Monday, November 4, 2013

Chyna Cat Sunflower

Hello Friends,
Sad tidings today... I really don't like writing posts like this, and it doesn't seem like it's been two years since I wrote one like it about our Butchie boy. This was so unexpected and so quick, I almost feel like I still don't know quite what to say about it.  

Last week we lost our kitty grand dame, our beautiful Chyna Cat Sunflower. 

Chyna was a regal queen of a cat. She lived a good life and was in good health her whole life, a sturdy, steadfast feline if ever there was one. Late last week, she rather suddenly seemed unwell, she didn't look herself at all and she was weak.

I took her to the veterinarian last Saturday morning and had a gambit of tests run on her only to find out that her kidney's were rapidly failing and she was indeed quite ill. 

Immediately, we began to do everything we could for her, fluids, antibiotics, B-12 injections, liquid iron supplements, Pedialyte, special foods, but she faded so fast. Cats have the rather awful ability to hide their sickness from you, and when it finally becomes apparent that there's something wrong, it's often too late to do much about it. Such was the case with Chyna.

Just five days after diagnosis, in the early hours of Halloween morning, she quietly made her way out of this world and on to the next. Chyna died here at home with Egypt right by her side, he was her constant companion her entire life. 

This is one of the last pictures I took of them together, the evening before she passed away.

They snuggled together every night from the time we added her to our family, twelve and a half years ago, their last night was no exception. He seemed so protective, so worried that night...

I think he and I both knew that she was at the end of her road. Egypt hasn't been well either, and I'm so worried about him. He's over 19 years old himself, and I'll be honest - I'm so scared that now she's gone he won't stay with me long, either. I hope with all my heart that my worries amount to nothing, only time will tell.


It never, never crossed my mind that we might lose her first, she was seven years younger than he is, and apart from being a hefty gal, she had always been in good health. 

Oh, sweet Chyna Cat, you are missed so much.

When we found her Thursday morning, we sat together for a long time, us at the critters. Egypt of course had been with her, but the dogs had not and we wanted them to see and smell her a bit so that they would understand that she was gone, they nosed her gently, then jumped up on the bed with me and sat very still and quiet. I think they were mourning, too.

I took this picture of the three of them, Egypt, Lola & Boswell that morning as we sat with her, before taking her body to the veterinarians for cremation. Those sunbeams are falling exactly where we found her, just outside her bed, right under the window. I didn't see them until after I'd taken the picture and they struck me as so beautiful... Even though Chyna was already gone, it felt like this quiet, still time was our last moment together. Bittersweet.

Thank you for visiting today and kindly reading about our sweet Chy, I could go on & on about her, she was quite a gal... You would have loved her.
oxo,
Lisa

10 comments:

Ann said...

So sorry for your loss. Chyna sounds like a very special kind of kitty.

Chris said...

So sorry for the loss of your family member. She was so beautiful.

Beedeebabee said...

Oh Lisa, I'm so sorry. This is a beautiful post, but it was so heartbreaking to read. I know how much you love all your fur babies. She was a real beauty. I hope Egypt gets through this okay. I love the sunbeams. Sending you lots of love and a big hug my sweet friend. xoxo

Deb said...

I'm so sorry to read this, Lisa. It is so hard to lose our beloved cats. I hope your sweet memories of her soon put a smile on your face. She was a lucky cat to have a home and your love all her life. Rest in Peace, Chyna Cat. Hugs, Deb

giddy99 said...

Oh, I'm so sorry for your loss! My Butchie passed suddenly of a mysterious illness, too - it was traumatic for all of us. HUGS.

Mad said...

I'm so sorry :(

meredith said...

I'm so sorry, Lisa. It is so hard to lose a pet friend. I hope your Egypt hangs in there.

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

I have been through this so many times. It's hard to know that someone else at this very moment is experiencing these feelings. Saying anything seems so lame, but all your friends here wish that soon your joyous memories will overshadow the sad.
xx, Carol

beadgirl said...

Oh, I'm so sorry Lisa; she was a lovely cat. The same thing happened to one of my cats this summer; over the course of a weekend she got extremely sick, and when I took her to the vet on Monday I found out she had severe kidney failure. It sucks, doesn't it?

CatBird said...

Hi, Even though it's September of 2017, I just now came across your page. It brought me to tears while reading. Your girl Chyna is the same type of cat as my boy Dusty. My Dusty passed suddenly an March 8, 2012 at the age of 8. I've missed him badly. He was the constant companion of my calico BabyGirl, (& always was by my side too), just like your two. I hope your Chyna & my Dusty have met each other at Rainbow Bridge. Your story touched my heart deeply because of the similarities. I hope you see this.
Thank you,
Elisabeth.