Tiny naughty tortie
You purred, and what a purr it was.
Fierce, fast and feisty,
You dispatched many a mouse, shrew and baby bird
Stole food from our plates and mouths
Slapped us awake with an unsheathed claw
Ruled our home with a paw of iron.
Tired, frail tortie.
Stiffy rising from your warming basket
Tottering to greet us
Still purring, what a purr it is
Peeing randomly, meowing confusedly
Once beautiful coat tattered and thin
Clouded eyes still seeking our attention.
19 years of faithful feline love.
But legs no longer holding,
Purring ceased.
Time to say goodbye
Gently, kindly, no bright lights and sterile bench
But softly sleeping in your basket
This afternoon, at home in my arms as the injection gently stopped her heart. She made the decision for us on Wednesday night when she stumbled and her legs wobbled, and yesterday she simply grew weaker. I stayed off work today and spent it lying next to her as she could no longer walk but she still tried to respond to me.
How we will miss her, my feisty naughty ruler of the house.
One of my favourite photos from a couple of years ago... telling me to get off my laptop!