Sad Cat News

KatyaI’m sorry to report that my beautiful Russian Blue and blogging partner, Katya Graymalkin, crossed The Rainbow Bridge today. Apparently, she suffered a stroke. She was a hearty 14 up until Friday, when she suddenly BOOM went down.

Pet owners all know this day is going to come, and we know it’s going to come sooner than later, unless we have, like, a parrot or a Galapagos Tortoise. But we always manage to fool ourselves that it isn’t time yet, it isn’t time yet, it isn’t time yet. And then it’s time.

Love your critters, including the human ones, yes? As two wise men have said, “Be excellent to each other.”

MA

About

I was born in Louisville, Kentucky, but now live in the woods in southern Indiana. Though I only write fiction, I love to read non-fiction. The more I learn about this world, the more fantastic I see it is.

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One thought on “Sad Cat News

  1. jean baldridge yates

    June 17, 2014 at 7:13am

    Dear Marian,
    All my love to you and dear Katya. She is the most beautiful cat!!!
    You must be so sad, but how wonderful of you to share her lovely photo and to write about her. How brave to let us know this news even in your grief. Sending you love and strength.
    (((((Hugs)))))!!! jean

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    • Author

      Marian Allen

      June 17, 2014 at 7:27am

      Thank you, dear Jean. It’s very strange, not to have her sitting next to me, poking me with the tips of her claws so I’ll pet her instead of working. I’m so glad I took a couple of videos of her purring so I can hear that wonderful sound any time. (((((hugs back)))))

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  2. jean baldridge yates

    June 17, 2014 at 8:01am

    Marian, you sound so strong.
    I understand a little. I love and continue to love all of my dear dog and cat children(yes, I was their mom!).
    I think it is great you have the videos!
    I have photos! 🙂
    lots and lots of love! (((((more hugs!))))) xox jean

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  3. Jane

    June 17, 2014 at 10:58am

    I shall miss your precious Katya. Thanks for sharing her with us.
    Love
    Jane

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    • Author

      Marian Allen

      June 17, 2014 at 12:44pm

      I’m just thankful to have that video of her purring and playing “pet me — don’t touch me — pet me — don’t touch me.” That was So Katya.

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  4. Cairn Rodrigues

    June 17, 2014 at 2:49pm

    Marian, my heart and soul are with you right now. Katya was a gifted blogger and a beautiful soul, thanks for sharing her with us. All the love <3

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    • Author

      Marian Allen

      June 17, 2014 at 4:13pm

      Oh, honey, it’s so very kind of you to take time to comfort me when you’re hurting so. My bestie, Jane, is the same way. The emotional generosity is just overwhelming. <3

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  5. Jo Ann Wentzel

    June 17, 2014 at 3:28pm

    So sorry for your loss, who ever said what they’re just a pet, never had one or loved it like most of us do-they are family.

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    • Author

      Marian Allen

      June 17, 2014 at 4:15pm

      I was going to get myself a stuffed cat today, thinking it would at least give me something to pet, but it was too soon even for that. 🙁

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    • Author

      Marian Allen

      June 17, 2014 at 4:20pm

      Even Charlie says the house is missing something without her, and he suffered most from her shenanigans. It was HIS shoes she sharpened her claws on, and HIS clothes-on-the-floor she used for a litterbox and HIS edict of no cats on the bed that she utterly ignored. But, when I had to leave her to go take care of Mom or business, he didn’t leave her side. I’m a very lucky person all around, having Charlie and having had Katya for 14 years.

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  6. john

    June 17, 2014 at 4:28pm

    What a lovely girl she was. I’m sorry for your loss. It’s a pity I didn’t discover your cat and your blog until just recently.
    I know you’ll miss your Katya.

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    • Author

      Marian Allen

      June 17, 2014 at 6:26pm

      Thank you, John. My mother’s cat, Sweetie Pie, has agreed to help me out on Caturdays for a while. I do miss my girl. She should be on the back of the couch, by my shoulder, purring like a buzz saw.

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  7. Jo

    June 18, 2014 at 12:32am

    So, so sorry Marian. Love to you now when you must be feeling so sore. We think they’ll be with us forever, and then suddenly they’re not, and they leave a hole in your heart. So much love to your lovely Katya where she’s looking down on her Mom. XXXXXXXXXX

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    • Author

      Marian Allen

      June 18, 2014 at 7:17am

      Jo, YES! You found exactly the right word. I feel sore. It’s like a deep bruise that doesn’t show on the surface, and other people have such serious, grievous wounds from such devastating losses that one feels ashamed for one’s own relatively minor ache, but that doesn’t make it go away.

      And THANK YOU for the Morecombe & Wise link. I had forgotten about them, but we got some of their stuff over here during “the British Invasion” following the Beatles’ appearance, and they always made me laugh. HUGS

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  8. Chris Graham

    June 18, 2014 at 3:21am

    So sorry for the loss of the beautiful Katya Marian – she will be missed by everyone.

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    • Author

      Marian Allen

      June 18, 2014 at 7:18am

      Thank you, Chris. I’m stunned at how many people enjoyed her posts.

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  9. Jen Christopherson

    June 18, 2014 at 3:57pm

    With all the love and support you’ve already gotten, it’s hard to imagine mine to be any different. Katya will be missed by many, but most of all by you. There is no telling how long it will take to ease the pain of her loss, but know that your friends here are willing to give you a (cyber) shoulder to cry on.

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    • Author

      Marian Allen

      June 18, 2014 at 4:09pm

      Oh, honey, there’s never too much love and support! Thank you so much for your kind words. I knew my little silver sugar was nearing the end, but I thought she’d slow down before she stopped. Nope — not Katya.

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  10. A.C.Flory

    June 18, 2014 at 7:36pm

    -hugs- My mind seems to get a kind of localised amnesia which allows me to forget how old my little friends actually are. Goodbye Katya.

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    • Author

      Marian Allen

      June 18, 2014 at 9:44pm

      I suppose that’s what I do, too. I brag about how old they are, but I don’t let that connect to expected life span. Thank you so much for visiting. Hugs!

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  11. Terry Cramer

    June 21, 2014 at 1:23pm

    We are so sorry to hear about Katya. Mom began to shed a tear or two. We will really miss Katya’s sensibilities, and our speculations about whether we terriers would be scary for her if we met. Marian, we really wish we could be there and cuddle you and, as the terriers we are, lick your face.

    -Livvie and Kessie, Rat Terriers
    From MatildasJourney.com

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    • Author

      Marian Allen

      June 21, 2014 at 2:14pm

      Thank you, dear Livvie and Kessie. I would love to have some rat terrier cuddles and licks. I still can’t believe that a week ago yesterday, Katya was fine, and a week ago today, she wasn’t. I know the two of you and your mom still miss Matilda, but she’ll always be part of who you are. It’s the same for me with my Katya and Miss Tiffany, the cat before her. Thank you for visiting me. I always enjoy it when you slide through the interwebs for a snuffle and a bark. 🙂

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  12. Ryan Biddulph

    June 22, 2014 at 9:40pm

    Thoughts and prayers Marian. Always a tough thing, when a family member/best friend(known to some as a “pet”) dies….light and love my friend 🙂 Katya is waiting….

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    • Author

      Marian Allen

      June 22, 2014 at 9:52pm

      Thanks, Ryan. The hard part is: the more friends/family who are waiting, the stronger the pull is to be where they are. I’m given to understand that this isn’t a healthy attitude to have, so I resist it. Kind visits from folks like you help. 🙂

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