Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Farewell, Sweet Mistrie Rose

 

Mistrie Rose came to the Big Piney Woods in the fall of 2004. My husband said "there is a cat in the wood shed with tiny foot prints, you might want to put some food out." My first vision of her was a blur running away as fast as she could go, from the food bowl on the porch. During the late fall and winter I got pictures of her through the window, at a distance. Through the years I got closer and closer and was finally able to go outside (on the back deck only, not the front where the food was) and she would let me get closer and closer. She finally trusted me enough that, when I opened the patio door, she would come up for a brushing, for treats, for a petting. She would purr and drool and talk to me. I was the only one she ever trusted but try as I might, she wouldn't let me pick her up and I never pushed it. She was a spayed torbie, age unknown. I think she was one of 40 cats that came from up the road, when the people moved. Some of the cats couldn't be caught, I assume she was one of them. She loved the wood shed so I built beds at both ends, there was a bed under the back deck and one under the hemlock trees. She had heated water (thanks to Robyn of the Hotties who sent me a large heated water bowl) and plenty of food. When we quite burning wood my husband turned a large container into an insulated bed, put up on a table. This is where she spent her final days.

She loved the Big Piney Woods and it always was wonderful to see her, in the sun, chasing leaves, patrolling her domain, cat meditating, looking in for one of the girls, watching the geese on the pond. She loved seeing the girls and always visited them once a day when the weather was OK. She even visited during snowfalls and rain storms, so lonesome, yet I could never get her to come in the house. She was great friends with the fairies and little people of the woods. She NEVER went beyond an invisible fence, NEVER going out to the road (we had plenty of times over 9 years to watch her and where she turned around.) I always worried about her because of predators, but she was very smart. I always worried about her in the winter but she put on fat and a thick torbie coat and would be seen on the coldest of days, catching sun rays. I always worried..........

For the past two years she wasn't putting on as much weight as she had but she still looked fit and healthy. A week before she passed I noticed her food wasn't being eaten. I supplemented with everything I could think of including different dry food, Fancy Feast, and finally turkey baby food. I brought the food out to her in the wood shed, checking on her many times a day. Several days before she passed I watched her make a final visit to her favorite hunting spot, she slept under the hemlocks and checked out an insulated bed there. She came to say goodbye, looking in the window, her tiny body must have been cold. It was the weekend and by Sunday I saw her sitting under the hemlocks, bending over. I went out to see her and she didn't run, I knew then she was really sick and the expression in her eyes asked me to help her. Monday morning I found her against the house, in the sun. I put a towel over her, sure she would run. She looked up at me, pleadingly. I didn't know what she would do when I picked her up, but, she did nothing, she was a feather. Once in the carrier she seemed to relax. I put her in the sun on the deck and she stretched out like she used to and slept. I left her there for 2 hours, soaking up the sun. I have very sad memories of that last day, visions I can't get rid of. I stayed with her to the end and she went peacefully and finally warm and safe.

My heart is broken Run free tiny girl, Patches will be there to greet you and all the kitties who went before. Till we meet again, dollgirl.

62 comments:

Zoolatry said...

Many blessings to you Toni, for your good and kind heart. Though it is hard, be happy that sweet Mistrie is beyond pain, in a warm sunpuddle forever.
Hugs, Ann
Maggy and Zoey

Marilynn said...

All our condolences to you all ... it's so hard to lose a precious one I know we've all been through it in different ways, but it never gets easier.

Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrsssssssssss and prayers and {{{{hugs}}}} for you all.

Marilynn
Grace & Company

Memories of Eric and Flynn said...

Such a beautiful tribute to lovely Mistrie Rose. Our eyes are leaking after reading it. You all were some of our very first friends when we started blogging and helped us out when we couldn't get things right. We will always remember Mistrie and watching the fairies with her.
Hugs and purrs to you.

Brian's Home Blog said...

It is so tough, but she knew she was loved and you made her heart smile. Hugs from all of us.

Gemini and Ichiro said...

Mistrie Rose was a lucky girl who got live life on her own terms in a place that was safe, when most cats who needed her terms wouldn't have a safe place. She was very lucky to have you and we think she knew it.

Purrs to you.

Fr. Tom Fish said...

You were a special part of her life and that she will always remember. Purrs and prayers.

Tom, Mom Julie, Tinker & Anastasia

Victor Tabbycat said...

Run free, Ms Mistrie! Fly with the fairies of the Big Piney Woods forevermore. We are glad to have known you.

Ellen Whyte said...

It's sad but we hope you feel better knowing that you gave Mistrie a good life after being so lost and frightened and hungry.

Anonymous said...

Oh, Toni. I am in tears from reading your post. I am so, so sorry for your loss of sweet Mistrie Rose. Please know that I am thinking of you and sending hugs and comfort to you. I have read every one of your posts from when you first started "The Calico Girls" blog. And I know how much you loved and cared for Mistrie Rose. You took such great care of Mistrie Rose, and I know that she loved you and trusted you and knew you would take care of her until the end. You are a wonderful cat mommy. And Mistrie Rose will always be with you in your heart.
Barbie-Lou

Katie Isabella said...

I'm in tears too...you were so good to that dear little girl and thank you for loving her and allowing her to be with you on the only terms she couuld.

Cathy Keisha said...

Our eyes are all misty. She know she was loved and loved you back. I don't like to be picked up and will try to bite if TW tries. Still I'm loved and cared for.

Pip said...

We are sad for you, me knows you will miss your sweet girl. She was very lucky to have you in her life.
TK

A few Good Cats said...

We hope the kindness you showed this cat comes back to you many times over.

Willow said...

We are all so sorry about Mistrie Rose. We remember seeing the fairies and we are sending our love and purrs over to all of you.

Purrrrrrrrrrrrrs, China Cat & Willow
and Mom Teri

Jans Funny Farm said...

What good memories you have of her over the years. May the last ones grow less painful with time as they are replaced with happier ones. {{{Hugs}}}
Jan

Random Felines said...

our outdoor kitties live hard lives.... and yet most wouldn't let us "save" them. Mistrie Rose was loved - and she knew that. You did the very best you could for her....

The Lee County Clowder said...

Run free, little torbie. Chase fairies and leaves at The Bridge, and sleep well in a sun puddle when ever you want.

Thank you for caring for her all those years, and for giving all of us a glimpse into her life.

Angels Amber and Max DaWeenie and Mom said...

That was a very beautiful tribute to your pretty girl. She left you with so many good memories. Run young and free again.

cats of wildcat woods said...

Remember the good times and the last ones will recede and become less painful. You gave her a good life that might have been so very different if you had not been there. I know your heartache and send loving thoughts to you.

Mariodacat said...

I'm so very sorry for your loss. You did as much for her as you could do, including love her. Yes, remember the happy days and know she loved you too in her own way. Now she is running forever free.

Anonymous said...

Mom and us are very sad about Mistrie Rose. You took such good care of her and helped her off to the bridge with the warmth of the sun, and your love.

Zippy, Sadie, Speedy and M'Gee said...

:'( Godspeed Mistry, have fun at the Bridge and we'll meet you there someday.

Karen Jo said...

You wrote a beautiful tribute to Mistrie Rose, Toni. I am sure that there are fairies at the Bridge for her to play with and that Patches was waiting to greet her as she arrived.

Just Ducky said...

Calico Mom Toni, you did what was best for Mistrie Rose at each time of her life. You allowed her to live a wonderful life on her terms. She touched your heart and life, and in turn you touch her heart and life.

You will forever remember her, as will we.

Purrs and hugs.

Derby, Ducky and Mum Janet

Alasandra, The Cats and Dogs said...

What a lovely tribute to a beautiful soul. Comforting purrs for you.

Anonymous said...

Such a beautiful post about a beautiful girl. The lady hasn't stopped dripping tears on us yet. We will miss you, Mistrie Rose. You had a wonderful life and we know you'll be running and playing with Patches at the Rainbow Bridge till we see you again. Purrs and love from all of us.

Cat said...

It is a demonstration of how much she loved you that she let you pick her up and help her at the end. Mistrie Rose knew she could trust you. Please accept my heartfelt condolences.

Ozark Mountain Cats said...

We're sorry that it was Mistrie's time to run off to the bridge.

Ozark Mtn Cats

Ikaika said...

A lovely tribute to much-loved Mistrie Rose. She well have wonderful company at the Bridge.

caspersmom said...

I am so sorry to hear about Mistrie Rose Toni. It always is so sad the last day of their lives. I will pray that the sad memories of the last day will grow faint and all you will remember is the times she made you happy and how she was happy being outside in your woodshed even though it was cold at times. God Bless you for caring and taking care of her.

Love,
Monica

Angel Junior, Orion and Sammy said...

you did the very best and hardest thing for her. Letting her go from the body that was wore out here on the Earthly plane. Now she is in a wonderful place, with her body restored and she feels like a kitten again. We know you will see her again one day, and we are certain she was met the the bridge by our brofur Junior, and so many others.

((HUGS))

Max said...

I am so glad she found you...

Hannah and Lucy said...

We are so sorry to hear about your Mistrie Rose - we don't think we had ever met her but felt we would like to come and give you lots of purrs. Mum says it is always very sad to lose a beloved friend and sends her love.
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx

CATachresis said...

This is very sad, but you gave her as much love and care as she would accept and she had a good life with you. At the end she came to you because she knew you would help. A lovely tribute. xx

Milo and Alfie Marshall said...

Thank you for loving her so much and making her life as good as you could, whilst allowing and respecting her desire for freedom. Bless you and your beautiful girl. Purrs. xx

The Meezers or Billy said...

we know she loved you so much MomToni - and she trusted you to do the right thing. We loved her too - she was so very beautiful. we know that she and Patches are watching over all of you. purrrssss xoxoxoxox

Shaggy and Scout said...

A beautiful tribute to this dear little cat and such good memories. Please be comforted knowing, as others here have said already, that because of you and the abundant love you have to share she had a truly good life. I am so glad you were there for her at the end, and that she had your kindness and love to rely on. ((((hugs))) Lynne

ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

What a lovely moving memorial to dear Mistrie Rose. She was a very special girl and so dear to your heart and to the hearts of many in the CB. Run free and play with those fairies at the Bridge Mistrie Rose, see you when it is our time.

xoxoxo

Bengal Duo ~ Zulu and Deene said...

I'm so sorry you had to lose your Mistrie Rose... I know that heavy feeling of loss all too well. Purrs from Zulu and prayers from us all <3

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Timmy Tomcat said...

Purrs for Mistrie.
May she fly free and wait for us to come as we all shall.

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