Boots, aka Bootsie (May 30, 2009 – June 21, 2013)
Today I had to say farewell to my precious companion, Bootsie. She was missing for 14 hrs a couple of days ago and when she returned home she was very loving. Normally she would go right to her food bowl completely starved and scoff up a whole can of cat food. This night was different.
I heard her little bell attached to her collar and looked up happily to see her after being gone so long. She walked straight toward me and hopped onto the recliner where I was sitting and gingerly put her head in my lap. That is where she stayed for a couple of hours. When I got up to get ready for bed, she got down and meandered toward the bedroom. I heard her throwing up during the night and thought it was the usual hairball. The morning disclosed her on the bathroom rug where she sometimes loved to nap and I could tell she was really sick.
I immediately dressed and took her to the vet on my way to the hospital to visit my husband. Upon returning home later that afternoon, I stopped by to see how she was doing. She was dehydrated and still had not eaten any food. She was being given fluids to rehydrate her. I petted her and told her how much I missed and loved her but she was not very responsive. Not like her usual self anyway. She meowed but did not purr.
Upon my return home from the hospital today I stopped in for another visit. This was around noon for I had come home early. Never did I envision this would be the last time I would see her. She had to undergo surgery because of the appearance of a mass in her internal organs. There is a lot of complex long medical jargoneze that I cannot repeat, let alone spell. I did decipher that part of her intestines had literally died. It was a very unusual case according to the vet. At least she died peacefully and did not have to endure long time suffering.
Bootsie came to live with us four years ago after being abused and abandoned. She literally decided to live with us.
Hey, did you know
Cats actually choose you?
You don’t choose them
They stay because they want to
You may give one a loving home
No matter the time or season
He may just choose to go away
Without any rhyme or reason
It’s like virtual catnip—
Feline friends may elect to remain
If the home is inviting
Strongly attractive, not too mundane
Here today, gone tomorrow
A sad refrain so often misunderstood
Why did he choose to leave, not stay?
You did everything to make him feel good
It’s not what you did or didn’t do
Cats are finicky needless to say
With a mind and will of their own
The choice is theirs to leave or to stay
Thank you, precious Bootsie, for choosing to stay and bringing such joy into our lives! You will be deeply missed!
“With the qualities of cleanliness, affection, patience, dignity and courage that cats have, how many of us, I ask you, would be capable of becoming cats?” —Fernand Mery (Veterinarian and wildlife writer, 1897–1984)
catnipoflife 
I’m so sorry. I hope she find many of my old furry friends at the Bridge. She will be welcomed.
You have wonderful memories and you gave her a good home.
I’m so sorry to hear this. My condolences. Sincerely_Resa
So very sorry to hear of Bootsie’s passing. She’s now at Rainbow Bridge where you will meet her again. My prayers and thoughts go out to you. xx
Sharla, after over 40 nightmarish days going back and forth to the hospital, this is truly more than you deserve.I am so very sorry your feline companion needed to go to a higher realm. My tomcat Toby will be joining him soon, since he is about 15 years old and not feeling well.At his age I won’t put him through any frightening medical procedures but will let him die peacefully when he senses it’s time to go home.
Micki
Ah Sharla, my heart weeps for this awful loss. These sweet lives from our animals love us unconditionally and their love never needs to apologize. Please take whatever time you need for yourself and stay well. Your incredible strength seems never-ending and your faith strong without question. Much love my friend.
Mamie
Thank you for this post. I am a new-comer to understanding cats. I have one that was given to me as a gift, and two that were brought into my art studio to live from abandonment issues. As a dog lover, was thrilled to see the different personalities in each kitten/cat. I am so thrilled to learn how SMART cat’s are. I have grown to love these animals.
I am sorry for your loss. Love that you took great care of your pet.
Maurita
Damned animals! They make you fall in love with them; then they go off and die. You may have had her for only 3 years, but to her, that was almost a lifetime. At least she didn’t die alone and abandoned, but rather, loved and cherished. Still, you have my condolences, Sharla. I also hope your husband recovers soon, too.
Aw, so very sorry for your loss. Dear, dear Bootsie.
Sorry to hear that. It’s sad to lose a furry family member.
{Hugs}
So sorry to hear about Bootsie. It is hard to lose a member of the family. At least she didn’t suffer.
Sunni
I’m really sorry for your loss…
Hi,
It hurts to lose your cat. I know because in 2008 I lost Clay. He had been with me 22 years. It took months to get over him. He was a darling. So, you’re in my prayers. You have a lot going on and it is sometimes unbearable, I know, but I will be praying for strength to take you through your storms.
God bless you, Sharla and take care.
Shalom,
Patricia
I am so sorry to hear it. They are family and you will miss her . Hugs Ute
I’m so sorry Bootsie had to go to Furryland. I wish you much strenghts with this heartbreaking lost. Take care!
I am so sorry, Sharla, that you have this loss right now in such a difficult time. Bootsie was truly a beautiful kitty. What a sweet face. I know how hard this is for you and feels like a great loss. Am sending Bootsie a prayer of peace and a love to you, dear sister.
I am so very very sorry! Your post brought tears to my eyes.
I’ve often said I love animals more than people. I’ve had to put down a couple of favorite pets that were suffering and it tore my heart out. My heart goes out to you today.
I am so sorry honr. We had to put our Cercie to sleep at age 19 and we were lost for a long time without her. My heart goes out to you hugs Chris
This is always sad to lose a favorite. I am sorry for you Sharla
She had a happy and loving last few years of her life and that’s more than a lot of animals have.
[…] Today I had to say farewell to my precious companion, Bootsie. She was missing for 14 hrs a couple of days ago and when she returned home she was very loving. Normally she would go right to her foo… […]
I am so sorry to hear that Sharla 😦
What you can know is that you gave her the best three years of her life. She was with the best person who could have cared for her which showed when you took her straight to the vets.
She went a very happy cat.
RIP Bootsie.
Oh, Sharla, the tears are flowing as I read this. I am so sorry. I know how important and precious they can be. You’ll have some wonderful memories to hold on to. Thank goodness, she didn’t have to suffer long. Bless you.
I have tears in my eyes. Rest in peace, Bootsie. My Lacey died of the same thing–a mass in the intestines. The doctor said it was a result of FIV, which is feline AIDS. My cats used to go outside in Erie, but when I moved here I kept them in. But I guess that was a decision made too late. My Angel is now 15 going on 16, and I watch her for signs. So far there have been none, thank goodness. FIV is contracted by a bite from another infected cat. We had many feral cats running around the neighborhood, so I guess that’s where Lacey got it. So Sorry, Sharla!
I am so deeply sorry to hear of your loss. These are such incredibly difficult times for us animal lovers. My thoughts are with you.
She’s lovely Sharla. How sad to lose a wonderful, uncomplicated companion. Hugs
Sharla, I feel the same way I did when I lost Mimi after 18 years of mutual love. I’m so sorry you had to go through this, but they live with and in us as we recall what we shared with them.
Hugs,
Marta
Love and hugs! I’m so sorry to hear this news. May she always, rest in your heart, which is always full of love.
sorry for your loss but I can relate as we almost lost Skeeter in a similar way. Fortunately we got to him in time when he was still a young kitten. He either was electrocuted or drank something caustic. That is why he is not allowed outside anymore. He is a very picky eater and I have to watch his food and meal times. Sometimes animals wander off when they are sick and don’t come back. You were lucky your angel returned to say goodbye and share a few last moments of love. I have come to believe that cats are angels and they come into our life when we need them and they leave when they have done their job. Thank you Bootsie for sharing love and good memories.
Janice, the vet told me Bootsie probably left knowing she was dying. She came back home instead of dying alone. I am so glad I had that last evening with her. I miss her immensely!
Sharla, Such a sweet post. Sorry for your loss.
I know how you feel 😦 Bootsie chose you for a reason and obviously loved you just as much as you loved her.
Dear Sharla. I’ve only just caught up on my pile of e-mails, and when i saw your name I came straight here.
I’m so sorry, what an awful blow on top of all you’re going through with JIm.
Our companion animals are our family, and it hurts to let them go as much as other family members. I know how awful it feels, and it is real deep grief. What a darling she looked… and what character… what a comfort to know that she had had those happy years with you…
I think you have another cat, haven’t you… her/she will also be feeling bereft….I hope you can comfort each other…
Thinking of you dear Sharla
Dear Sharla,
I’m so sorry to learn your beloved cat had to go. I know how it is – and I’m convinced precious Bootsie hat the most enjoyable and wonderful life during the past three years, after she found you!!
I’m so convinced that you’re the BEST cat Mommy ever. And for her being with you must have been cat heaven!
She’ll wait for you on the other side of the rainbow bridge!
I hug you in thoughts, dear friend!!!
love
Raani
So sad. I am very sorry for your loss.
I can truly say I know how you feel 😦 as you know I lost my precious Cassie in April. They do chose us, I agree. Bootsie had a good life with you, and those memories live on. love, Autumn
Sharla,
I am so sorry to hear about Bootsie. It is so awful to lose one of our precious felines. I’ve lost a few over the years and I still miss them. Cats are so wonderful and loving. At least you know you gave her a good life in the time she was with you. I know she appreciated that if she was abused before. And she didn’t suffer, so that is a blessing.
Sunni
http://sunni-survivinglife.blogspot.com/
http://sunni-faeriebookloft.blogspot.com/
the story of the last days of your cat touched my heart…
you’ve written a great tribute for her!
thank you for the quote:
“With the qualities of cleanliness, affection, patience,
dignity and courage that cats have,
how many of us, I ask you,
would be capable of becoming cats?”
So sorry about your loss 😦 She was a beautiful cat!
[…] post was actually written BEFORE hubby’s critical care hospital confinement and BEFORE the Farewell to Bootsie. [Be sure to revisit, or first time visit, the post to Bootsie, I added some new photos I found […]
The photos are gorgeous, Sharla, and the story is so touching. It’s such a sad story and it does remind me of my first cat. She ran away and was poisoned by eating a baked sponge. After one week she found her way home and got very sick. Just like your dear Bootsie. After almost 40 years, it still hurts 😦