Goodbye to our little Ellie kitty

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Well, our little Ellie died this evening, a couple of hours ago, peacefully at home in her big soft bed equipped with her favorite heating pad while I petted her.
I feel so sad, so many tears... even though she had such a wonderful LONG 20 year happy kitty life in a home full of love. Ellie was the world's best mouser in her day. Tiny but tough. Sweet, tidy, and affectionate.
This is a little hard to take since we lost our beloved 8 year old Lydia kitty just four weeks ago to kidney failure, and that was just heartbreaking. In four weeks we have gone from three kitties to one. They are so innocent and sweet and loving, like little children, that's what makes it so hard to bear.

Though I don't kid myself into thinking Ellie was 'comfortable' during her last few days (who is?), I can feel good that she seemed to not be in undue pain despite not being able to walk anymore for the past 48 hours, I actually had her purring even this morning while getting her head rubbed, and she was drinking a bit all the way until this afternoon, while I held a tiny bowl of cool water under her chin. She could still hold her head up and enjoyed getting her head rubbed gently- her favorite ritual.

I was hoping she would pass on peacefully today, and she did.
She was very quiet and sleepy today. DH and I were committed to go play music for our village's farmer's market this afternoon from 4-8pm, and when we got back Ellie was only breathing intermittently. I petted her for 15 minutes and she very quietly stopped breathing. I'm so grateful I was able to get home just in time, even though I think she was probably not conscious. She had as good a life as any cat could wish for, but we'll miss her very much.

Ellie a year ago at 19 yrs, still quite spry:


Yesterday, held in DH's lap while I changed her bedding:

and in her 'hospice bed' yesterday:


I don't even know why I'm posting these pictures, except that it somehow makes me feel a little better, like I am sharing and celebrating Ellie with others who understand. I'm glad she is at peace now.

I take comfort in knowing that once we recover a bit, we will look to open our home to a new shelter kitty, thus saving one desperate homeless kitty in Ellie's honor. I know Pearl the 'prima donna kitty' will object, but she'll just have to deal.