Saturday, July 3, 2010

Saying Goodbye

Callie loving on a blogger's holiday gift to me.
Christmas 2009
*          *          *
Today I'm mourning the loss of my blog's mascot, Callie Cat Hartness.  Diabetic and advanced in age (15 years), she died peacefully in her sleep today.  She's been part of our family since the summer of 1995, just after my husband and I married.  She came from the local ASPCA in Biloxi, MS as a 6-8 week old kitten. Sometimes we think she chose us, not the other way around!

Callie saw it all--- our move back to our native North Carolina, the purchase of our first home, the birth of our two children, our career move to Vero Beach, FL and so much more.  She survived many scrapes with death, having more than one kitty accident along the way.  Her patience with our wiley boys was remarkable, as she endured occasional chasings and slightly-rough toddler petting.

As I sit here in my room, all is silent, there's no cat sitting in the window or at the foot of my bed.  I already miss her so. She was a good friend and companion, and like all good family pets, she will never be forgotten.


R.I.P.
Callie Cat Hartness
1995-2010

Q
Callie not long after she joined us in 1995.
She loved to find hidey holes, like in between the cereal boxes. 
And once as a kitten she got herself shut into the fridge for a few minutes!




Callie sometime in the last year or so.
In her favorite perch in the bedroom window, looking out on the world.





42 comments:

  1. I'm so sorry....I've lost several kitties over the years and it doesn't get any easier. They are all special.

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  2. Carolsue:

    Thanks so much for your thoughts. I've lost pets before, but this one's the hardest. Sigh...

    Laura

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  3. Laura, it is indeed hard, I still miss my little Gigi and she has been gone almost 5 months now...I am sorry...

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  4. (((Laura))) I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your precious cat :(

    ((Hugs))

    Maria

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  5. Thanks, ladies. I woke this morning after over 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep, as Callie didn't wake me as she usually would. Sleeping that long was nice, but I'd give it back in a heartbeat to have her with me now. I know this will get easier with time, but today is going to be hard. Thanks for your thoughts.

    Laura

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  6. oh Laura, Im so sorry to hear about the loss of your baby :( Hugs to you and your family. xoxo

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  7. Lindsey:

    Thanks. You know, for 5 years she really was our baby, before the kids were born. And just the other day I was cradling her on her back in my arms, scratching her chest/tummy.

    Gah! I don't need to be thinking about this!

    Laura

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  8. Aw....so sorry to hear that :( She was a beauty! I don't know what I'd do without my two cats....probably get more sleep since they like to fight at 4am :) Happy 4th!

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  9. Yes, I did get more sleep this morning. A sad but true fact.

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  10. I am SO sorry! I am a cat lover all the way (I have 3) so I can understand how difficult this must be for you. What a beautiful kitty she was. You and her will be in my thoughts.

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  11. Steph:

    Thanks so much. She was a scrappy little thing-- they think she was the runt of her litter. Callie was pretty in her own way.

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  12. Katy:

    Thanks for your thoughts. I keep looking at her pictures, wishing she was still here.

    I know tomorrow will be easier.

    Laura

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  13. So sorry you lost your kitty. When I lost my cat Ivy, it was very hard--she used to ride around the house sitting on my shoulder. :) It hurt to lose her. They are part of your family, manage to touch your heart, and are greatly missed when gone.

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  14. Thanks, Mel. Callie used to do the same thing. I always wanted her to do that while I was sitting in a recliner or in bed, but she never would. I guess she liked to be "top cat", moving around the house.

    L

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  15. I am so sorry to hear about you cat. It is heart breaking when our pets pass on. :(

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  16. Sorry to hear about your loss. All the best! John

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  17. Sorry for your loss, Laura. Hugs to you.

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  18. I'm so sorry Laura. I've lost a couple of very special cats in the past 16 years so I know how hard it is. May she RIP.

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  19. Beautiful tribute Laura. You will miss her, but the memories are forever. Hope you and your family are adopted by another kitty soon.

    Cheers, Laurel Ann

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  20. Laurel Ann:

    Thanks Laurel Ann. I just got a lovely condolence card in the mail from my vet, & it got me crying all over again.

    We'll definitely be putting ourselves up for adoption by another kitty in the future, but it's going to be a little while. Taking a breath for a bit.

    Cheers to you,

    Laura

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  21. I have come in very late but please accept my condolences. A loss of a pet is so very very hard.

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  22. Mystica:

    Thanks for your thoughts. You're not late at all-- it's going to take me more than 5 days to say goodbye to her. Everyone's comments have been so nice & I really appreciate them.

    Laura

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  23. Laura-
    I am so sorry. Losing a beloved companion is never easy. My thoughts are with you during this time.

    -CYM

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  24. aww..so sorry. I had a cat who was also named Calli. Lost her after having her a part of my life for a better part of a decade. I know that there is a very special bond between a human and their pet. For me, I could never have another cat, but we do have a dog who is very much a part of our family.

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  25. Jewel:

    Thanks for your thoughts. Yes, it's always hard to lose a Callie. I do want another cat someday, but it's going to be a little while I think.

    Laura

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  26. Laura-I am so sorry for your lost-she is a cute little girl-I have only lost one cat-a year ago and it is hard to let go-I hope they are playing together somewhere.

    xoxoxo E.

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  27. Esme:

    Aww! Now you've got me teary-eyed! Thanks for your thoughts.

    Laura

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  28. You have a lot of good thoughts coming from our place as well - human and critter.

    It's not easy to let them go, but the time we do get with them is precious.

    BTW.. your header with her photo is what got my attention directed to your lovely blog.

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  29. Jules:

    Thanks so much for your thoughts. And I'm glad her photo drew you in. I'll take it as a compliment on her behalf!

    Laura

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  30. I'm truly sorry!! Pets are the important family members.

    ..I'm visiting here in first time and your blog looks like very nice.

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  31. Ninnu:

    Thanks for your thoughts, and I'm glad you stopped by!

    Laura

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  32. I just wrote a poem about CC--CallieCat--but it disappeared--maybe CC saw it; we all will miss her--Paw

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  33. Thanks, Paw. She was a good friend. She saw it all, from the beginning of our marriage in '95, two kids, 3 moves, multiple kitty operations... she lived a full life to be sure. I miss "The Schmaow", as we used to call her...

    L

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  34. So sorry about Callie. You remind me to enjoy every moment with Puttytat.

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  35. Jennifer:

    Thanks so much. I still miss her. We'd like to get another cat one day, but it's just not time yet. Yes, you enjoy your kitty-- they are precious gifts.

    Laura

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  36. Jennifer:

    You're not late to comment! I appreciate these nice thoughts whenever they come!

    Laura

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  37. Awhh such a precious cat! I'm so sorry. :/

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  38. I am sorry for your loss. I also apologise for this very late (four years later) response. >< I love cats dearly and I do miss them when they pass on. ):

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  39. Rosa: Thanks so much-- she was a sweet kitty. I still miss her, and hope that we can get another cat again one day. We'll be moving out of our rental home in a few weeks and into our own home, so perhaps we'll be able to add a furry friend to our household again soon...

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