I’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
Ryan Biddulph
June 22, 2014 at 9:40pmThoughts 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….
Marian Allen
June 22, 2014 at 9:52pmThanks, 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. 🙂
Terry Cramer
June 21, 2014 at 1:23pmWe 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
Marian Allen
June 21, 2014 at 2:14pmThank 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. 🙂
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.
Marian Allen
June 18, 2014 at 9:44pmI 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!
Jen Christopherson
June 18, 2014 at 3:57pmWith 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.
Marian Allen
June 18, 2014 at 4:09pmOh, 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.
Chris Graham
June 18, 2014 at 3:21amSo sorry for the loss of the beautiful Katya Marian – she will be missed by everyone.
Marian Allen
June 18, 2014 at 7:18amThank you, Chris. I’m stunned at how many people enjoyed her posts.
Jo
June 18, 2014 at 12:32amSo, 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
Marian Allen
June 18, 2014 at 7:17amJo, 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
john
June 17, 2014 at 4:28pmWhat 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.
Marian Allen
June 17, 2014 at 6:26pmThank 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.
Mary Montague Sikes
June 17, 2014 at 3:36pmI have loved following Katya’s blog. Thank you for sharing her with us. We will all miss her. Hugs to you, dear Marian.
Mary Montague Sikes
Marian Allen
June 17, 2014 at 4:20pmEven 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.
Jo Ann Wentzel
June 17, 2014 at 3:28pmSo 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.
Marian Allen
June 17, 2014 at 4:15pmI 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. 🙁
Cairn Rodrigues
June 17, 2014 at 2:49pmMarian, 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
Marian Allen
June 17, 2014 at 4:13pmOh, 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
Jane
June 17, 2014 at 10:58amI shall miss your precious Katya. Thanks for sharing her with us.
Love
Jane
Marian Allen
June 17, 2014 at 12:44pmI’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.
jean baldridge yates
June 17, 2014 at 8:01amMarian, 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
jean baldridge yates
June 17, 2014 at 7:13amDear 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
Marian Allen
June 17, 2014 at 7:27amThank 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)))))