Remembering and Missing My Cats Lola and Rocky

by Mary
(North Carolina)

It is June 5, 2011
A VERY SAD day in my life.
One year ago today I lost my dear LOLA and ROCKY

Rocky had been suffering from Colon Cancer for 2 years and had declined to the point that he had no quality of life and was suffering. I had arranged with the vet to bring him in that day to help him cross the bridge (not a decision I was looking forward to) but watching him suffer was something I could not do any longer. Rocky was 16 years old.

But the night before we had a very unexpected occurance.
Lola (only 3 years old) fell off the kitchen counter and damaged her spine to the point that she had no use of her back legs and lost all bladder and bowel control.
Strangly enough...she was not in pain but obviously paralized.
I took her in the next morning with Rocky in hopes that the vet could do something for her.
Sadly, they found she had a spinal tumor and the fall caused the tumor to put strss on her spine and severed the nerves to her back legs and elimination control.
The vet said she would never walk again on her own or have any elimination control.
I knew this would take away any quality of life that she had.
There was only one thing to do and that was to also help her cross the bridge.

I loved and STILL LOVE them both dearly and letting them go was devastating for me and I have cried almost everyday since they left me, but I know they are not suffering.
It is so hard to let go of these babies who become so much a part of our life and our home but sometimes the time comes when we must do what is best for them.

I got up this morning and immediately looked at their URN and my heart ached to just see them run through the house once more.
Just the mention of their names is more than I can bear sometimes.
Last year was a BAD year for loss in my home.
I not only lost Lola an Rocky but also lost Snickers (16 years old) to kidney disease, Ozzy(12 years old to Cancer) J.J (FIV + to Cancer). Five in a year was TERRIBLE

So far 2011 has been a better year for my feline family.

My Max (who is FIV+ and 15 years old is doing fairly well but suffering with recurring bouts of Stomatitis which is a FIV related issue) He is on meds monthly and hopefully will be with me many more years.

I adopted a new FIV + cat on Easter Sunday named GILLY.
Gilly was living in the woods behind a Car Dealership in Florida
(I am in North Carolina) and the dealership was threatening to take him to the pound. I could not allow them to dispose of him so I went on Easter Sunday all the way to Florida to rescue this handsome boy. He is settled and very happy here in his new home.

My other felines are doing well and no health issues (thank goodness).
I am giving them all hugs and kisses tonight and they are helping me get through the sadness of losing Lola and Rocky a year ago today.

Wherever you guys are
(Lola, Rocky, Ozzy, Snickers and J.J)
I LOVE YOU DEARLY and MISS YOU STILL!

Mary in N.C