Monday, August 13, 2018

Goodbye ...


My time came up sooner than I expected. The bone cancer in my jaw was progressing very quickly and I was getting very uncomfortable and uneasy. I was also starting to have some blood in my drool (and I was drooling a lot because of the tumor). So Mom and Dad made the difficult decision to help me across the Bridge a day sooner than expected. At least I get to be with Jasper and meet Fluffy (Mom's first cat) and Mom's Mom, who will give me so much love. 

I made it one month short of 14 years, which is more than most get. 

I was lucky because I was able to spend a bonus week with Mom and Dad. That's something Jasper didn't get to do. I got to say bye to Huggy Bear and Maggie. Yesterday I napped on Dad's chest on the couch (one of my favorite things) and slept at Mom's feet all night. The closure was nice.

I even spent some time patrolling the back yard (no squirrels today). Even to the end I stayed vigilant. I guess Huggy Bear will have to take over this job. He does like to sit on the back of the couch. 

I'm not sure who will be assisting Dad in putting his shoes on in the morning either. That was kind of our thing. He'd put his shoes on and I'd rest my head on his shoe so he couldn't leave for work. Or I'd get his shoe strings. This never kept him from going to work but it did get me some extra love. 

Mom and Dad said I was the best little tuxie girl they could have ever asked for. I never caused any trouble, didn't ever try to eat their food, and was always so social when we had company (especially to the men). 

Huggy Bear will also be taking over blogging duties after a brief break.

Thanks for all the purrs and prayers and well wishes. You guys have been the best friends for the past 14 years! 

(Also cancer sucks. And I'll be perfectly fine being the last one to cross the Bridge in 2018 -- it's been a tough year with way too much loss. Purrs to you all, and give your people some extra love tonight.)


34 comments:

The Island Cats said...

We’re so sorry you had to leave sooner, but now you are pain free and playing with Jasper again. We send comforting purrs to your mom and dad. We know they will miss you very much.

Mrs Beans said...

Oh Josie, bless your heart. You will be sorely missed by all. You were such a sweetheart and a slightly intimidating bossy pants when little Sally came to visit you. Good for you in keeping the little upstart puppy in her place. <3

Eastside Cats said...

Rest in peace, Angel Josie. Sending you & your family hugs & purrs.

Forty Paws said...

Now are you cancer free. Have fun with Jasper and those who have gone before. Hugs to you and your family.

Random Felines said...

We are so very sorry and sending gentle purrs

Jans Funny Farm said...

We are sad for your family. We know they love and miss you already. It was nice you all had the last week together so they could spoil and cuddle you a lot. We know you are okay, Josie, so we'll just send hugs to your family.

Ivan from WMD said...

Adios, dear friend. We know you will have lots of friends to visit with now, but here on this side we will miss you. Purrs to HB and Maggie and your mom and dad. We'll all meet up again some day.

Shaggy and Scout said...

You've had a mighty fine life on this side Pretty Josie, full of love and good things. You will be missed so much. After you find Jasper at the Bridge and catch up with him, find Scooby and Shaggy and all the others who have gone on. Enjoy the long grass and warmth of the sun, pain free, had happy once again. Love, Lynne and Scout

pilch92 said...

Rest in Peace sweet Josie. XO

Mark's Mews (Marley, Lori, Loki, and Binq) said...

Our Best Purrs Of Comfort to all of you...

Just Ducky said...

Farewell Josie, have fun at The Bridge. Comforting purrs to your humans.

John Bellen said...

I am sorry you had to go, Josie. I have a Josie, too, and she has been with me longer than any of my other feline family. From what you write, your people will miss you greatly, and will never forget you. Is there anything like the personality and love of a cat? Godspeed, Josie; you will be free of pain, and forever young.

Sweet Purrfections said...

We're so sorry it was your time to go! We're sure Sweet Praline was there to welcome you to the Bridge. We agree - cancer sucks!

Please know our thoughts and purrs are with your parents.

Summer at sparklecat.com said...

Purrs to your family, Josie... we will miss you too.

Andrea and the Celestial Kitties said...

We are so very sorry. Sending purrs and hugs

Memories of Eric and Flynn said...

I am so sorry you had to leave a day earlier but it was the right and only choice. Yes cancer does suck, but now you are pain free and whole once again. You will be missed by everyone, but most of all by your family.
You will be happy at the Bridge now with so many old friends to catch up with including my boys. You will make many new friends too.
My condolences to your family and my love to all of you.

Lola The Rescued Cat said...

Godspeed, Josie. We're sure you'll use your angel wings to visit your mom and dad to bring them comfort.

Connie - Tails from the Foster Kittens said...

Sending deep rumbly purrs of healing and comfort for all who are feeling the pain of your loss.

ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

Josie we are all so sad that you had to go to the Rainbow Bridge, but we are glad you enjoyed all the things before you left. It's hard for the humans to let go because they love us so and miss us deeply. So our deepest condolences to your Mom and Dad. We know that their hearts are empty and sad right now. Sending many purrs and prayers.

Gemini and Ichiro said...

We are so sorry you had to leave so quickly but we know you had a full life with your family who loved you so much. Purrs to all of them.

Frodo said...

Godspeed sweet Josie! My condolences to your family! We are so sorry!

ZOOLATRY said...

Farewell, beautiful lady.

My Mind's Eye said...

Sending many hugs to your family Josie...we are so sorry for their loss.
No more pain my little tuxie
Hugs madi and mom

da tabbies o trout towne said...

Josie; May St Francis stay by your side every step of the way until you have met up with your family; Godspeed your journey to heaven ~~~~~~~~~~ ♥♥♥♥♥ hugs and love to you and the family you leave behind ~~~~~~~~♥♥♥♥♥♥

The Whiskeratti said...

We're so sorry to hear you had to go. Pawhugs to your family.

Angels Amber and Max DaWeenie and Mom said...

I'm so sorry. No matter how hard you try to prepare yourself to say goodbye, it's just never easy.

Sending lots of hugs...

♥♥♥

Kitties Blue said...

How is it we have never met, and now you have received your wings and flown to the Bridge? Josie, we have many sisfurs and brofurs at the Rainbow Bridge, and we know you will no longer have any pain now that you are there. We and our mom are sending our condolences and lots and purrs and prayers to your parents as they grieve your loss. It is obvious you were well loved. Rest in peace, Josie. XOCK, angel Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, angel Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth, Calista Jo, Cooper Murphy and Sawyer

M Dawson said...

We never met you?! What the heck is going on here? Now you have headed off and it's goodbye. (Mom is crying right now, we lost way too many including rescue kitty in NYC Bernard who was found in the rain, they tried but he is probably in the welcoming throng that waited for you).

For your Mum and Dad. I am so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful girl and what a time you had together. How lucky and how fun for you all. When they find out a cure for cancer, the person will become an instant heroine or hero to the whole world.

You will be missed and we will try to come back to visit more often.

Marjorie and the Dash Kitten cats.

catladymac said...

Oh Josie - no more pain and you are with your friends again - and your Mom's Mom. You will be missed, but everyone here knows you are well and strong aain, and you will continue to be loved just as you were here on earth !

Katie Isabella said...

Darling girl, I am so so sorry you had to leave, but I know you are in no pain at all and that you had the deep love of your parents. There will be many of our kitties and woofies who met you and showed you around, darling. Love to your parents and I wish I had known you. XXXXX

Louche Tabby said...

This is terrible. I wish you peace at this difficult time.

Peachy, Stippie, Angel Binky and Granny said...

So deeply sorry, sweet Josie. Fly free beautiful Soul💗💗💗
Soft Pawkisses to your family 🐾😽💞

cwcwccw said...

purrs & prays for your family

Charlemagne and Tamar said...

Sending purrs and gentle headbutts to your family. We are so sorry that Josie had to go to the bridge.

Charlemagne and Tamar