This week is the 1^st anniversary of having to say good-bye to two wonderful cats, Gracie and LeeCee. Gracie died on Oct. 20, 2018 at the age of 11, and LeeCee died on Oct. 23, 2018 at the age of 16. Both deaths were expected, but I did not expect them to be so close together. Gracie, we never figured out what was wrong with her. LeeCee was diagnosed with lymphoma less than two weeks before she died.

Gracie and her surviving four kittens were my first attempt at TNR (trap, neuter, and release). In my naiveté, I ended up bringing the four kittens inside to tame and get adopted. They did, eventually, but that is when I learned what hard work that is, especially since I brought them inside at 4 months old, which is really too old to start with most ferals. Once they were finally out of the house, Gracie came in. She had been trying to come in for ages. She happily walked into the carrier to be brought inside (last time she ever did that!). One of my favorite pictures of Gracie is on my home page. Check it out!

LeeCee was a feral rescue brought into the shelter where I volunteered at the time. I was the first volunteer she came out of hiding for and the first one to hold her. Needless to say, she totally picked me! While I love all my cats, there are a few who have that extra special bond with you. LeeCee was one of those cats. She was super affectionate (even more remarkable since she started life as a true feral), and always slept with me at night. Her favorite thing was to cuddle on my chest when I took a nap on the couch. She was small enough to fit comfortably and we both napped very peacefully.

LeeCee continued to be her loving self, right up to the end. In what turned out to be her final hours, she struggled to get to me for some cuddling, even though that was not what she really wanted as she was obviously in discomfort. Unfortunately, I had a PT appt. to get to. I hugged her as best as she would let me. I told her I’d be back in 90 minutes and we’d figure out what needed to be done (thinking it would be the final car ride to the vet). When I returned, I immediately went looking for her and found her in the basement, where I had left her. I knew, at the first look, that she was gone. While I’m glad that she went on her own terms, I will always regret not being there with her. I miss her terribly. Here is one of my favorite pictures of her:

In a matter of a few days, I went from 6 cats to 4. While four cats is an ideal number for me, it will not last. It never does.