Stories of Lost Loves

Jake

In April of 2000, a little black kitty came into the world somewhere on the grounds of a middle school in Sherman Oaks, California. Some teens or pre-teens thought it would be cute to place him on the roof of the main building. He was rescued and went to live with and love his new "mom". He developed asthma early on and was on an inhaler--yes--an inhaler for much of his life. Steroids and such bulked him up to 24 pounds--a gentle giant, as he was called by his friend and vet, Dr. Tracy McFarland. In recent weeks Jake fought off a bout of pancreatitus and was doing quite well. He even let Mom go on a short vacation.

Without warning,on Friday, January 11, 2008, he suddenly could not navigate and breathing became very labored. Although he was immediately rushed to his doctor, his little heart couldn't take anymore and the world lost a sweetheart of a feline, Jake. This page is dedicated to his memory by Mom, Carolyn and sister, Misty.

I want to thank Dr. Tracy McFarland for her dedication, compassion, and professionalism. I've known this kind and wonderful human being for fourteen years, and one couldn't ask for a better vet and friend. She works only with cats (hence the name, "The Cat Doctor") and truly loves her work. She can't imagine how much her evening calls to check on the Jakester meant to me. I am blessed to know such an individual. A real gem!

Jake - the gentle giant, 04/01/00-01/11/08

The Gentle Giant -- Jake
You owned my heart in every way

My boy with eyes of green
You owned my heart and others, too
Not an ounce of you was mean

You were rescued from a roof top
A tiny baby kitty
And grew into a gentle giant
And oh--you were so pretty

Those gorgeous eyes could melt the heart
Of every soul you met
Your gentle purrs and kisses
I will not soon forget

The asthma and inhaler
Caused some folks to laugh
But deep inside, I think perhaps
It cut your life in half

The recent battle you just fought
With pancreatitis, too
May have weakened your little heart
It was just too much for you

So dear sweet Jake I'll let you go
As tears fill up my eyes
Please send me licks and purrs galore
If you should hear me cry

A mamma's boy is what you were
And what you'll always be
You've owned my heart in every way
And every part of me

Rest in Peace, Jake

Misty
3/6/2002 – 7/24/2017

One of the hardest things I’ve had to do
In many many years
To say goodbye to you, sweet thing
My eyes are filled with tears

The constant thirst and hunger
You struggled with each day
I should have stopped much sooner
But I so wanted you to STAY

You were my sweet sweet Misty
And I loved you from day one
Your disposition and your soul
Unmatched by anyone

Just a little baby
Barely six weeks old
Your markings were so pretty
And a joy meant to behold

A tiny little thing you were
Into a beauty you did grow
And now your body’s frail and thin
Your pace once fast, is slow

Your blood work showed up pretty good
A month or so ago
But in my heart, I saw your ‘pain’
And knew that soon you’d go

No longer could I sit and watch
As the weakness in you grew
Your fight is finally over

And I am feeling blue

I kissed your body one more time
I love you—oh so much
I’ll miss you and your sweet sweet ways
And I’ll miss your gentle touch

Rest in Peace, Misty

Misty

After losing my Calico, Smoochie, I was in search of another kitty to be a companion to Jake. My Vet--The Cat Doctor & Friends--let me know about a little female just in and ready for adoption. Enter Misty. At first, Jake didn't know what to make of this tiny little sweetheart. They hissed and eventually would be lovey dovey when they thought I wasn't looking.

Misty had the SWEETEST disposition ever. She was the 'groomer', fixing my hair or my mother's hair. A doll!

She slowly began showing signs of kidney problems. Her pace slowed down a lot and she constantly wanted water.

I saw the pain in her eyes and knew she was losing a lot of weight, too. She suffered enough, and the extremely difficult decision had to happen, as her quality of life had diminished greatly. Saying goodbye to this sweetie came just a few months after losing my mom. Tough times and losses.

Tiffany

Fall of 2007..I was actually looking for another male kitty after Jakes untimely death. Through my vet, I was made aware of Forgotten Angels Cat Rescue in Palmdale, CA. They held adoptions at Petsmart on certain weekends. Went up there on a Saturday with a dear friend of mine. I had a certain male in mind that I'd seen on FA's website. While in the cat area, I was more or less being ignored by the male, but my friend said that this Siamese had been watching me the whole time...more or less scoping me out.. When I looked at her, it was like she said...YOU"RE MINE! And I was. Biggest cuddler and lover. She would climb up on the recliner and wedge herself in to my arm/elbow area and just lie there purring.

In time, I knew she wasn't feeling well, but the local vet I was using just said it was probably the IBS bothering her. Later that evening at home (May of 2019) she was lying on my bed looking at me and letting me know she was NOT WELL. I sat on the bed next to her and she simply laid her paw on my hand, as if to say.."I'm tired, Mom, and not well.

We went to emergency where I learned her sweet little heart was not completely functioning and her lungs were filling. Treating her would just have been a band aid and very painfully I stayed with her as she crossed the rainbow bridge. Sure miss her and those gorgeous blue eyes. Hence...the name Tiffany.

Tiffany
8/30/2007 – 5/24/2019

With her till the very end
I felt her drift away
Holding her and kissing her
And loving her all the way

I knew she’d been uncomfortable
As on my bed she lay
Breathing hard she took my hand
With her paw, as if to say

I love you, Mom but I’m so tired
Not really getting better
I’ve loved her oh so very much
Since the first day that I met her

Saw several kitties on that day
But Tiffany chose me
I didn’t realize it then
How lucky I would be

She told me when to get up
When it was time to eat
In the evening on my lap she’d be
Giving ME a treat

I’ll miss those gorgeous eyes of blue
And her purrs most every night
I’ll miss her kisses and her ‘nips’
It just doesn’t seem quite right

Hugging her and kissing her
I told her she’d be just fine
Seeing her drift off peacefully
Will give me peace of mind

Rest in Peace, Tiffany. I love you