my turn

For my 11th birthday I wanted a cat... (Wait... who am I kidding... I've wanted a cat for every birthday... every Christmas... I could become a cat hoarder in a minute... but thank goodness I have learned self control. ) My previous cat Windsor had passed away from Liver failure. On that extremely tragic day, for this little 8 year old girl... my daddy promised me I could get a new one (I'm pretty sure he regrets saying that to this day.) But as most pet promises go...  The time had never been right... we didn't have the time... or money... or energy... But on my 11th birthday... I received a cat bed... no cat...  but a bed for a cat. 

It could only mean one thing... we were going to get her! 

Little did I know that my sweet neighbors kitty had been "rolling in the hay" (ever seen Young Frankenstein?)  with the kitty across the street... and my parents had made arrangements for me to receive one of her kittens. 

She was born on July 14th. And they called her "brave heart"...  She was the runt of the litter and as cute as cute can be. 

When she was little I would shove her in my front overall pocket and ride my bike down the street... nothing could be better... 

Then she grew up... into the funniest cat you would ever meet... she's never been very bright... but she has always had a heart of gold. 

When I became ill in high school... she was there... She sat with me... snuggled with me... loved on me... 

When my heart was broken she was there to listen... 

When I had so much joy it was bursting out like a ray of sunshine... she would give her sweet little meow...

This past year... she has been my constant companion... laying next to whichever leg hurt... I don't know how she knows... but somehow... she gets it. She will give me space when I need it... and snuggle up to my head when I start to cry... she is a gift from the heavens. 

But this week... Something was wrong... I could see it in her eyes. I could feel it in her actions... She was sick. 

My sweet sweet kitty, Chatelaine, whom I love so dearly was extremely lethargic... and  dehydrated. Her eyes were sunken... and my heart was breaking. 

I made an appointment at a new vet... I didn't like the previous one who suggested "exploratory surgery" for a bladder infection back in September. I researched online (fretting that she might not make it through the night) and bought her some pedialyte to help her hydrate... Mixed it with tuna juice so it would be appealing... and she took it.

The next day we went in... the vet was wonderful!  Very sweet... didn't rush me... her office was clean... and she smelled nice... not like dog... and best part... she was affordable!

She did an ultrasound for me (free of charge) and ran some bloodwork... She also put some fluids in my sweet Chate's neck... and told me she would call with the results... 

This morning... She was already feeling better... hopping around like normal... jumping on my head... the fluids had helped a ton! 

The vet called and told me... something that a kitty lover never wants to hear... she has kidney disease... which eventually leads to kidney failure. 

My heart sunk... the tears started flowing... 

She is in the beginning stages... and apparently with proper diet cats can live a long time with it.

But it doesn't change the fact that we are running out of time.. I know that everyone dies... but she isn't supposed to... at least not until I am 99... that has been our rule... I am so sad.

I want to soak in these moments... snuggle as much as possible... love love and love some more... take lots of pictures and videos... so that some day... I can tell my kids about my kitty... that helped me through the hardest time in my life... and I know that God sent her to me... to comfort me... and encourage me... and help me.

 My sweet Chatelaine... you have done your job... you have loved me with all my heart... you have taken care of me for so long...

And now... it is my turn to take care of you... I love you my kitty.

xoxo- me