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Dairy of an Old Cat Girl

In Memory of Muffin

18 Years. Such a long time and yet such a short time… How does one express the love and devotion of special cat over those 18 years? Mere words can’t express the strong bond and love that Muffin and I shared. Muffin was with me, and supporting and loving me through so many happy and sad times in my life.

I will never forget that June day in 1989 when Muffin joined us. There was a free kitten sign that my husband, Chris, saw each day on his way back and forth to work. Although he had never had a cat, he knew I loved cats (and really most animals). So he asked me if I would like to look at the kittens and overjoyed I agreed. There were 3 kittens, 2 orange and one fluffy brown and white one. We knew our fluffy Muffin was the one when Chris asked if the kittens were litter box trained and she trotted off to use the box. We knew she was the one immediately and our amazing journey with our Muffin began.

Muffin and I developed a very strong bond over the years. She was my baby, my friend, my confidant. She always slept with me, on my head, my side or at my feet. She followed me almost constantly, if I went upstairs she soon appeared …then back down with me. She waited in the bathroom while I showered.

Sometimes Muffin could be feisty. She was strong willed and liked to have things her way. As an only cat for her first seven years that worked ok. But when Kiwi came along then she had to learn to share, and she did. An amazing cat, she was learning and adapting until the very end.

Muffin was there to comfort me as my tears fell into her fur when my dad departed the earth, and several years later she was there for me again, this time with Kiwi’s help, to again understand and ease my sorrow ,letting me cry into her fur when my Mom passed on. Muffin was there whenever I had a bad colds, she would lay on my chest until somehow she miraculously would ease my congestion. Really anytime I was sad or worried she was there for me, feeling like her job was to ease my pain.

When we moved into our house from the apartment we had loved in for so long, Muffin was there to share our joy. I know she appreciated the extra space, and the windows from which she could watch birds and squirrels. But still she was my little shadow.

Muffin was such a part of our lives; I thought she would be with me forever. And in a sense she will be. I will carry those precious memories with me forever, I’ll never forget the feel of the weight of her little body, warm against me as I sleep. The way she would beg for ice cream, the way she would slowly walk down the stairs, always on the left side, the way she would lick me with her rough tongue….these are all things that will stay with me. And I believe her special soul will stay with me too, still loving me as I still keep loving her.

But as happens for all of us, Muffin’s time came for her body to leave us. Too soon, it always is…. We knew on our wedding anniversary that she was declining. And when the dragonfly lit on Chris that evening and tried to come inside we feared it would not be long. The next day, August 25th 2007, shortly before 7 PM Muffin left her mortal life. She was in my arms as I told her I loved her and told her to go to the light and to go to Peanut. I take comfort in the fact that she was where she was happiest, with me as I held her close looking into her beautiful eyes.
Despite the pain of losing my beloved Muffin, I know that the joy of having her in my life outweighs the pain of losing her. Those wonderful memories we shared will live forever in my heart, and the joy of having been loved so purely and unquestioningly by Muffin was just so extraordinary. Love lasts forever.

I will always love you, my Muffin, my angel.

Love , your Mama Robin

Much excitement for an old gal

Now that I am 18 I thought I should start my dairy. I’ve had a pretty exciting couple of weeks so I actually have something to write about. Usually with us older gals it’s a lot of naptime, not so much excitement…

My birthday was the 7th. I could not believe all the sweet birthday wishes and stars and rosettes I got from my friends, new and old. I thank you all for your kindness. I’m trying to write thank you notes, but being an old lady as I said I need a lot of naps so it is taking a while….

I also learned I was a Morgan’s Choice winner for the Babes in Blue stroll: Miffed in Blue. I practically feel off my kitty condo when Mama told me! Then prizes came too. That was so exciting to get something in the mail. Usually I just get junk mail: credit card offers and book club offers! (Really I do)

A few weeks ago I joined the Olde Furts group. What a wonderful welcoming group of seasoned kitties there. Totally great kitties one and all

Well that is all a lot of excitement for me. I have had to do some extra resting after all this. I’ll try to write a bit on and off about my long life.

Its back to get my 22 hours of beauty sleep

Purrs Muffin