Willow: April 2009 – July 2009
A beautiful little life, ended way too soon. We’ll love you forever baby girl.
Until we meet again…
I brought home a tiny stray kitten a few weeks ago. She instantly stole our hearts, and even though we had previously had no intentions of getting another cat (we have 3 already) we decided to make her a loving home here with our animal-loving family.
Within a week, the horrible roller-coaster ride had begun, when my husband discovered her in the bathroom, barely breathing. We rushed her to the vet, who managed to nurse her back to fair health over many days. After a HUGE amount of expense, they sent her home with many medications which we religiously administered multiple times daily.
She seemed to be getting better, beating the 10% odds of survival for kittens with Panleukopenia (distemper) . She would sit with us and purr, cuddle up for warmth, and was beginning to become a much loved part of our family. Our children eagerly helped to care for her, and were excited at the prospect of her improving health, that would allow her to play with them.
On Thursday morning, I cam home to find her laying lifeless on our bedroom floor. Again, rushing her to the vet, and praying she would be okay, we were given the heart breaking news “the kindest thing you can do for her, is to euthanize her, as her chances of survival are so slim, and she will require much more intensive care and will not likely survive anyways…†It was the hardest decision I have ever had to make…
I brought her tiny body home, and we buried her by our memory pond. I planted a beautiful Astilbe at her grave. I miss her so much already, and my heart feels empty and hurt. My little Willow, taken way too soon. She was not yet 10 weeks old.
I love you little friend, I will keep you forever in my heart, and until we meet again, may God hold you safe…
Sorry for your loss – I know how hard it is to lose a pet =(
I am so sorry for your loss. I know how this feels and can only say that it gets a little better each day. I said a little prayer for your Willow and can only hope that she has met my Sassy and that they are already good friends:)
I’m so sorry to hear about your Willow, and understand too well how heartbreaking it is to have to make such a decision, especially after great effort to keep her alive.
Thankfully Willow was lucky enough to find such a loving home and family to spend her short life with.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I know all too well the hurt of losing a pet. My 14 yr old Mitzi died in the car in my lap the day I moved to Guelph. Miserable 2 hrs drive with my friend next to me dead instead of purring.
Willow was lucky to have spent some days with your loving family. May you remember her sweetness and find comfort knowing that you were there for her. You could do that cookbook in honor of Willow – with some of the proceeds going to places like BEST FRIENDS (check out the site if unfamiliar) and her memory would live on by helping others. I can already tell you I would be ordering 5 cookbooks for X-mas presents – your recipes are awesome.
Willow was lucky to have spent some days with your loving family. May you remember her sweetness and find comfort knowing that you were there for her. You could do that cookbook in honor of Willow – with some of the proceeds going to places like BEST FRIENDS (check out the site if unfamiliar) and her memory would live on by helping others. I can already tell you I would be ordering 5 cookbooks for X-mas presents – your recipes are awesome.
Dear Catherine,
How blessed little Willow was to spend her last days with such a wonderful family, surrounded by love. The Universe works in mysterious ways and everything happens for a reason, and although it was a heartbreaking ordeal for you and your family to make the decision to let her go, please believe that Willow came to you for the right reasons. She had never known love before you took her in. She had never known the pleasure of a gentle hand or the safety of a caring family. With you she found all that and more.
Take comfort in the fact that for a time she was protected and cherished and loved and that her last days were blissfully pain and fear free. Take comfort in the fact that somewhere, out there, little Willow is purring still.
Many blessings, love and light.
Deena
(South Africa)
I wish to express my deepest sorrow for the loss of your little kitten. Sadly, people don’t spay or neuter their pets and allow them to breed unchecked. Your little Willow died so far ahead of her time, but not all human beings are as compassionate as you. Please know that you gave this little girl far more love and tenderness than she would have experienced had you not opened your home and heart.
Your post brought a tear to my eye. What a sweet kitten and lucky to have been with such a loving family, even if only for a short time.
Came here for your banana muffin recipe which I use all the time I should know it by memory now.