Nizzy
October 11, 1993 - November 1, 2008
I call this blog Just Painting because it isn't meant to be a diary of my life, but here I make an exception to honor my 15 year old female cat, Nizzy, who has lived with us since she was 7 weeks old. Back then, I had called a newspaper ad for free kittens and the lady said, 'you got lucky, they were all gone but, the guy who took her also took one of her litter mates and was forced to return one." That was Nizzy. She got lucky too. I can't even tell you what fools Don and I are over these cats.She has not been herself for a week or so and yesterday she was diagnosed with chronic renal failure kidney damage, typical in older cats. She just hit 15 on October 11th.
To make a long story short, after spending an overnight trying to force water and food on her, I knew in my heart, that I had to let her go, and I did. She passed peacefully. I had the vet come to the house. I had her in my arms, my head right against hers, and I never felt her go. I tucked her into a beautiful Oriental themed box with fleece and a beautiful pillowcase and she looked asleep. The last thing she heard was my voice. I buried her in my small backyard and when I put the sod back, My dear friend Suzie , who witnessed this with me, noticed that there was clearly a heart shape in the moss. I placed a heart shaped rock there. It went way better than I would have thought, and I am gratefully at peace with my decision. One thing we seem to all have in common is deep love for our animal friends. Thanks all, for your support. It was a long day.
32 comments:
I am so sorry for the loss of your special Nizzy...but remember, she was a lucky, lucky kitty in a good home..and a beauty queen too!
Hi how are you? I just wanted to stop by and say hello. I don't want to be a stranger so here ... a hug and a kiss for you!
I hope you are well and happy like me :)
Dear Mary, I just stopped by to see what you've been painting and am so sorry to read about the loss of your poor kitty. She was a beautiful girl and the photos are so soft and painterly.
Mary,
My condolences for the loss your Nizzy.
I went through a similar experience when I had to let my cat (SamBuka) of 14 years go. I can tell from your beautiful photos she was well loved and happy.
Wonderful photos of Nizzy. May she rest in peace.
Big hug,
Paz
Sorry to hear of your loss, sounds like she had a long loving life but it's hard to part with a beloved pet.
~I can see that you loved you kitty very much~
Our best dog, Shelty, passed in Aug.~
~We do miss him very much~ I am so sorry for your loss~
~Amy~
I am so sorry MAry....I put my 18 year old girl to sleep in August....I actually regret we hadn;t done it sooner. We thought were being humane by keeping her with us and it turned out she had been really sick for a long time and we didn't know it...So I went to the vet feeling guilty for puttine her to sleep and I left wishing I hadn't made her suffer as long as I did. You did the right thing letting her go peacefully....I wish a vet would have come to my house. How much nicer than putting them in the car and getting them all worked up...Again I am so sorry. Nizzy was beautiful...WHat a sturdy looking girl! Do you know at night sometimes I still wake up and feel my kitty lying on my butt (I used to call her my little heating pad), and then I realize it is just my imagination, but it feels as real as anything! Kooky cat lady, arent I? ;-)
Thank you all so much.
I'm so sorry...losing a friend like that is so sad and what a beautiful cat. It's always so hard, remembering back, losing my dog...loyal friend...
blessings to you.
Loss is so exhausting...my thoughts are with you - Cara
Hey Mary, it's a tough go. We just went through the same situation with our 16 year old. It's an awfully hard thing. Take care.
Jeffrey
Oh Ree, I'm so, so sorry to hear about Nizzy :( I know just where you're at. You don't want to give up on them , but you also don't want to prolong their suffering.
On the positive side, Sugar was also on Prednisone and one of the side effects was a dramatically increased appetite. With any luck, that (and your tremendous love) will work in Nizzy's favor.
My heart and prayers are with you,
xoxoxoxo,
Chrissie
I am cutting and pasting comments I received in email, thus this last post, which I received late last Friday night.
These comments are very meaningful to me, and I thank you.
Dear Mary,
I am so sorry for your loss sweetheart. I know the heartache of losing our trusted companions and feel for you. Cut yourself some slack for a while. It will take time to heal.
Your friend , Diane Scott
I just read your blog entry. Nizzy was a lucky girl to have you as her best human friend. She looked like one of the kitten from the Golden Books, she must have been an adorable baby. How compassionate and loving you were to her. Some of us have had many turns on this earth and are the most compassionate people - you are one of them. I'm so sorry for you. Wendell must be beside himself looking for her.
I tried to comment on your blog but the box kept coming up blank. Then I couldn't navigate to the Not Really A Cleaning Lady blog, either, it was PAge Not Found. That Blogger!
Well, take it easy on yourself girl, I'm sending a *hug* your way. You are the best. She left a Nizzy sized hole in the night sky....
xoxox Kell
Mary
I am so sorry. I know what you are going thru.
Spike and Gracie send there condolences.
And Lenny and Chandler.
See you this weekend.
Love Kathi
Mary,
I'm so sorry, to hear about Nizzy. She's gone over the Rainbow Bridge waiting to see you again.
I so painfully understand. May GOD Bless you.....
Love Diane & Jamey
Loss is so exhausting...my thoughts are with you - Cara
Hey Mary, it's a tough go. We just went through the same situation with our 16 year old. It's an awfully hard thing. Take care.
Jeffrey
Dear Mary & Don,
So sorry to hear about Nizzy, it's so sad to lose them..
Her pictures are Great.. How's Wendl doing??
How have you folks been, we missed not seeing you last year. Everything here is going well, lets try to get together this year when you come down. Will you heading down the begin of Jan.?
I'm really sorry to hear about Nizzy but keep in touch.
Love Ya,
Judy & Art
Oh Mary,
I am so very very sorry. I know the pain of loosing our best friends who force us to get up everyday because they wanna eat or go outside. He looks so much like my cat Thaxter who is also 15 years old and not in the greatest condition. He is a very happy kitty. He has a sister who is fine. I got them as kittens.
I can only hope and pray and believe that Nizzy is at total peace right now. I attached a picture of Thaxy.
I love you Mally!
Oh, Mare - I can’t tell you how badly I feel about Nizzy! Reminds me of how I felt when Bonnie left us. I know people say stuff about “only a cat (or dog or whatever), but there’s still a big place left empty. I still look around for Bonnie sometimes.
{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Mare}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
so sorry! nope i didn't know otherwise i woulda called or come by.
xoxo
So sorry for your loss. Nizzy appeared to have had a good life with you being so loved. xox
Hi Mary!
thank you for your lovely comments on my blog.
I just wanted to say I am so sorry for your loss of your beloved kitty Nizzy. I am happy she was with you and in your home when she passed. I hope you can take comfort in that fact. I hope you can share your home again with a loving creature, you deserve it.
Dawn
http://vulturecafe.blogspot.com
Mary,
You have brought tears to my eyes tonight. Sorry for the loss of your beloved feline companion. I can only imagine what it will be like for me when I lose my best friend, my chihuahua, Lita. Just remember how much joy Nizzy brought to your life...it was worth it. Take care
Thank you all SO Much.
I am going for a shelter cat. Even hubby is on board, albeit, reluctantly.
I looked at cats online and and the need for homes is great. Don and I would love to be adopted by a couple like ourselves. Cushy life here.
If anyone wants to share stories of how they integrated cats, please feel free.
Mary, just got caught up and read your lovely story about your Nizzy. Our Vesta is a 16-year old cat, also with renal problems, but as quirky and dear as she was as a bath-loving, person-cllimbing kitty. I love the idea of your cat crossing the Rainbow Bridge
oh, Mary, I'm very sorry for your loss.
All creatures, us humans included, should be so greatly loved!
Nizzy was as blessed to have your's & Don's love, as you were to have hers.
Now she rests, in very good company. Content. Her bowl will never empty, your words and coos of love will never fade. Every day full of perfect naps, in all of her favorite spots, until someday, you meet again.
xoxoxo
Thank you for sharing Nizzy with us. I know it's a long time ago, but these memories never go away. What also remains is all the positive memories which we are gifted with to have throughout our lives.
Sending lotsaluv
MAXMOM IN SOUTH AFRICA
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