We none of us planned on it. But Ysabel, I think, had picked her moment. She always slept with me. And she was unusually ‘with me’ last night, but today, surprising both Jane and me, she woke up with serious problems. She stayed for Jane’s birthday, catching, we think, the mood of anticipation and happiness in the house. She stayed for the party, she said her goodbyes last night. Today was the day. We took her to the vet in Efanor’s blanket, by purest accident: we didn’t know which one we’d taken, but she smelled it all over, and that made her happy. She walked into her cage on her own, as she did for every trip. She’s in no more pain or distress now. And I’m just kind of at loose ends, and lost. She and Efanor knew all four of our parents, who now are gone; they knew all the places we’ve lived together, but one; they were there for the move north and there for every trip south. So now we’re hurting, Jane and I, with a pain that’s for both of them. Here’s to two excellent kittehs, and so many, many good years. She’s buried right next to Efanor, beside the pond, under the red Japanese maple, under a shared stone.
We lost Ysabel today…
by CJ | Oct 25, 2011 | Journal | 66 comments
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I’m so sorry.
May they rest in peace. My thoughts are with you.
You’ve not only lost a beloved family member, but a connection with another generation.Through your blogs your 4-footed family members have become part of our circle .
How lovely that Ysabel and Efanor are together. My heart is with you and Jane.
Condolences. Loosing a friend and family member is always hard…
My thoughts are with you both.
Sorry that she is gone. I hope you can remember the good times she was around for and that they help a little with the loss.
Sorry for your loss.
Thanks, everyone.
She was an ornery little empress right to the end, complaining about the vet’s catheter technique, but she was also clearly ready to be out of pain. While she waited, she buried her nose in the white “fur” of the blanket, nosing around, scenting Efanor. She was very upset when we made our last visit to Chip’s and Efanor wasn’t there waiting.
Those two were never separated, from the time we brought Efanor home, except for the time our cars got separated on the move up to Spokane….until Efanor left us last spring. Now, they’re curled next to each other…here… and raising, er, hell in heaven. They were active youngsters and I’m sure have resumed their riotous ways with Elrond and Khym, and Dustbunny and Warp and all the others who have preceded them.
Shu and Seishi are a bit spooked—Shu was very clingy last night—but Seishi filled in this morning for both Ysabel’s brushing time and his own….Life goes on.
Hugs to everyone with a special squeeze for those who are actively under the same little cloud of loss.
They live such short lives compared to us yet leave such big holes when they depart. At times like this I love this piece by Suzette Hadin Elgin:
DEATH (for one who has died
You go from us
into a new becoming;
we rejoice for you and wish you an easy journey
into the Light.
The winds will speak to us of you,
the waters will mention your name;
snow and rain and fog,
first light and last light,
all will remind us that you had
a certain way of being
that was dear to us.
You go back to the land you came from
and on beyond.
We will watch for you,
from Time to Time.
Amen.
oh dear, how very sad, I’m very sorry to read this … forewarned but always unexpected when these dear animals get old … what a lovely resting place though ..
I’m truly sorry. It is the passing of our short-lived but no less loved ones that informs our appreciation of the sweet agony of love between humans and the very long-lived which we encounter in Fantasy and SF.
So sorry to hear, but it sounds like her time had come. It’s never easy. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
I am so sorry to hear this. My thoughts are with you and Jane and the kittehs.
Condolences. I am sure you will meet again.
I’m so sorry to hear this. May your memories of her be a blessing and a comfort.
So hard to say goodbye. Hugs from me and purrs and rubs from the kittehs. When I moved to where I lived now, I brought three kittehs with me. Now there’s only one kitteh who remembers the old place were I lived for nearly 21 years (that was demolished shortly after I moved to make way for a freeway). My boss had to have her yellow lab released from her pain on Friday. It’s been a hard week.
I am so sorry. I recently lost my 17 year old RiffRaff. He was a great cat and I miss him a lot. It always hurts so much to lose such dear friends.
CJ, I’m so so sorry…
I know that no mere words I say can ease the pain of Ysabel’s passing, but please accept these.
Bast, Sekhmet, we give you back your child.
Noble, regal, honorable cat.
Watch over her, and guide her on her way
to the spirit world.
May she be blessed in your names,
and hunt ever after beside you.
I’m so sorry for your loss. A pet with personality like Ysabel becomes part of your family, and it leaves a hole in your life that no other cat can quite fill, not in just the same way.
But the happenstance of her travelling the last time with Efanor’s blanket, smelling him all around her and being happy about that, when she was on her way to meet up with him again, gave me a feeling of peace and fulfillment to the end of her well-lived life: kitteh-friends together again.
Thank you all so much.