Shadow

Mary found you in a shelter in central Florida and brought you home. You were so small and reminded us so much of Chloe (our oldest cat at the time) you took to her and your adopted brothers quickly and grew into a beautiful cat. You became attached to my Mom and after Chloe passed, you were a source of comfort for her and she loved you dearly. When Mom passed you refused to leave her side and when you came around, you became attached to my Dad and you two grieved together. Then, six months later, Dad followed Mom and you went into a deep depression. You began hiding and stopped grooming yourself. You isolated yourself and began to revert to a feral state. Through patience and love we brought you back but the life had gone out of you. You would sleep in the closet and while you would come out for us and interact, you were not the same. Then suddenly, about three months ago, you began loosing weight. Never a big cat you stopped eating and became painfully skinny. Your blood work was normal although your white cell count was very high, and the ultrasound showed nothing unusual. We tried antibiotics with no results..you kept loosing weight. The vet thought it was bone marrow cancer. As you were getting worse and dying slowly in front of us, your mom and I made the hardest decision any pet parent has to make and helped you over the bridge. I knew you were ready to go when you didn’t fuss or even really move when we hand carried you to the vet. The life was gone from your eyes and we could tell you wanted to be with gran again. You passed in your Mom’s arms just like you had come home to us, and we cried as I’m crying now writing this. You were a gentle soul who provided love and comfort far in excess of your small size and I hope you found my Mom and Dad waiting for you on the bridge and your spirit moves on with them. We loved you and your passing leaves a hole in our home and in our hearts.