Last One To Leave

The last of my original cat family has left for the Rainbow Bridge last night. Over the past 20 years we had six. The first one was Henry a very big tuxedo cat, he was my partners cat and devoted to her in every way. I remember the time Henry was left at the vet for an appointment and somehow he got out. We headed out after work to go look for him. The vet's office was off the beaten path and kind of set back into the woods. As we pulled up to the vets office, which was now closed, we saw nothing but blackness, but the headlights reflected these two eyes off in the woods. We weren't sure if it was an animal or Henry. My partner got out of the car and called to the two eyes shining in the night. As she moved towards the eyes she heard the familiar sound of his voice calling to her as if to say"where have you been"? Henry had not gone far from the vet's office, he waited because he knew "Mom" would be back for him. He was right! Henry eventually passed away with the kitty aids at the young age of 13 years old.

Herkimer was the next "found kitty" but he passed away shortly after we he had come to live with us. He was an outdoor cat and only came in at night to sleep. He was a gorgeous fluffy pure gray cat with big green eyes. On one of his midnight runs he was hit by a car, we found him in the morning curled up by the back door. He looked as if he was sleeping, but he wasn't.

Tennessee was the next one to come along. He was an orange tabby and he had to be about 8 to 12 weeks old when he jumped out of a trash can by the side of the road and ran in front of the car. We stopped to see if he was OK and as I opened the car door and he hopped in. Needless to say he became a part of the family that night. He was known as the man about town. He was another one who refused to stay inside. We tried but he would destroy the house if he wasn't allowed out. We finally gave in and explained the hazards of being outside to him and he said he was good with the chances he was taking. If ever there was a street smart cat he was it. He had his morning routine of checking on the neighbors and they all looked forward to his visits. Last year it was Tennessee's turn to return home at the ripe old age of 19 years old. He had lived a very full life and transitioned last year.

Dakota was a shelter rescue about 12 to 14 weeks old. She was an exquisite cat. A long haired tortoise shell cat, very petite. She knew she was beautiful! She also became a Mom by accident when we didn't get her spade when we should have. We ended up keeping one of the kittens and named her Georgia. Georgia was still a baby when her Mom, Dakota, slipped out one night and was hit by a car. Georgia was never really right after that. She became really reclusive and not around much. It was heartbreaking to lose another kitty to a car, especially her.

Torrie was the last addition to the family. She too was a stunning long haired tortoise shell cat. We also got her from a shelter at 8 weeks old. They were getting ready to put her to sleep because they thought she was sick. Something told me she wasn't so we took her home. She too had a very long and loving life. She transitioned the end of last year at 18 years old.

Georgia was the last one left and unfortunately cancer had finally taken over her body to the point that she could not longer have a good quality of life. At the age of 20 she went peacefully last night to the Rainbow Bridge to be with the rest of her cat family. They are all together once again and I am sure will be waiting for me when I return home once again.

I am grateful each one of them came into my life as they each brought something very different by being with us. I miss them all.

Happy Trails,
Sherry