help me a little bit with #2 so I did not strain myself too much. Since I am so weak, I have trouble pushing. Mommy gave me a bath in the kitchen sink this time. I just stood in the warm water and it also ran all over my furs from the faucet. I felt like I was standing under a waterfall. We cuddled together in a nice soft blanket to dry me off. It is good to feel fresh and clean even when most of your parts are worn out....

ANOTHER GOLD STAR FOR ME...

Everyone is admiring my report card because I got another gold star...though I am getting so very thin, I still seem to want to eat and drink somewhat. That is a very good thing. Cole and his daddy Oliver love me so much and today I got so many soft pets and kisses...it is good to be loved. They stayed here all day...that is a very good thing too! I thank you all so much for your visits and fine thoughts you send my way...I can feel them and they cover me gently...

MY DAYS WITH HOSPICE CARE...

It is not a welcome fact that I am in Hospice care at the cozy cottage right now. Most humans enter this type of end of life care within six months of going to their bridge. That is what brought me here to be with my mommy's mom Kitty. She has been gone now 10 years. I have lived a wonderful life here since that first day I came. I was rescued, as a senior kitty of almost nine years old, to be an end of life CATpanion to a dying lady who did not like cats. I became a Hospice volunteer and spent six weeks with grandma Kitty, who soon came to love me. I did my job very well...now mommy is doing many of the things to take care of me that I saw her do to mommy Kitty. Preparing special meals and making sure lots of water is always close by. Washing down my furs with warm fresh cloths, cleaning my eyes and mouth and nose and ears daily, sometimes two or three times. She does it very gently and then kisses me on the head. When I am done, I always get my special treats that I love so much, Greenies and Party Mix. I am watched over very close all the time. Mommy goes to bed late around 4am and Lapdaddy gets up at 6am, so I have constant care and full dishes. No kitty could ask for more better love and care. Mommy told me she will give me a report card of quality of life that came from Teri and the Furrydancers...I got a gold star today because I passed. It is a good day...thank you all for your precious comments and that you think about us in your busy days...

Every now and then, when the world sits just right, a gentle breath of heaven fills my soul with delight... ~Hazelmarie ‘Mattie’ Elliott, A Breath of Heaven

PLAYING HIDE AND SEEK...

Miss Peach picked the purrrrfect hiding spot last night in Lapdaddy's workshop! It was late and we wanted to kiss her goodnight...but we could not find her anywhere. Cole and I looked for almost half and hour...we could hear her breathing when all was real still in the workshop. We began opening all the cabinets but no Peachy in sight. Then we opened the big drawer under the work table and out peeked her tiny ginger face.

Even Hunny Bunny was helping us look...

Mommy put a soft fleecy under her in the drawer because sitting on all those rough sanding disks is not good for a gentle old lady cat.

Hunny Bunny said, "I do not understand why Peachy climbed into that drawer to hide herself away...but she has always done the silliest things."

ME AND MY BOY ON MONDAY...

I love him and he loves me...that's as good as life can be...

BEING CLOSE TO THE ONE I LOVE...

I WILL SET YOU FREE... by augustavindelicorum on Polyvore.com

I did something quite different today...I went into the garage which is right next to my auntie room. My sweet Lapdaddy was working in there making some new gingerbread trim for the house. I wanted to be closer to him...you see...I did something yesterday that I have never done to him before...I hissed at him. It broke his heart. He was only trying to hold me close and snuggle me up a little bit, but I did not want to be held and then ran to my box. I am sorry I did that. I am just not myself anymore these days. So I followed him into his workshop just to be with him...I did not care that the big machines were making sawing and sanding noise...I just sat on the floor and by the food dishes. I ate a little bit and drank.

I got a message from my beloved husband cat Mickey last night...he tells me he is waiting for me. I am not afraid now. Your purrrrs comfort me. But for now...I stay. Mommy talks to me and cries into my furs...I just purr a little bit and stay awhile longer.

HOLDING ON TO A THREAD...THE PRICE OF LOVE MUST BE PAID IN HEARTACHE...

Still resting all the time now...eating a little bit and waiting... My beautiful Miss Hunny Bunny wonders why my sweet Miss Peach does not hiss and chase her around anymore...

Thank you for all of your precious visits and prayers. Every word you write us is engraved upon our hearts in comfort...

NOT A WATERLESS WEDNESDAY...

My precious little unsuspecting sweet girl...
the scene of the not waterless Wednesday...
a most unhappy but always tolerant victim...
I wish I could spare you this picture...but the ravages of old age and a failing body are a sad fact of our lives at the cozy cottage now...

true to her unique style, Miss Peach always find HER special place to get over it! I am always more than happy to make my girl comfortable wherever she wants to be...

I can only say that we are moving slowly through our days stopping often just to reflect on blessings of love and visits from loving friends like you. Your love lifts us up into the sky like a bluebird taking flight in Spring...thank you for another day Lord.

WORLD CAT DAY TODAY AUGUST 8, 2011

Mommy told me it is world cat day today... To help me celebrate, she came and had her coffee and lemon cake with me in the auntie room. She sat on the carpet and I ate some foodies for her and even some Party Mix...it will be a wonderful day!Mommy made this collagey of beautiful kitties and found a wonderful poem to help us all celebrate today...I think all the kitties in the second row look like me!

WONDERFUL WORLD OF CATS... by augustavindelicorum

"Comes The Dawn"

After a while you learn the subtle difference between holding a hand and chaining a soul. And you learn that love doesn’t mean leaning and company doesn’t always mean security. And you begin to learn that kisses aren’t contracts and presents aren’t promises and you begin to accept your defeats with your head up and your eyes ahead with the grace of a woman not the grief of a child. And you learn to build all your roads on today because tomorrow’s ground is too uncertain for plans. And futures have a way of falling down in mid flight. After a while you learn that even sunshine burns if you get too much. So you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers. And you learn that you really can endure, that you are really strong and you really do have worth and you learn and you learn with every goodbye you learn.
By Veronica A. Shoffstall

CAT ART SUNDAY...THANKFUL FOR FRIENDS...

Oh I'll get by with a little help from my friends is one of my favorite Ringo Starr songs...it applies so well to my days right now. I am so thankful for all of you and the love, comfort and well wishing prayers you are sending my way. Cole is with me this weekend and that makes me smile. I ate a little bit and am drinking my water. I surpised mommy this morning with some bit of poo in the litter box...it was a labor of love. We are happy for TIME...time to be quite, to sleep, to dream, to remember, to look forward to being with those you love! Bless all of your hearts for loving me...

I'LL GET BY WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS...

LOVE IS SUCH MAGICAL GIFT...

My sweet friends...I have been spending much quiet time being thankful for every fine moment I have had so far in my life. My foodie sometimes tastes good and I do drink some water. The litter box is fresh and clean...

As you can see, mommy is loving me up so gently...you can see how tiny I am. Last night mommy slept on the floor in the office with me. It was like a camp out and nice to have mommy so close to me. I kept breathing in her face and she was happy about it! We covered up in the big bedspread and shared the pillow.
I feel all of your gentle purrrs and purrayers...they are precious gifts of love to me, mommy and Lapdaddy. Thank you for each and every word you leave us during this one day at a time journey. They warm our hearts with encouragment and comfort us in knowing that we are not alone...

ONCE UPON A TIME...A LITTLE RED CAT

came to live at the cozy cottage. That was exactly 10 years ago this month. She was a senior at 8 years old but we wanted her. She needed to do an important work for my dying mother. To fill her final days with a tender distraction. Miss Peach became a HOSPICE worker and made mother fall in love with her. Not an easy job because mother hated cats! They shared seven weeks together before the Lord released mother from her earthly pain. My brother Tony and sister Patty are all the family I have left...we live in the same town but seldom see each other due to work and life just happening. John Lennon once said, "Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans."My sister Patty called to see how things are going and I told her about sweet Peachy slowly failing. She loves this tiny cat...the last living connection to our mothers last days of happiness. Patty came right over and brought the beautiful purple blanket she made. We had coffee and chatted...then her cell phone rang. It was our brother Tony. Patty asking him to come over and see Peachy but he said he could not. Soon Patty had to go home and as she was leaving, we heard a voice in the driveway...it was my brother Tony! He came! I nearly cried...the three of us have not been together for 10 years since mother's last summer.
Then something really amazing happened...yes it gets better! For 10 years two boxes have sat on the top shelf in the auntie room...boxes that belonged to our mother that we have never unpacked. It seemed like the purrrrfect time to get them down and look inside. One box had a Japanese tea set in it and a German china set. The other box had the treasured photo albums that we thought had been lost many years ago!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Pictures of long lost days came flooding back into our minds. Our hearts shouted prayers of thanks for this family reunion and the recovery of memories long buried under cobwebs of our past.
My sister Patty with my Oma's photo album from the 1950's and my brother Tony with the little sled I used to pull him on during the winter's we spend living at our Oma and Opa's house in Bavaria...he could not believe I still had it in my garden shed.
This most unexpected amazing day was a gift to me...to all of us...from my beloved little Miss Peach. She brought us all together...she gave us unforgettable moments that we will always treasure. Miss Peach will leave a legacy of love that will sustain me during sad gray days with smiles in my heart...thank you my precious Peach.
UPDATE:
Tuesday evening: A tiny update...Miss Peach and I are resting on the sofa...most of the evening she lay with her Lapdaddy and that was so wonderful for all of us. I bathed her late this afternoon with just water and held her until she was dry infront of the fireplace. I told her what a good girl she has been to us here at the cozy cottage all these years. She then crawled up onto my arms and snuggled into my neck...I nearly lost it with happy tears. Later she ate and drank another little bit. But she can not go poop...she has no energy and strained so hard...it broke my heart to watch. I fear her system might be shutting down...but I do not know really. She did pee...that is good. I am waiting for her to wake up and I will put her into the little girls room and hope for more. A little food is waiting in the saucer too...it has been a good evening.Thank you all for your sweet thoughts and prayers...we can feel them. Love Karla and Lapdaddy

ANOTHER FEW LITTLE BITES AND A WHOLE SAUCER OF WATER!

My dearest friends...how happy all of your kind comments have made mommies worried heart. Today has been much the same as yesterday...I ate a few tiny bites. That made mommy smile. I went right back into my box when I was done...I just sit in there as you can see. Sometimes I fall asleep...then I hear mommy creeping up on me and listening to me breath and watching me...she is very sweet with me. I also know what mommy needs because I have a sixth sense...I arranged for something to happen for her today that she was longing for for many years...my being sick made this happen. There is always a silver lining to each gray cloud...and we will tell you more tomorrow. For now, I am resting until mommy comes creeping around me again. I love you all so much and am humbled by your comfort...

JUST A TINY BIT...

Our sweet little old girl ate just a tiny bit...first she licked the juice as I sat her on the counter...but I knew she would be more comfortable where she really wanted to be...in her litter girls room box. I put a sheet of paper down and place the silver spoon full of goodness for her to nibble on...I was happy that she was interested in taking a little bit of it...

THANK YOU all of our dearest friends for thinking about us during this time of uncertain moments...we are cuddling much and watching very close to what Peach tells us. Please know how thankful we are that we do not have to go through this alone...that you are with us...holding us up and helping us get through the days ahead. We treasure each and every comment you leave...with grateful hearts from the cozy cottage