Goodbye and Hello

It was so hard to say goodbye to my sweet Monica, but I know it was the only option. All the money in the world couldn’t have saved her. The veterinarian who came to the house did an amazing job, as did the staff at the animal crematorium. They were so professional and caring, and gave me a little certificate proclaiming she was treated with dignity and respect. I cried daily for about a week - first the diagnosis, then the grim news there was nothing to be done, then her health fading literally overnight, then the vet coming, then the crematorium calling, then the trip to pick up her ashes, then putting together a memory book, then my first few mornings without her on my bedside table meowing for breakfast, then, then….lots of thens when you’ve had a loyal pet for almost 11 years.

I wrote a post about how awesome she was and all the things that made her unique, but decided to save it for myself. It wouldn’t make very interesting reading for anyone who didn’t know her. I don’t think I could even choose one favorite thing about her to say here – there were so many!

Felix comforting Monica.

I lasted a whole week before browsing available kittens and cats online. I was looking for a light-colored female for allergy reasons, figuring I’d just see what’s out there and wait a month or so before going to get one. None of the shelter cats were said to be good with kids or other pets (I guess that’s why they’re there…) so I checked Craigslist. Someone had just posted about a litter of kittens available and it sounded like they had an orange female, like Monica was. It’s unusual for orange cats to be female, so I decided to go see her.

Felix and I drove 30 minutes to get to the house, and I told myself the whole way there that if she was too furry (allergies), too young, or didn’t have the right personality, I wouldn’t take her home. We got there, and not only was the kitty way too furry, she had a serious eye infection (which could signal a viral issue). When I said she wasn’t going to be right for us, the family said, “Oh, we have other kittens!” So we went to a back bedroom where 3 mama cats were with their 3 litters, all born around the same time. Most of the kittens had darker Siamese markings, and while cute, weren’t going to work in terms of personality and coloring. Then I spotted a little white kitty with just a hint of orange on his ears and tail…and the rest is history. We named him Leo and he is Felix's new best buddy.

Leo on his first night home.

Leo and Luisa met in person after about a week. They're aren't quite cuddling with each other yet, but they get along great.