Monday, July 12, 2010

ON FAMILY ~ Lucy, No...


This is Sweet Lucy. Lucy Lu. Lucy No. Little One. She was born with a genetic heart condition that cut her young life short this past weekend at the age of 2. It was very traumatic, for her and for us, and for her surviving brother Tedy, who has the same condition. But beyond the sudden pain and fear, there were good things to hold on to. She was outside where she most loved to be when the massive clot paralyzed her hind legs. We were home and at her side right away. Able to bring her to emergency care to alleviate that pain quickly. And in the end, after our heartbreaking decision, she graced us with her trademark purr and a kiss before she left this world.


We have loved and lost a collection of kitties during our time together. And it never gets easy. How could it? It sucks. There is no easy way. Finding them already gone leads to lots of questions and hope that there was no pain. Being the one to guide them out of this life feels unfair and backhanded while they look at you so trusting. Watching them suffer from declining health feels guilty. And losing them to unforeseen forces is cruel.


Lucy and Tedy were rescued from a feral neighborhood cat by a friend because the rest of the litter didn't survive. A year after we brought them home we learned why - this matter of their hearts. Never once would you know that Lucy had a bum ticker. She was all movement or all sleep. An eternal kitten. She would awaken from a dead sleep to the sound of paper rustling. Bleary eyed and with bed head she would appear, begging for a wad of paper to be flung across the room for her to chase. And chase she would - launching over her lazing brother in mid-stride, crashing into furniture while sliding past her target. Batting it around better than any soccer pro. And when it came to a stop she would pick it up in her mouth and trot it right back to us to throw it for her again and again - the fetching cat.


She had a favorite felt toy that would appear magically in random parts of the house - on the stairs, in the basement, outside our bedroom door, next to the bed. It would let us know where she had wandered during her day while we were away at work. Lucy Was Here.


She was constantly leaving paw prints on the TV, nose prints on the windows, and tattered pieces of our couch in shreds from her scratching. Her middle name quickly became "No" because of the mischief she couldn't keep herself out of. "Lucy! No!" was a common refrain in our house. She was named after Lucille Ball and her crazy but well intended antics - and she lived up to her namesake quite well.


But more than anything, she was sweet. She hated to be picked up and placed in a lap - wriggling away as if she was being smothered. But you wouldn't feel rejected for long. Under her terms she would come bounding back, tail sticking up proudly and trotting lightly on her paws. Up into your lap she would land - when it was her idea there was no stopping her from a snuggle. She licked and licked and licked - fingers and blankets - while kneading away. And then she would curl herself up into a tight, warm, furry ball like a potato bug - snug against you for the night. Because you couldn't bear to make her move - so sweet.


She packed a lot of punch into her small little body and her ailing heart overflowed with love for everyone she met. She was the official greeter and enjoyed being where the people were. She was a valiant hunter of small critters, many of whom we rescued again and again. She never turned down her brother's requests for a bath, regardless of how tired she was. She knew how to climb up into and back down from trees all on her own. She loved our daily routines. And that is why it is so hard to overcome her death. Because she was such a large part of every part.


We love her. We miss her. We want her back

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry for your loss of Lucy. What a great friend with a wonderful personality. ((hugs))

Lin said...

Oh, NO! I am sooo sorry that you lost your Lucy. I'm sure your heart is aching. I am sending love and hugs to help you in your time of sadness.

I lost my Henry (age 3) to the same thing, so I know how you feel. It is devastating to see that happen to them at such a young age.

Know that your sweet Lucy loved you and was grateful for the good life you gave her for her short time here on this good green earth. She was loved and cared for and she will be waiting for you at the Rainbow bridge.

There is just something about loving a kitty--you never,ever let that go. She will always be with you and you will see her in every cat you meet.

Molly said...

I am so SO sorry for your loss! I hope that writing this post helped to ease the pain a little; it helped me when I lost my beloved Mia a little over two years ago.

My heart - and prayers - go out to you, your family, and sweet little Tedy who must be so lonesome right now.

Terry Kate said...

I cried, thanks for sharing and I am so sorry for your lose,
Love and best wishes to you both,
Terry Kate

Heather said...

Oh I am in tears for you! I have lost my share of furry children, it is never easy. My boys have been gone for 4 years and I still miss them like it was yesterday. This was a beautiful post for such a beautiful girl. You'll be in my thoughts.

Janet said...

I'm sorry to hear about Lucy...you gave her a wonderful life.

Kim said...

So, so sad. I'm so sorry. She was lucky to have you to care for her.

soleil said...

Growing up we had a string of kitty friends that we loved fiercely but didn't stay in this world long. I'm sorry you have to go through this too. :(

Anonymous said...

So sorry about your sweet kitty. She looks like a real charmer. I know you will miss her. :-(

Tami said...

Sorry to hear about Lucy. Pets can be a wonderful addition to life, but losing them is awful. Hugs from another animal lover!

LJ said...

My condolences. I've been in your shoes (a few times) and its never fun. The loss of a pet is horrible. Especially little furry ones like this that have wormed their way into our hearts. Hugs.

Kathleen said...

Your post brought me to tears. What a beautiful tribute to your sweet Lucy.

Sandy Nawrot said...

Oh guys, what a wonderful tribute to sweet baby kitty Lucy. She looks like my sweet baby kitty Hope, who I had to put down about five years ago because of kidney failure. I had to put my Hope and my dog Meggie down within a year of each other and I still am in pain. I understand the pain. To combat the loss, I went right out and got Casper, the little poop that is on my blog header. He helped us get over Hope, but he also helped our other cats get over Hope. It is so hard. I am so sorry.

Jess said...

We will miss lil Miss Lucy... she was a beautiful kitty and your brother and I are so glad that we had a chance to spend some time with her in her beautiful and happy life. Much love to you all.

ds said...

They come to us for a reason. It is as if they know who the right Person (or People, in this case) is to take care of them. We adopted Mr. Man and Miss Moo in part because our Empress was beginning to fail; we all swear that they added 6 months to her life. As they daily add immeasurably to ours. And we wonder, with his allergies (to everything) who would have taken him? They each have qualities of your Lucy.

She leaves a hole in your hearts, but she knew how much you loved her, and that you made her too-short life perfection. Hugs to you and an extra pat for Tedy. I am so sorry for your loss.

kayerj said...

((((hugs))))

Anonymous said...

I'm crying right along with you! What wonderful memories of Lucy. I am so sorry. They just sneak right into your heart and never let go. Sending happy and comforting thoughts your way.

Penny said...

This made me cry. I am so sorry to hear about Lucy. I know you loved her dearly. Sending you hugs and love and warm thoughts.

Unknown said...

I'm so sorry to hear about Lucy. It's obvious how very much she meant to you.

Anonymous said...

so sorry Mols. you gove so much to your animals and you cared so well for Lucy - Mary

Susan said...

Molly and Andy, I'm so very sorry that you lost your dear little girl. I cried through every word. At the end I felt as if I had known little Lucy personally...what a sweet and lovable baby. Big warm hugs from me, and for Tedy, too. ((hugs))

Matty said...

Matty showed me your post here since he knows I can relate to that great love we have for our pets. I'm so sorry about your loss of Lucy. I too know that feeling of having a cat on either side in bed and being uncomfortable all night instead of making them move!! Now you are glad for all the times you did. It's so hard to lose one of your best friends who always loves you and never judges and appreciates you. You were so lucky to have eachother. Hugs to you. Mary

Caspette said...

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss.

What a lovely cat Lucy was.

Event though her life was short it was obviously filled with lots of love.

*hugs*

Lisa said...

Lucy was beautiful! So sorry for your loss.

Unknown said...

I'm so sorry for your loss! What a wonderfel tribute to Lucy! You guys are in my thoughts!