One of my cats died today
In a sense, she was a rescued cat. We got her in the summer of 1994. My then girlfriend, now wife, and I were visiting her sister in PA. Momma cat was killed by a fox and left 3 young kittens behind. Kittens were probably born sometime around June 1994. Sister in law kept one kitten, but the fox got it a week or so later.
Another relative took a second kitten. We thought he was a goner because he was stumbling around very much out of it. We cleaned his ears, and he seemed a little better. They took him home, he responded well, put on weight, and did fine.
I wanted the third one, but with two cats already my girlfriend was against it. So, I lied and said, "Well, we'll take her home and just foster her until we find a home." She bought it. On the ride home to Maryland I started talking about keeping the kitten. She objected. Kitten crawled up in my girlfriend's lap, put one paw on either shoulder, and rubbed her face against my girlfriend's face. I told her how much the kitten liked her and wanted to stay with us. She said, "Cat, you are not making this easy." She folded by the time we got home.
When the other two cats saw her, they lodged very vocal objections to this newcomer. She never wanted a fight, just wanted to fit in and mostly be left alone. They all worked it out. It was almost like 3 sisters, each with a very different personality.
She was always a very laid back easy going cat. Never bit or scratched anyone, even after we had kids. Oh, she would growl and hiss to keep kids away, but they figured out she would not hurt them. Then she learned how to hide, sometimes in almost plain view.
Her two sisters are gone. The oldest, Sweat Socks, passed in 2005. The second one, Tigger, wondered off and never returned in 2009. I figured she found someplace nice outside, where she loved to be, and just laid down to die.
Got another kitten, Sassy, shortly after Tigger left. Sassy in many ways has the same personality as Tigger. Even has that hunter-killer instinct to the point it seems she grabs birds in flight from the air.
Shadow never killed. Didn't have the motivation to move that fast, but she would help eat the kill.
Sassy seemed to know it was Shadow's time to go. She stayed with her last night, and she was there with her today when I got home to find she had passed.
When Sweat Socks died, I was devastated. Seemed like she had not enough time. It was hard with Tigger as well, because I did not know for sure, even though I knew. She always came back in at night.
With Shadow, I thought it might be a little easier because she made it to 18. She'd lived her life in five different states, saw snow in PA, and subtropics of Miami. I knew she was going, so I got to say good-bye to her.
Rest in peace, little friend. You were loved, and you will be missed.
Shadow
1994-2012
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She had a very good life with all of you, and she knew it...
I hope that your good memories of her and the others will help you get through this time of grief.
The fact that she made it to 18 is a testament to the great care she was given. You and your wife should be proud of that. She was a gorgeous kitty!
precious kitty baby.
Shadow definitely knew what she was doing, was so very fortunate to have found you. You gave her a wonderful life. 
She had a long and happy life with you.
I just lost my cat Cali yesterday. I understand your heartache.
I knew she was ill. I'm so sorry, LMC. So very sorry.
She had a good, long, loved life thanks to you! And went loved.
to our furfriends.
I am so sorry.
Safe passage, little one.
I lost my old cat on Easter Sunday this year. It's hard.
I am so very sorry. I know well how much this hurts. She was a beautiful cat. I know that your good memories will sustain you.
My best wishes to you.
It is never easy, no matter how much we know it is coming.
Sorry for your loss.
