RIP Ms. Lefty (2001 - 2013)

Yesterday, we had to have Ms. Lefty put to sleep since she had recently quit eating and had gone into liver failure.  Although we know it was the right thing to do, it was way more difficult than either Jim or I had anticipated. 

You have to understand, this is the cat who has been through so much with me.  She was there through my horrific first marriage and even more horrible end of that marriage and divorce;  the highs and lows of graduate school; a move to Idaho; job changes; a new marriage; two kids.  While anyone hardly ever saw her because she was extremely shy and skittish due to her own abuse history.  She was my little buddy that always new when I was sad and would snuggle with me at night when she knew I needed cheering up.  She also had extra toes on her front paws that made her paws look like little hands that she would wrap around  your arm while you scratch her stomach.  She wasn't demanding or obnoxious.  She just wanted to be loved in the quiet moments.  She was the only cat we wanted to take with us to the new house and would never consider giving away, yet she was the first to go.

I'm really starting to hate the month of February.  My uncle, my father-in-law, and now my cat have all died in February, the month that is supposed to be about love.  In a weird way, maybe it is more appropriate they all did.  They have all been a stark reminder of loving those you love all the more because you never will know when you have to say goodbye.  I guess, more appropriately, I should say I hate saying goodbye.