Thursday, December 22, 2011

Goodbye, Sweet Kimba

I first introduced you to Kimba, our outdoor cat, in THIS post.  Since then, her health has been declining, slowly and steadily.  Even at her advanced estimated age of 18 years old, she had a fantastic quality of life ... eating well, bright eyed and interested, greeting all of the humans who came to her porch. 



Yesterday morning, she was lying in the grass in one of her usual spots, but she didn't look like she was sleeping peacefully like she usually is.  I picked her up, and she struggled a bit (she doesn't like being carried).  I carried her to the porch to check her over, and when I sat her down, her back legs wouldn't support her weight.



 I settled Kimba into her heated box on the porch, and I went inside to get the phone to call our veterinarian.  I promise all our pets that I will never allow them to suffer.  The final ride in the car, with Kimba wrapped in a towel cradled in my lap, is one of the most heart-breaking things I know.  It is the ultimate kindness, though, and I bear the pain to make sure that my pets don't have to. 



Kimba was the Queen of Hartwood, the cat who came with our house when we bought it in 2002, and I cannot imagine not having her here.  She sat on the porch, or in the garden, surveying her domain and inspecting whatever was happening.  She came to our relationship frightened and distrustful ... and she left, sitting on my lap cradled in my arms, as a trusting member of the family, secure in the knowledge that she was loved.



Kimba's favorite place to nap was a sunny spot in the rose bed on the south side of our house.  I think this is the perfect spot to put her ashes.  She is a part of this place, and here she shall stay.



Rest in peace, sweet Kimba.  I miss you already.

38 comments:

  1. Oh Sweetie.. so sorry for this loss to Hartwood Manor. Kimba's ashes will rest safely there on your property forever. She was so beautiful. {{HUGS}} to you today.

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  2. I'm so sorry Connie. Kimba was a beauty and she clearly touched you heart.

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  3. When I saw the title to this post, my heart dropped. She was the first one to greet me at your house, right there on the front porch, such a sweet kitty!!! I'm so sorry Connie. You are the very best mommy to all your kids, whether two legged or four legged. Sending hugs and love! Donna :)

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  4. So weird that yesterday when I was reading your previous post.. at the bottom right next to it on the right was Kimba's picture, which I hadn't noticed before. I thought "I don't think I've ever told Connie I had a grey/white australian cattle dog named Kimba.. after the white lion cartoon I loved as a kid.



    So sorry for your loss, especially right before the holidays. What a great life, queen of the manor indeed.

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  5. I know exactly what you are feeling right now because my big baby, BooBoo, died last week.♥♫

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  6. I am so sad for you to lose her. But what beautiful words about taking the pain so she would not have to. Loving a pet is so joyful and enriches our lives. She will stay in your heart always. Big hugs to you today.

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  7. I'm so sorry about Kimba. 18 is a good long kitty life and she was lucky to have you. Hugs.

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  8. I am so sorry for you loss~Kimba was a beautiful cat~ My heart is filled with sadness for you~
    hugs to you~
    Teresa

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  9. Oh, I feel so sad for you. Pets hold such a special place in our hearts and it's hard to imagine life without them. Kimba was lucky to have someone who loved her so much. I lost my cat, Tucker, a few months ago and I still cry when I think or talk about him...sometimes it feels like I'll never get over it.

    Best wishes to you ♥

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  10. Connie I am so sorry for your loss...Kimba was and always will be a part of Hartwood Manor. Sweet kitties leave big paw prints on our hearts. I have tears in my eyes as I write this, the pain of having to say goodbye to them is so hard but not letting them suffer is the best gift you can give. Big Hugs to you, Linda

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  11. Oh Connie, I'm so sorry :( You sure are having a rough year. You did the right thing for Kimba and she loves you more for it.

    Hugs,

    Deb
    xoxo

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  12. I'm so sorry for your loss. What a sweet story of how your relationship grew to a loving, trusting one! Beautiful! And I think she will be happy with her final resting place!

    (((HUGS))) to you during this difficult time.

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  13. I always say it is a wonderful thing to be able to let our pets cross over and to be able to deny all that suffering. And yes. We carry the brunt of the heartache from it...
    Thinking of you today.
    xo, misha

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  14. Our pets bring us so much joy, but at times there are heart-breaking moments to endure. When you said that you bear the pain so they don't have to, it just shows what a good person you are. I am so sorry for your loss.

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  15. Oh Connie, I am so, so sorry.
    But you are right -- it is the final kindness.
    All my sympathies . . . Cass

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  16. As I type big tears are falling down my cheeks. She did greet us I remember it clearly! How difficult that must have been for you, I send you a big hug and wishing you peace that comes with knowing she isn't hurting because of your huge heart!

    Cyd

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  17. Connie, I'm so sorry! I hope it gives you a little peace to know that she knew you loved her. She had a long life, I'm sure thanks to your care.

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  18. I am so sorry about your Kimba, especially at this time of year. But it sounds like she had a great life and I know you will remember all of her years and not just the final days.

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  19. It's never easy is it? But you are right that it is the final kindness. I'm so sorry that you've lost a beloved member of the family. But glad you were blessed with her love and companionship for so many happy years.

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  20. My heart go's out to you and your sweet Kimba.... I've been watching my girl Rikki get slower over this past few months, she is 16 now and your post made my heart stop for a moment... life go's full circle I know, but it's not easy loosing a family member...
    Best wishes
    Sandy

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  21. Oh, Connie....I am so very very sorry, sweetie. My heart just breaks for you. My 15 y/o Hannah had the same problem two yrs ago when I had to send her off to the Rainbow Bridge. It was horrible watching her try to walk. I couldn't let her suffer.

    When I picture you driving the car with Kimba in your lap, I get all choked up because I can empathize with your feelings. I'm watching my 16 y/o Sophie get skinnier and slower and eating less and drinking more...and I know that her days are numbered.

    But we both hold in our hearts the knowledge that we WILL see our furbabies again someday. We just have a few more sweet angels watching over us for the time being. ♥

    Sending you a BIG hug, Connie. I'm here if you need to talk, sweetie.

    xoxoxo laurie

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  22. Oh- I know how hard it is. We have done this three times in the last 5 years and it is heart breaking each and every time. I am shedding a tear for the loss of your baby..cuz I can feel the pain of your loss. God bless..and I am so glad you didn't let her suffer. xo Diana

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  23. I'm so sorry Connie--you've had a hard year. Eighteen is an amazing age for an outdoor cat, and a testament to your love and good care.

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  24. I'm sorry Kimba won't be with you anymore, Connie. What a beautiful cat she was. I miss her, too, and I didn't even know her.

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  25. Connie, I'm so sorry you are having to endure another loss. I have no words, just tears and sympathy. Hugs.

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  26. I'm so sorry. We lost our beloved cat, Buster, who was also 18 years old, last summer. We took him to the vet as a family and all cried our eyes out. He is buried in our yard, where he loved to play and hunt in his younger days. My heart goes out to you.

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  27. Dear Connie,

    My heart aches for you this morning....I too once took that same ride to our vet with a 21 year old cat wrapped in a blanket. I am so happy that I got to meet beautiful Kimba before she left you.

    She was the Queen of Hartwood, wasn't she...I could see that by the way she proudly sat at the top of the front steps the day I was there.

    Kimba is so very lucky that it was you that bought that house and not someone with no compassion and love for animals.

    One more reason that this house was meant for you...to help Kimba make the transition to her final resting place.

    You are a good woman Miss Connie ;->

    I am proud to call you 'friend'

    RIP beautiful Kimba...

    Janet xox

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  28. She live a long and happy life. You did a fine thing by her and I am sure she understood your kindness.

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  29. Oh Connie, I just saw this, I'm SO sorry! I know how much you loved Kimba and how very much she will be missed! Thinking of you!

    Kat

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  30. Oh Connie, I am so sorry for your loss. You did the kindest thing by not letting Kimba suffer.
    RIP Kimba.

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  31. Connie, my eyes filled with tears as I read your post. I have been there myself in 2009 when I said goodbye to my baby Scooter (a poodle) after 15 treasured years together. He, too is resting in my garden where he loved to be by my side. Prayers go out to you. I am so sorry.

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  32. I'm sorry to hear of your loss. You took very good care of Kimba. I smiled when you mentioned her "heated" spot outside.

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  33. Kimba was sure lucky that your wonderful family moved into the house and cherished her as you did.

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  34. I'm so sorry Connie. This has been a tough year for our pets. I love where you said that you bear the pain so they don't have to. It's so true.

    I hope you had a good Christmas despite losing Kimba. It just makes us love the ones that are here now more.

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  35. I'm very sorry to hear about your loss. I can't imagine how you feel. Our pets become such a part of our lives and our families.

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  36. I have just been catching up with your posts and had to leave a comment here. I know how difficult it is to see them getting old and not knowing when the right time is to say goodbye. You are so brave and I know that Kimba loves her finally resting place. You honor her by placing her there.

    Big hugs,
    Carole

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  37. Oh Connie, I'm so sorry. Having a pet in pain is hard to bear. I'm glad that she wasn't alone. I'm sure she was happy to have you cradle her the best you could. Having her put to rest was the best gift you could have given her.

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  38. Connie, I'm so very sorry to hear of your loss. Please know thoughts and prayers are with you.

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