Not the Post I Thought I Would Write

We returned from a triumphant and wonderful trip to Italy this week.  And I thought for the next two weeks I would be reliving the sights and tastes and experiences of that trip for several days.  I expected to love writing the posts and have those who read them get totally Italy'd out...but still be green with envy.

But when we arrived at home we found one of our cats was off her game.  In fact, she seemed quite ill.  We hoped it was something minor - something brought on by the stress of being without us for nearly two weeks.  Something she could make us feel guilty about and that we could overcome with lots of love and extra treats, but unfortunately that was not the case.

We took her to the vet early Friday and he ran some tests.  He was hopeful, like we were, that it was a bronchial infection that could be treated with antibiotics...but he warned of more serious possibilities.  With the blood test back today we had the results.  But he didn't even have to tell me because I sensed it already. I saw in her a systemic shut-down that his science confirmed.

There are no easy answers in a time like this.  But we knew that putting her to sleep was the best answer. The vet agreed that even with aggressive treatment there was no hope, and at most we could hope to keep her alive only a few months and with very little quality of life.

We only had Yazzie for about 20 months.  We adopted her from a shelter group and from day one she was the most loving cat I had ever had.  She insisted on laying against one of us at all times, would butt her head against us to encourage petting, and cracked us up with her penchant for sleeping on her back letting it all hang out.

I wish with all my heart we could have had another 12 years of her as we expected.  But I also am glad that our last gift to her was an end to suffering and a peaceful departure with us stroking her fur just as she always insisted we did.

Farewell little Yasmine.  You were a fine kitty, a dearly beloved member of our family, and the best cuddler ever.