Monday, April 1, 2019

Goodbye my kitten

Pigeon came into my life during my last year of law school. She was a stray outside my parents' home, and I fell in love with her gentle demeanor and powerhouse purrs. She went to live temporarily with a friend until I finished school and got settled back in Texas. I tried several names on her, but it was my brother who started calling her "Pidge" because of her strange cooing purrs. She was always my quiet kitty, hanging in the background and letting her big brother take up most of the attention. While Scribbles was always a dog in cat's clothing, Pigeon was very much a cat -- independent, aloof, but very insistent when SHE decided it was time for snuggles. She's always been extremely sociable, coming up to visitors she'd never met and demanding to be petted right now, thank you.

Pigeon's changing attitude about dogs is probably the one thing I'll remember most about her. When I first brought Casey home, she was completely horrified and wanted NOTHING to do with this crazy furball. She hid on top of the kitchen cabinets for *two years* afterwards, and was still reluctant to come further down than the countertops even after that. But she warmed up a little to Cinderella, and then when Jessie came home she suddenly found her sister from another mister. The two of them were SO adorable together, watching Jessie's super slow and careful play so Pigeon wouldn't get scared and the two of them snuggling up together time after time for naps. Pigeon clearly mourned when Jessie died, and she desperately wanted the same relationship when Matilda joined the family. It took the energetic puppy quite a while to figure out how to handle a by now pretty frail cat, but Pigeon refused to run and hide from her and eventually they bonded and became sisters too.

Pigeon was always very low-key and happy right up through becoming an elderly cat. But she started to show signs of kidney failure and liver disease at 16. Over the past year or so, I've watched her slowly decline, constantly debating with myself when enough is enough. This weekend she stopped eating, so I knew it was time. I held her as she crossed to the Bridge, and told her that she was the very best kitten ever. She was 17 years old, and I had her for 16 years, the longest of any of my pets. I think that as soon as Pigeon crossed the Rainbow Bridge, she gave a happy headbutt to her other siblings and then jumped straight on the couch to play with Jessie and fall asleep curled close together. Thinking of them together again makes me smile through the tears.



30 comments:

  1. What a special kitty Pigeon was. Our hearts break for you and Matilda. Pigeon will be missed by so many♥

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  2. Hari OM
    RIP Pigeon - free of the discomforts of these closing years, though they were softened by the Love that surrounded you.
    Andrea - just hugs... and Love. YAM xx

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  3. Oh nose, sending you lots and lots of LUFFS and HUGS, what a tough time you've had.
    Just remember we are here thinking of you and sending our very best wishes
    Loves and licky kisses
    Princess Leah xxx

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  4. Dearest sweet Pigeon....bless your sweet little kitty heart. You for sure lived life to the fullest where ever you lived. How blessed to have been loved by all your boxer sibs Cinderella, Casey, Jessie and Matilda.
    Run free my Orange Lady...I hope you and Madi have found each other.
    Hugs to your momma.
    Cecilia

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  5. I am so very sorry Pigeon has passed over that bridge. I like to think as you do, she is with sweet Jessie.. I have loved all your pets and each time one leaves it hurts my heart for them and for you...

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  6. We're so sorry for your loss! We'll miss you, Pigeon!!!!
    Cam and Mags
    And our mom

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  7. We are so very sorry. Pigeon "Pidge" gave it the good fight. We always wondered where she got her name. Soft woos and gentle hugs - it never gets any easier:(

    Woos - Lightning, Misty, and Timber

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  8. We are so sorry. Pigeon was special to all of us who got to share in her life even if only by blog. Seventeen years is a long time to build happy memories together.

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  9. We are so sorry to hear about Pigeon and are sending lots of hugs and snuggles to you and Matilda!

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  10. We're so sorry to hear Pigeon made her journey over the Rainbow Bridge today. Our paws are crossed for you and Matilda and we are sending you warm hugs.

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  11. hugs to you... our tears are running with yours for your beloved Pigeon...

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  12. Sweet dreams baby girl.
    RIP...

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  13. So hard to lose our fur-babies. My heart goes out to you.

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  14. I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful girl. XO

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  15. We are so sorry to hear of the loss of sweet Pigeon. Purrayers an POTP to all who loved her ! She will never be forgotten!

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  16. Farewell, sweet little one, rest well.

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  17. I'm so very sorry to hear about your sweet Pigeon, such a precious one. Love and hugs from all of us.

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  18. We are so sad that you have had to say good bye to your sweet Pigeon.
    lots of love and pug hugs
    Hazel, Mabel & Mom

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  19. Oh noes. I knows you knew it was near the end, butts that doesn't make it any easier when your baby crosses the Bridge. She sure did have one beautiful life, and I hope you can take joy in all the sweet and funny memories you made with her. Sendin' lots of loves, {{{hugs}}} and slobbery kisses your way. Give Matilda a hug from me too. Will be thinkin' of you gurls, and thank you for sharing her with us
    Kisses,
    Ruby ♥

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  20. Safe travels kit-cat, peace to those that love you,

    Nanük

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  21. Godspeed your journey to heaven Pigeon; we are truly sorry and send hugs to you and your family as well ♥♥♥

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  22. Pigeon had a long, happy life, but we can imagine how missed she is! Warm hugs.

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  23. I am so sorry. I loved reading your remembrance of her... and how she very gradually learned to love dogs. Hugs to you and Matilda.

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  24. I'm so sorry. Pigeon was such a special kitty and I know you will always keep the good memories safe in your heart.

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  25. Sixteen years is a long, long time to share with a pet. I'm so sorry you've finally lost dear Pigeon. However much in your head you know that this time had to come, it's always sad to say goodbye.
    Sending hugs,
    Gail.

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  26. We loved Pigeon and always felt her presence ; knew she was there watching all the shenanigans in your home. We know she had wonderful years with you and that she was truly loved. We will miss her. Rest in peace Pigeon. We are certain you are cooing loudly now and making friends with Esme and Mitalee and all your other earthly, blogging friends who are now greeting you with open paws.Love and hugs to you, Andrea. XO

    Sophie and the critters in the cottage xo

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  27. Mama has been plagued wif da migraines so dis are da furst time we are seeing dis and we are so sorry to hear about Pigeon!!! We nose her is hasen da bestest time all healthy up at da bridge wif her fur siblings but we nose how hard it is fur those of us still on dis side of da bridge. We are sending love and licky kisses your way and lots of pawrayers!!

    xoxo,
    Matt & Matilda

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  28. Sorry to hear about Pigeon. We didnt think of her as a cat, just one of us dogs. We liked when she took over the blog a little before Matilda came. Pigeon was a good sport.

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