Pawprints and Purrs, Inc.

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Copyright © 1997 - 2007

In our hearts, the cherished memories live on... This site is created in loving memory of our beloved FancyBoy and JoJo.

I stumbled across your site while browsing the web for information on tapeworms and I found the Angelkitties section. This section immediately touched me and brought me to tears. I was hoping you would post a tribute for Ashleigh. His story is brief, but sad and he deserves it for being such a brave kitten. I never got a picture of him...

We found Ashleigh on 7/7/02 in a parking lot of a shopping center. He was approximately 5 weeks old. He was dragging his leg as if he had been hit by a car. That night we rushed a tiny, malnourished, grey tabby kitten with grey points to the emergency vet. Upon check in, we were asked if we would keep it. I looked to my boyfriend, and he said "Yes." This would be #5, our last cat...

After an exam, we were informed that our new kitten was FeLuke positive. We already had 4 cats in the house and now we could not keep him, but I was NOT going to put him down as the ER vet has suggested. I would find him a good home if need be. Regardless of the situation, he deserved a chance! I hoped beyond all hope that the Leukemia was only an antibody passed from his mother and within 2 months, a retest would prove otherwise... We needed to keep Ash seperated from his new brothers and sisters, so he lived in a crate in the basement.

I tried to comfort him the best I could, but alas, 5 short days later, after enduring tests and x-rays and exams, little Ashleigh succumed to the disease and passed away on 7/12/02. He was a tiny cat who we only had for a brief time, but the love we shared with him was immense. I could tell he appreciated my attempt at his salvation; as we were driving back to the ER vet at 5 am on the morning of the twelfth, he looked at me, meowed once, and purred into unconciousness. Some people think that 5 days is not enough time to fall in love, but Ashleigh proved them wrong.

Our little Ashleigh is missed by Mommy Vivian, Daddy Chad, and the feline siblings he never got to know: Spooky, Malachi, Pandora, and Sniklefritz.

January 27, 2003: Tikvah, my 12-year-old cat is gone. Last week, in a swift turn of events, the cancer progressed from his stomach to his central nervous system.

Tikvah's beautiful life and horrible death have left me a bit dazed and unable to compose Kinship letter campaigns--or do much else for that matter. I hope to resume soon...

On Friday, Tikvah began to have seizures, 3 hours apart, despite the phenobarbital we put him on to stop the seizures that began the night before. The brain cancer was too relentless and vulgar. It will take me a long time to lose the images of his body rigid, his eyes black, crying horribly. Between the last two seizures, before I took him to be euthanized, he fell into a deep sleep nestled against my torso, his head over my heart. I will never forget that last moment of his warmth against my skin...

I am just having to go through a lot of anger and waves of sadness that wash over me with absolute intensity. I am angry at this swift, vicious, no-holds-barred cancer that killed Tikvah in less than a month despite everything I did for him. The one thing that never occurred to me was that Tikvah would really die.

I am so angry that this completely innocent, accepting, good-natured, wise, gracious animal (he was always the "good kid" among my critters) had to endure even 24 hours of debilitating seizures and the inability to breath.

I know with time the horrible images of illness will fade beneath the memories of my mini-lion, with his huge orange mane, stud-like strut and confident smile.

As all of you who have lost the great companions of your lives know, there are endless memories.

But I am nowhere near the acceptance stage yet. Tik is still so near. His orange tufts are everywhere. I will never wash the blanket that lined his carrier. It has his smell. There is a huge hole in my heart and my life.

I am trying to comfort my surviving animals--Stanley, Rebekkah and Cleveland--who miss Tik too. Each shows me in his or her own way. Rebekkah is left without her feline companion. And Stanley is left without his lifelong best friend. They all seem confused. Where is Tikvah? I ask the same thing: Where is Tikvah?

Yes, I believe in Rainbow Bridge. And yes, I believe he has awakened from his needed rest on a sunny trail lined with trees. With each step he takes, his mane returns, his bulk returns, his strength and vitality reemerge. I told him this would happen, before he left me. I told him he would run toward the light.

But the reality of never again being able to trace the rust-colored "M" on his forehead, caress the paws, stroke the tummy or just lay with him sprawled across my body is overwhelming right now. I suppose part of the healing is being able to share these feelings and memories with others, so thanks for letting me do that.

LETTER TO TIKVAH

The song I have sung to Tikvah throughout his life.
To the tune of Bicycle Built For Two.

Tikvah, Tikvah give me your answer true.
I'm half crazy over my love for you.
You are my favorite kitten.
With you I am so smitten.
My little flirt.
My orange dessert...
My pumpkin muffin kitten.

Tikvah, Tikvah why are you so smart?
You've always been my teacher, from the very start.
You are my little Buddha
so loving, kind and truthful
You are my guide
My eyes inside
Alive in my heart forever.

Tikvah 1990-2003
Tikvah means hope.

To my beautiful orange guy:

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that companion goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed on the streets, at puppy mills, inside factory farms, laboratories or circuses are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His radiant green/gold eyes are intent. His eager orange body quivers. He purrs with half-shut eyes and a little pink tongue poking through his lips. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your companion, your baby, your precious--so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...

Tikvah, I never believed for a second that I couldn't save you. I poured every part of me into finding your cure. I whispered into your ear for days and weeks: I will never leave your side. I am with you. Forever.

You are my first. The one who has never stopped opening doors. Because of you (and Stanley) I know that all animals are unique individuals with souls. Because of you I am vegan.

And now, as you leave, you bring well-being to Stanley, Rebekkah, and Cleveland. I will never again stop at "try this pill and we'll see what happens" if your brothers or sister become ill. We are free of commercial foods. We are 100% organic. This is because of you, Tikvah.

Goodbye precious orange guy.
Tikki Sticks
Tik Le Shmic
Tonces
Ticknoid

Your worn-out body needs to rest and rejuvenate for the journey ahead.

I love you. I love you. I love you.

Good night, angel. Goodbye, Tikvah.

Boots was born April 9th, 1991 and went to be with our Lord on January 18th, 2003.

Boots came into my life at only 4 weeks of age, and became apart of my heart and soul the moment I laid eyes on her. She was and is a true Angel!

I did not marry until July of 1998, so for many years it was just Boots and her Mama. We did everything together. We would go for walks, talk, watch t.v together. Anything you can imagine, we did it together. Not ever having children of my own, Boots was my child. I would do anything and everything I possibly could for her. Money was no issue. If I thought she needed it, be it a toy or healthcare ... no matter the cost ~ Miss. Boots got it.

In January of 1999, she was diagnosed with Feline Diabetes. She was on insulin shots twice daily and had to be fed a strict diet of veterinary prescribed food. I did everything that I was told to do for her no matter what. I made sure her shots were given at the same time every morning and evening, to make sure she never got off schedule. She went in for her weekly glucose tests to monitor her treatment. I made sure that she was always up to date on all shots and teeth cleanings. Boots was and still is my baby, and Mama made sure that nothing was ever going to hurt her, so she was more than well taken care of.

Saturday evening, January 18th, 2003, I had to rush Boots to the emergency clinic as she was having labored breathing and listlessness. After being x-rayed, the findings were very dim. Her lungs were surrounded by fluid to the point that they were just floating. You could barely see where her heart was, due to a large mass that covered the area. Basically, her system was quickly shutting down on her. Boots was just ready to be with her Lord. As much as I didn't want to lose her, I knew the right thing to do was to let her go, and to make sure she was no longer suffering. Her pain killed me then and the thought of it does to this day still. I promised her I would not let anyone or anything ever hurt her, and the fact that I had no control over the pain she felt in her body just killed me.

Boots closed her eyes for the last time at 11:15pm that night, and not only did I lose the most important thing in the world to me - I lost apart of myself. She was and still is my whole world. I know she is up in Heaven watching over me now, and that helps to comfort me. I can't help but be selfish though, and wish that she were here with me, but I know she is no longer suffering and that is a blessing. I know she is going to be well taken of in Heaven. At least now, Boots will always be healthy - she will always be beautiful - she will always be the kitten she wanted to be but health wise couldn't be.

One day we will be together again and nothing will ever separate us again. Until then, I will keep your memories and you alive in my heart. Mama will always love you, BooSnickins.

MooMoo, please forgive me for having the vet end your pain. I know you trusted him and you trusted me and I don't know if I did the right thing for a friend we loved. I asked you what you wanted and you seemed to tell me, but it's so hard to be sure.

Cleo, Caesar and Kitty-Kelly saw me come home without you and they knew what we had done and they cried with me.

Goodbye, MooMoo. You shared our lives and we will never forget you.

Please say hello to Krystal.

Until we meet again - David and Kathy; April, DJ, and Christopher; Cleo, Caesar, and Kitty-Kelly

Thank you, sweet boy, for sharing your pure love with us for seventeen years. You are deeply missed by your human companions, Adam and Lyn. We will watch the seasons drift over you, remembering how you loved the sunshine, the dirt, the grass, drinking fog and rain from leaves, and watching birds, bugs, and butterflies. You are gone but you will never, ever be forgotten.

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