Pawprints and Purrs, Inc.

A Non-Profit 501(c)(3) Organization
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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.

Dixie didn't die from old age or natural health problems. She was taken from my in the most (to me) unheard of way. For the most part her toys consisted of balls with bells inside because she loved the jingle sound they made. When I felt it was time to buy her something new to play with I bought a toy that looked like a worm with little bells inside. There was a long string hanging from it that I would hold and pull away from her as she leaped at the toy.

One day we noticed she wasn't eating her food anymore. This went on for a couple of days. By then I was worried and thought that maybe the hard food bothered her. We bought some soft food but she wouldn't eat that either. That night we noticed that Dixie was coughing up blood and took her down the our vet. I was shocked to learn that the problem was not her teeth or her stomach but her tongue. Somehow when she was playing with her new toy a part of the string wrapped around her tongue tightly. It was cutting of circulation and the blood we had seen earlier was from her trying to actually chew part of her tongue off in order to loosen the sting.

Unfortunately by the time we realized something was terribly wrong with Dixie the tip of her tongue had turned almost black and not blood could flow to the tip. The vet removed the string and gave us medicine for her. But she still wouldn't eat normally and would only nibble. A few days after the trip to the vet we found Dixie laying curled up in her favorite spot... She had passed away sometime during the night.

I now have a nine week old kitten and am very weary of the toys I buy for her. I never thought that what many people perceive has a harmless cat toy could do this to our baby girl. I now "baby" proof any toys I buy for my new cat and make sure that anything that she could possibly get a string off of it put out of her reach.

I took in Dixie when my best friend moved to Colorado nearly seven years ago. I was thrilled to finally be able to call her mine. I had adored her from day one and new that she was special. I only had her in my life for six very short years and will cherish all the memories and photos I have of her. My baby girl Dixie, I will always miss you and love you...

"A kitten is the most irresistible comedian in the world. Its wide-open eyes gleam with wonder and mirth. It darts madly at nothing at all, and then, as though suddenly checked in the pursuit, prances sideways on its hind legs with ridiculous agility and zeal." - Agnes Repplier

Molson was a very happy and playful kitten. His favorite toys were our other cats; Baby and Buster, our dogs; Cookie and Jenny, and of course, anything he wasn't supposed to have. Although he was only with us for 6 months, the house seems empty without him. We miss you Molson Kitty!

This is terribly hard to write. I've been battling with myself all week to get up enough strength to do so, but the pain has been so deep and all but unbearable.

One fall day in 2000, I came home to find an ezboard private message from a young man in Houston, TX. He had found a small female cat running the streets near his apartment complex and had coaxed her into his home. He kept her separated from his cats and took her to the vet as soon as he was able. The devastating news came all too soon. She tested positive for Feline Leukemia. The young man couldn't keep her because of his healthy cats and asked if I knew of anyone who had a FeLV colony who could take her.

When I mentioned the cat to an online friend, Sharlene Skadberg, she immediately got in contact with the young man. Sharlene met him, brought the young cat into her home, gave her excellent vet care, good food, and lots of toys. She named her Susie. I was so proud and deeply honored - a needy little cat who desperately needed a safe haven to live out her life had been named after me.

How little Susie thrived. She seemed to absolutely bloom under Sharlene and Hal's care. During the last 18 months, Craig and I received so many wonderful pictures of our little girl.

A few times Susie would become listless and would catch URIs. Last month she just seemed to lose interest in all around her. She wasn't alert, no longer played and no longer seemed to enjoy life like healthy cats do. We knew that her time was short. Finally, last weekend, Shar had to make THE decision.

If there is one thing I could have had since knowing of her, it would have been to hold my Susie just once, to stroke her glossy coat and to look into her beautiful green eyes. But it wasn't meant to be. However, I'm so grateful that Susie had a chance to live a normal life in a loving, secure, and happy home.

Susie, I miss you so. No more updates on your playful antics, no more pictures arriving on a regular basis. But know how much you meant to Craig and me, to Sharlene and Hal. You will always have a special corner deep in our hearts. You will always be part of us. Until we met at the Bridge, Little One ...

The following poem seems so appropriate, as though Susie is speaking to Shar and me.

I Never Went Away

I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peep.
I could see that you were crying, you found it hard to sleep.
I purred to you softly as you brushed away a tear,
"It's me, I haven't left you, I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here."

I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea,
You were thinking of the many times, your hands reached down to me.
I was with you at the shops today, your arms were getting sore.
I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.

I was with you at my grave today, you tend it with such care.
I want to reassure you, that I'm not lying there.
I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key.
I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said, "It's me."

You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair.
I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there.
It's possible for me, to be so near you everyday.
To say to you with certainty, "I never went away."

You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew ...
In the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.
The day is over ... I smile and watch you yawning
And say "Goodnight, God bless, I'll see you in the morning."

And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide,
I'll rush across to greet you and we'll stand, side by side.
I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see.
Be patient, live your journey out ... then come home to be with me.
~ Author Unknown ~

You were our beloved boy. From chasing leaves at the window, to fighting with Ashke every night, you were always close to your instincts. How we will miss your demanding ways. We will miss you demanding food, demanding attention, demanding to be in our laps. Your personality was truly unique. Your life was too short. And although we may never know what was truly wrong with you, or why you were taken, we will surely never forget you. Take wing little boy, we will see you again someday.

Jake was the baby, the little brother, to his big fur brother, Tigger. Jake was so young, so full of life. He was your typical kitten, curious and mischevious, always with that wide-eyed, "I didn't do it" look. I can still see him playing with a ladybug that was crawling on the floor in front of him, just moments before he died in a freak accident in our home. He loved to wrestle with his big brother, Tigger, and was just a loveable and sweet fur baby. He is missed every day, and tears flow for him all the time. He is with his grandma now, and hopefully together they can care for each other. We will see you again at the Rainbow Bridge, my Jake. Love Always, Mommy, Daddy, Tigger and Buster.

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