It started just under a week ago. Felicity, our almost 9 year old Exotic cat, was panting and seemed disoriented. We took her to the critical care center for animals where they tested her and keep her on oxygen overnight. She improved in under 24 hours - she could walk on her own again.
This past week, she's been extra loving...my husband says that every time she comes up on the bed when we're rising for the day, she's bringing a message. She delivered many messages this week and we happily gave her lots of cuddles and scratches.
Yesterday, Felicity was found by my husband downstairs, staring at a door. She didn't move normally - it was like her balance was off - way off. We took her again to the critical care center...all of the test results found nothing abnormal which left a neurological problem. We tried one more blood test and antibiotics and brought her home.
Felicity spent the rest of her time with myself or my husband being cuddled...she couldn't move on her own so we carried her everywhere. She was struggling to breathe and barely swallowing. If she didn't improve overnight, my husband and I, through neverending tears, talked about letting her go.
We carried her up to bed last night and we laid her between my husband and I so we could keep an eye on her. We tried to sleep. At about 12:30am, her breathing changed...she was taking one breath, then pausing, then another breath. We knew.
I picked her up and held her in my arms with my husband right across from her and I told her it was okay, she could let go and we loved her - I told her this over and over and over again. I held her as she spasmed, fighting for air. My husband and I kept telling her that we loved her, that we are so thankful for her...and we urged her to let go. And she did...12:59am January 3, 2010.
I remember her today and forever as the kitty that stole into my heart and taught me about unconditional love - limitless love. In her passing, I am reminded of the sweetness of life, of how precious every moment is.
That is Felicity's gift to me - forever love wrapped in sweetness.
