Bon Voyage Galsie!

This is Galsie at her last Saturday night meal before heading off to college. Of course, crab legs and champagne were on the menu. I'm gonna miss her, but am very excited for her. If only I would have known all that she would accomplish when she was just a little 3 1/2 pounder. I would have been able to enjoy her so much more, and worry so much less! Here's to you, Gals-o-Button, o' mine!

Dear BudBud

Dear BudBud,

Now that you are gone, I can only hope that I did the right thing, and you were as comfortable as possible. I am sorry if I went against anything that you wanted, perhaps out of selfishness. I could not bear to think of you dying alone somewhere, and then never finding you. I did not think you would make the trip to the vet, to be put down, and you would die a scary death in my car. I am sorry if I did not read your wishes correctly. I know you had a long and wonderful life, I only hope the end was as painless as possible, and my voice comforted you in some way. You were a wonderful member of our family, and we miss you, and love you dearly.

May She Rest In Peace

Today, at 5:30 pm, my little BudBud passed away, outside on our back deck, as Gary and I pet her and told her it was ok to go. We were all able to say our final goodbyes before her passing. She is buried under a Mimosa tree at the woodline of our field. As best as we can remember, she came to us in April of 1989. She was a wonderful cat, and will be missed. Our house already feels empty.

My Little BudBud

I know she is letting us gradually get used to her not being here. She is spending all her time outside, under the walkway, hidden away, coming out only to eat - when I make her. I have to tell her I love her through the cracks of the wooden slats and tears. She barely drinks all the milk that contains her hyperthyroid medicine. I have to make her come in at night, as I am afraid of something getting her, and her unable to defend herself or escape. Christopher declares, "Oh, I haven't seen her in so long!" He lays on the floor, and she still curls up next to him. She is wanting him to forget about her, but she still can't resist the heat of his body. I just hope she is not in pain. Her breathing is extremely labored now. I know I will find her motionless at some point soon. I cry every day for the cat she was. Oh, just to see her run to her food bowl one more time, to feel her claw at my leg when I didn't get her food fast enough. To see her destroy one of Christopher's lego sets in a mad fury would be wonderful. To see her play with her Zhu Zhu pet.
But she is staying away. Her heart can't take the sound and activity. She has to keep quiet and calm, and concentrate on breathing. And in the mean time, she is teaching us to live without her.

I Know These Days are Limited

Seeing BudBud sunning outside is a sight I am cherishing right now. I feel that the time is coming soon that she will no longer be with me. She has had a long and full life.