Friday 20 September 2013

A sad week


I am not joining in the weekly celebrations post this week because, well quite frankly, I'm not in a celebratory mood. It has been a sad week in our house. Our beautiful, loving cat, Buttons, died suddenly. Now I know she was a very good age, she lived a full and happy life, but you are never ready to let go. Buttons had been part of our family for over 17 years, my youngest daughter was only a few months old when we rescued her. And it was rescued in the true sense.

At the time we lived in a very old farmhouse with several run down barns outside. A feral cat (Buttons' mum) gave birth in the roof of one of these barns to five kittens. Tragically, the mother cat was run over and killed when the kittens were only about 4 weeks of age. As they were a totally wild family of cats we didn't realise straight away and sadly two of the kittens were killed by a dog.  Determined to stop the same fate for the remaining kittens my husband climbed up into the roof and, not without injury and numerous scratches, we managed to find the three tiny bundles and pull them to safety.

Our next problem of course was that they were too young to survive without a mother so we contacted a local vet for advice and before we knew it we were hand feeding three kittens with special formula in tiny pipettes. At that stage we didn't know if they would live or die but we had to try. We kept them in a utility room which was warm from a boiler. Naturally they were very scared to start with but gradually they got to know us and slowly started to gain weight. It was a pretty full on job! Young kittens can't go to the loo on their own either so part of our nursing job involved rubbing their bladders to encourage them to go for a wee!

We must have done something right because all three survived and were weaned. They were called, Holly, Ruby and Buttons. (Strange choices some thought because Holly and Ruby were boys but hey!) Sadly Ruby died aged about 7 from a tumour.  Holly died a few years ago, also from a tumour, aged about 12. Buttons had always been the shy one of the bunch and it wasn't till she was left without her brothers that she craved our attention so much. She was a truly wonderful cat, never happier than when she was curled up beside one of us on the sofa. She would purr so loudly we often had to turn the TV up! If I was sat writing she would keep me company and she was always there waiting at the door when I came in from work.

If there is one thing to be thankful for is that Buttons was happy till the last. Monday morning she had seemed fine, ate some breakfast, then went into the garden for a few minutes for her morning stroll. She never ventured further than the garden these days. My daughter had seen her that lunch time and all appeared fine. But by the time I returned around 4pm she was obviously a very poorly cat. I rushed her straight to the vets but there was nothing they could do. We don't really know what happened but they think it might have been her liver.

So today's post is dedicated to Buttons, fat and furry and very purry. We will all miss you, you have left a hole in our hearts and a space on the sofa that will take a long time to fill.





40 comments:

  1. Sorry for your loss. It's never easy to say good-bye.

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  2. This is heartbreaking. We've only had our dog a year and even now, the attachment is sealed. Lots of cyber hugs... Take some time to say goodbye. X

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  3. Oh no! I know that words are a bit useless when you're missing someone you've loved for a long time - but I'm sorry you're so sad xxx

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  4. I am so sorry about your cat Suzanne, Your cat and my late cat Tabitha looked so alike. My cat was diabetic and needed shots twice a day, she lived until she was 14 also a good age.
    Take time to say goodbye, savour those precious memories. My thoughts will be with you.
    Yvonne xx

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  5. I'm so sorry. Pets are like family and it's so hard to let them go. Button looks like she was a very happy cat.

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  6. I'm so sorry for your loss. Buttons was obviously a very special girl and it's clear she had a wonderful life with your family. I know how hard it is to say goodbye to a beloved cat and I will be thinking of you. Take care.

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  7. I'm so sorry about Buttons, but I loved your story about her and her brothers and how they joined your family. When I was born, my mom had 2 cats who had kittens, and I spent years with cats. Of course I got my own after I moved out and got married. Sadly, they're all gone, and I can't bring myself to get another because I know exactly how you feel at the moment. Words can't describe how wonderful pets are. :-)

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  8. So sorry about Buttons, Suzanne. I know it's a very sad time for you and no one really has the words to help you feel better. But you were always a hero to Buttons and you gave her a beautiful life.

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  9. Oh no. I'm so sorry about Buttons, Suzanne. Big hugs :(

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  10. Never easy what so ever no matter the age, but she sure looks happy and lived a good long life.

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  11. So sorry for your loss. It's wonderful however that you were able to save her and she was able to have a long and happy life.

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  12. Oh no, I'm so sorry for your loss :(
    She was a beautiful cat, and it sounds like she had a happy life. Losing a pet is so hard, my thoughts are with you.

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  13. Sorry about losing your friend. That's always so hard. Arms around.

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  14. Oh I love my animals so I don't think mourning the loss of your sweet kitty is silly at all. Hugs-- I'm sorry. It is sad. I'm so glad she had your loving home for her life.

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  15. Oh Suzanne I am so sorry for your loss, pets are SO part of our family and it is so upsetting when they go. I was moved reading Buttons story. My thoughts are with you.

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  16. I'm so sorry for your loss.
    RIP Buttons.

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  17. and what a pretty little cat she was. I am so sorry for you lose it is terrible to lose a furry friend, they definitely become a part of the family. RIP Buttons and big hugs too you.

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  18. I'm so sorry to hear about Buttons. It's so hard to lose a member of your family.

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  19. This is so sad! I am sorry, she was so beautiful~
    I love the touching tribute-you did amazing job rescuing her and her brothers~
    Hugs to you and your family!

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  20. Aw. RIP Buttons.

    17 years is a good long life for a cat. I had one as a child that lived to be 21. I got her when I was 4. And I was there til her last day. It's so heartbreaking. I know how you feel. As hard as it is to hear, after you grieve, a new pet will fill you with love again. ((hugs))

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  21. So sorry for your loss. I love my cats and dogs they are my children, they love us unconditionally.

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  22. Oh my and bless you and your family. The loss of your cat, a cherished family member. Buttons, always loved and never forgotten.

    In kindness and on behalf of my human, Gary,

    Penny the Jack Russell dog.

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  23. Thank you all so very much for your kind words. I told the family about all your messages of support and they are amazed that our little Buttons is now known to so many lovely people around the globe.

    One of the things I love most about this blogging community is that we can all come together to support each other through the highs and lows of life that we all experience.

    Blessings and thanks to you all

    Suzanne x

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  24. Dear Suzanne .. losing a faithful pet is always so difficult and your children will be distraught too.

    Buttons' story, with her siblings, is a tale to tell - they were lucky and had a wonderful home ... but 17 years is a long long time ..

    .. still I can feel your desperation and that gap on the sofa, or lap, or lack of purring comfort ..

    With thoughts - Hilary

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  25. I'm so sorry for your loss, Suzanne. It is hard when you lose a beloved family pet. My thoughts go out to you and your family.

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  26. Dear Suzanne, Sending lots of loving thoughts to you and your family during this time of sadness and transition. I have lost so many cats over the years and each one has been heart breaking. They really do become part of the family.

    I had to write a post similar to this last year. We actually lost brother cats within a weekend. The first one had diabetes for several years and we were expecting it. What we weren't expecting was for his sweet brother to follow him two days later by throwing a clot. We did everything we could for him and finally realized that he just couldn't be here without his brother.

    Many blessings to you.

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    1. Hi Morgan, welcome to my blog it is nice to *meet* you. So sorry to hear you lost two cats in one weekend, that must have been horrible. Cats are so intuitive as you say maybe they needed to be together. We have another cat, Tilly. She is 6 years old and very independent, not a fussy, sit on your knee kinda girl. But I'm sure she is missing Buttons too and she has even let me tickle behind her ears which is a rare treat.

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  27. Oh, Suzanne,

    I am so sorry for your lose. Losing a pet is like losing a family member. I went through it many times over the years and it's always devastating.

    Sending cyber hugs...

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  28. I'm sorry for your loss,my thoughts are with you and your family.
    http://michperez.blogspot.com/2013/09/celebrate-small-things-september-20-2013.html

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  29. Bubbles is almost identical to our Fritz-girl, a wonderful cat we lost in May. She was 17 and so very tired. Still makes me teary thinking of her. Now our Garagee is getting on in years and having difficult walking some days. Not to mention pooping. Oh dear, here comes the tears. I best just say how very sorry I am and get back to work. It's just that they give us such love and such joy, it's hard to say goodbye.

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    1. It's been a week now and I'm still expecting her to be there when I come through the door. Our pets are like a part of the family and I think that is how it should be. Sorry you are experiencing similar heartache.

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  30. A death in the family is a death in the family--regardless of whether the expected life span is met. Way to keep a healthy cat for so long! Right there is a reason to celebrate. We had terrible luck with our kitties always meeting a terrible demise--cars, lost while on a Canadian vacation, dehydrated by being stuck in the garage when the pet sitter failed on the job... Well, I'm glad you had such a long time to enjoy Buttons.

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  31. I'm sorry that you lost your beloved cat, especially when it wasn't expected. I'm just glad that your family rescued her and gave her and the other cats such a wonderful and happy long life. RIP Buttons.

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  32. So sorry for your loss. I know from experience how devastating it is - once with a 17 yr old cat, and once with a 15 yr old dog. They bring such joy to our lives, and it hurts for a long time after they're gone. But it does get better.

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  33. What a sad turn of events. I'm so sorry for you and your family. Cats are such wonderful companions. I'm sure you'll miss Buttons very much.

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  34. She was a beautiful cat. I'm so sorry for your loss.

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  35. Oh, I'm so sorry to hear about this. Losing a pet is so hard, and suddenly is so heartbreaking with no time to get ready. My thoughts are with you. Great rescue story, though! Thanks for sharing.
    Tina @ Life is Good

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  36. Ooohh, Suzanne. I'm so sorry about Buttons. I don't know what I would do if I lost my Sophie. She has kept me sane during my recovery. My deepest condolences. Many people don't realize that losing a pet is like losing a member of your family. My thoughts are with you.

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  37. Suzanne, I am sorry to hear about your loss. Buttons was a beautiful cat.

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  38. Yup, there's nothing like the friendship of our pets. Though it's heartbreaking to lose them, I would rather have that than to have missed that companionship! Buttons looked happy to have had his forever home with you!

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