Rest in Peace, Sweet Shaely

I'm writing this through tears, as I know there's nothing that will console me at the moment. I lost my kitty of almost 10 years today. She'd been unusually quiet and down all week, and last night she was ill enough that I thought that needed she go to the vet. They kept her in overnight, and did everything they could, but about 1 pm today the vet phoned me with the news that her little body was slowly shutting down. I went to the vet's office, and there was nothing more that they could do for her. I held her as she was put to sleep, and although it was one of the hardest things that I ever had to do, I know it was the right thing for her. There was nothing that was going to bring back the kitty that I loved.

She really was the sweetest kitty. She loved to be beside or even near people, especially if they would scratch between her ears. She had the kindest and mellowest personality of any cat I've ever met - just the perfect kitty - quiet, careful, observant and loving. She loved to sit and watch the world go by, and spent many hours just contemplating life. She was adored by her sister, Sabine, and myself as well as the rest of my family.

I adopted her and her sister from a no-kill shelter almost 10 years ago - her and the other kitty (Sabine) were cuddled together on the floor of a stack of cages at a display at the pet store. From the moment I walked in, I knew those were "my" kitties - the little grey puddle of fur made up of two kitties on the floor had me, and they came to live with me soon after. They were two kittens that shouldn't have made it - they were hand raised after their mother died when they were several days old. The person who first looked after them knew that they needed to go to a home together because they were so bonded together. She was named because "Shaely" or "Shay-ley" aways reminded me of something Celtic, and because it meant "Beautiful" in Swahili, and "Peaceful" in Gaelic. She reminded me of both.

As I was going through photos of Shaely trying to select something for the blog, I realized how few of just her I have - I always have photos of her and Sabine together.

I will miss Shaely terribly, as will Sabine. We will both meet her on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge. I know she will be there, sitting with her paws tucked in, just waiting for both of us.

If your reading this, and you have a pet at home, please give them a hug for me. I know Shaely would want them to have all of the hugs that I can't give her anymore.