topic Re: Good thoughts/prayers for Kenya's passing... in Community Chat

Good thoughts/prayers for Kenya's passing...

lvenjay — Sun, 16 Feb 2014 23:24:30 GMT

Hi,

Just asking for a few good thoughts and/or prayers for my cat, Kenya, that recently passed. I rescued her 14 years ago and she was 3-6 years old then, so had a long life. A rescue group I work with asked me to do a pick up of a cat. She had been left behind by an owner, who knows how long ago, and a neighbor wanted her "disposed" of. Upon arriving at the house, the guy told me she was tame, proceeded to pick up big barbeque gloves and show me Kenya in two laundry baskets held together with wire.

I suggested he step out of the garage, undid the baskets and placed Kenya in the carrier I had brought. She was understandably upset, but I was able to scruff her and rescue her with just a few scratches on my arms. Other neighbors said she had had several litters of kittens which she was forced to scavenger and forage for any food to have milk to feed them. No one stepped in to help her. No kittens were still alive when I rescued her.

Kenya was a fighter. I was led to believe she had been kicked many times in her life as she attacked my feet and ankles so badly I was forced to wear boots around her. The vet said she must have had many litters of kittens because of her condition when he spayed her. The rescue group could not adopt her because of her temperment, so I adopted her. I worked and worked with her, giving her love and attention, but many times, she was unwilling to believe in me.

Kenya bit and scratched me many times. She probably bit and scratched every friend and relative that tried to pet her. She hated my other cats. She lived mostly in a bedroom, by herself, with a window and a bed she loved to lie on. It was difficult, if not impossible, to take her to the vet. Luckily, she was a very healthy, chubby, grey tabby. She had a sense of herself and what she would and would not tolerate. No trimming of the nails, no petting by the tail, no getting my face next to hers. This was reinforced with scratches and quick bites.

Recently, she had been wanting out of her beloved room and put up with the other cats to sit on the couch with me in the living room. She was having health problems and medicine from the vet that worked earlier had stopped being effective. A cat that used to eat everything had to be tempted to eat and I knew the time was near.

One would think it would be easy to let a difficult, ornery old cat go. It was not.

She now has a place in my urn with many of my other cats that have passed and I honor her memory. She lived her life on her terms and her terms only. I have prayed that she is fine and healthy now and MAYBE getting along with all my other cats on the other side. I am certain she is still bossy.

Thanks for letting me share her story. She was just an old, contrary cat, but I loved her.

Lvenjay

Re: Good thoughts/prayers for Kenya's passing...

Mominohio — Sun, 16 Feb 2014 23:47:07 GMT

Bless you for caring for an animal that most others were willing to throw away. I write with tears in my eyes, as we have adopted animals with similar pasts and problems. They tend to be the kind that "only their mother could love", and love them I do.

My she rest in peace, and be whole and happy at the rainbow bridge. May you find solace in knowing you did a fine thing.

Re: Good thoughts/prayers for Kenya's passing...

emmysmom — Sun, 16 Feb 2014 23:53:43 GMT

What a wonderful mommy you were to this kitty. She is no longer in torment from her former abuse. Bless her heart and yours too!

Re: Good thoughts/prayers for Kenya's passing...

MoJoV — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 00:14:33 GMT

Bless your kind spirit for caring for and loving such an abused animal. You must be a very special person. Kenya was so lucky to be loved by you and having so many years being treated with kindness and love. I'm so thankful for people like you.

Re: Good thoughts/prayers for Kenya's passing...

MoJoV — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 00:14:33 GMT

Re: Good thoughts/prayers for Kenya's passing...

DorothyL — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 00:20:07 GMT

Ivenjay, what a wonderful thing you did for Kenya. I really have no idea why people are so mean to animals. Hopefully, they will get their reward in the end.

It sounds as if you did win over Kenya. She probably knew her time was coming, and she wanted to be near you until the end. You gave her a room, her own bed and a window to look out of. She knew she was safe. She now finally had a good and safe place to live out the rest of her life. And,food and water. And you gave her Love.

Kenya is now at the Rainbow Bridge with her babies, never to be abused again.

I am so sorry for your pain.

Take care.

Re: Good thoughts/prayers for Kenya's passing...

Sheltie Mom — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 00:34:14 GMT

lvenjay, I'm sitting here with tears rolling down my face... your Kenya knew she was loved and safe all her years with you and I'm sure she wanted to be close to you when she felt she was near the end.

I will keep you in my prayers and say a prayer and light a candle for Kenya on petloss dot com in the qvc group. Sending a caring hug to you.

Godspeed Kenya

Re: Good thoughts/prayers for Kenya's passing...

lvenjay — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 01:08:30 GMT

Thank you for your kind replies. I knew animal lovers on this board would understand.

I was with her when she passed. After the first shot, which is meant to knock them out, I cuddled her and petted her. The vet said he wasn't sure if she was aware of anything, but then I saw and felt a light push on my hand from her forehead. She would do this when she wanted me to continue petting her. I believe this was her way of telling me "thank you" and "I love you". I think she knew I was there for her on her final journey.

Re: Good thoughts/prayers for Kenya's passing...

candys mine — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 01:45:26 GMT

Peace

Re: Good thoughts/prayers for Kenya's passing...

emmysmom — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 02:35:45 GMT

On 2/16/2014 lvenjay said:
Thank you for your kind replies. I knew animal lovers on this board would understand.

I was with her when she passed. After the first shot, which is meant to knock them out, I cuddled her and petted her. The vet said he wasn't sure if she was aware of anything, but then I saw and felt a light push on my hand from her forehead. She would do this when she wanted me to continue petting her. I believe this was her way of telling me "thank you" and "I love you". I think she knew I was there for her on her final journey.

OMG! How precious! I am sure thats what she was saying, and you were there with her at the end! If only everyone was as caring and loving as you! I think you are an angel!

Re: Good thoughts/prayers for Kenya's passing...

doxie1 — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 03:07:00 GMT

You were each a blessing to eachother. She is reminding me of the Subaru comercial where a tow truck is delivering a smashed car that looks like everyone died that was in it. The tow truck person is told "they lived" by the police. When he delivers the car to the junk yard he says, "they lived" to the operator. You know what? "Kenya lived" because of you. In spite of everything she went through she made it. How wonderful to have such a long and heathy life with you after all she had been through.

I for one am glad that 14 years ago you responded to the plea to go pick her up and that you persevered to rescue and adopt her. I know she loved being able to live her life on her terms.

God speed Kenya

doxie

Re: Good thoughts/prayers for Kenya's passing...

grandkidsrgreat — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 03:24:04 GMT

Prayers of comfort for you Ivenjay. RIP Kenya. So thankful she found you and was able to live the majority of her life in safety and comfort. Bless You!

Re: Good thoughts/prayers for Kenya's passing...

luvmyteddy4 — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 04:28:52 GMT

That's a wonderful story, Kenya was very lucky to have you. Now she has a giant window to look out.

Re: Good thoughts/prayers for Kenya's passing...

Sammycat1 — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 17:42:31 GMT

The world is a far better place because of angels like you with the patience and devotion to care for a cat who needed your love desperately. Thank you for giving her a marvelous life.

Godspeed, Kenya, you live among the angels now.

Re: Good thoughts/prayers for Kenya's passing...

Tissyanne — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 18:12:13 GMT

There is surely a special place in heaven for people like you. Ever hear of angels among us? You are one. Bless you in all the days of your life. You gave Kenya the joy she would have never known because you have a heart bigger than life.

Re: Good thoughts/prayers for Kenya's passing...

lvenjay — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 19:07:17 GMT

Again, my thanks for your very sweet replies, it makes my heart feel better. I wish no accolades for loving her, over the years she definately rewarded me enough. I was just questioned many times by friends and sometimes even my vet for "putting up with her" when so many tame and sweet cats are euthanized in the shelters. I tried to explain that every cat has worth and Kenya was just as worthy as any cat. (My vet was worried about being bit by her and rightly so!)

I know many of you feel the same way and have rescued and loved "unlovable" pets. Sometimes the difficult ones, the hardest to love, end up teaching us about patience and love.

I love the idea of her having a "giant window" to look out and that she is with the angels. Thank you.

Re: Good thoughts/prayers for Kenya's passing...

LilacTree — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 20:06:26 GMT

You remind my of my DD and her cat, Minou, who I just wrote about here. You and my DD are surely angels of mercy to needy animals, and I admire your dedication and hard work so very much.

I am so sorry for your loss.

Re: Good thoughts/prayers for Kenya's passing...

okBlonde — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 20:09:01 GMT

On 2/16/2014 lvenjay said:
Thank you for your kind replies. I knew animal lovers on this board would understand.

I was with her when she passed. After the first shot, which is meant to knock them out, I cuddled her and petted her. The vet said he wasn't sure if she was aware of anything, but then I saw and felt a light push on my hand from her forehead. She would do this when she wanted me to continue petting her. I believe this was her way of telling me "thank you" and "I love you". I think she knew I was there for her on her final journey.

That made me cry. I'm so sorry.

Re: Good thoughts/prayers for Kenya's passing...

MarLoCat — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 07:29:18 GMT

So Sad to hear about the loss of your Fur-Baby Kenya Sending a Hug from Afar.

Re: Good thoughts/prayers for Kenya's passing...

beastielove — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 16:04:05 GMT

ivenjay..

By the time I had finished reading the first paragraph of your post I was in tears and am still crying after having read your second post (#7).

Kenya's first 6 or 7 years of her life were clearly pure H**l, but because of you the rest of her life was pure Heaven on Earth. I truly believe that a Divine intervention sent you to rescue her.

Please find comfort in the fact that Kenya knew how very much you loved her,that she was surrounded with that same love when you sent her to The Bridge with dignity and in peace and that Kenya is now happily running like a kitten with all of her new friends thru the sunlit meadows of that most blessed place on the other side of The Bridge.

I will light a candle for your precious girl on the petloss dot com site.

((((((((IVENJAY & HER BELOVED KENYA)))))))))

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All of my children have paws =^..^=