We all know that all gifts given are only temporary…that our own gift of life passes in a blink of an eye. Yet, the grind of daily life has a way of making us forget that we don’t have forever. Forever with those we love, forever to chase dreams, forever to just be. Fourteen years ago I was given one of the best gifts of my life by my friend Julie. One day when Julie was leaving work she found a little kitten in her work parking lot that was starving and battered looking. Though many people walked past this poor little creature so desperately meowing for help, Julie was unable to resist the overwhelming urge to help her. A week later the little furry angel was gifted to me and named Cleopatra.
Though Cleo was a rescue by my friend and myself, I cannot tell you how many times she rescued me. For fourteen years I was given the most beautiful gift of steadfast love, loyalty and companionship in the form of the most beautiful cat. It is difficult to think about Cleo…let alone write about her. As I write this now the tears are streaming down my face. The hole in my heart left by Cleo’s absence is large and I am so heartbroken by the loss of her. She was like a child to me…like family. There is so much to say about the comfort, pleasure and lessons learned from Cleo. She was truly a cat that was curious until her last days. She had an incredible strength and perseverance, even when at her lowest point with her health. Though she came into my world all battered up and frail and left this world much the same, we had a wonderful road together in between all of that. Cleo was a full contact cat and loved being with me at all times, whether that meant sitting on my lap while I was working at my computer or sleeping by my head at night. I honestly believe Cleo knew when I hurt and felt sad whatever sadness I felt, as she was so emotionally connected to me.
In January of 2010 Cleo suffered from liver failure. It was something that struck rather suddenly…at least from my outward perspective. For almost three weeks she was kept alive by me feeding her through a feeding tube. Though she rebounded somewhat from the whole incidence, she was never really the same and was in rather fragile health the following 2.5 yrs. There were many times when I didn’t think Cleo had many days left and then like a typical cat she would surprise me. I guess her attachment to life and to me was strong. All I can say is that crazy cat definitely used up more than her allotted nine lives. In the end her organs ended up shutting down and rather than watching her suffer anymore than she already had my boyfriend (who also loved Cleo deeply) and I decided the most merciful thing to do was to have her put to sleep. We knew that keeping her alive any longer would be an act of selfishness and to see her suffer anymore would be too much to bear.
Exactly a week ago today I said goodbye to my beloved Cleo. I have seen countless butterflies…especially yellow ones, since the day of Cleo’s death. When I picked up her remains (I had her cremated) two days later from the vet, I saw a butterfly that had her similar colors as I was about to step back into my car. As I was holding Cleo, I saw the butterfly for a brief moment before it soared straight up into the sky beyond my field of vision. Of all the years I have been going to Richland Animal Clinic, this was the first time I have ever seen a butterfly near the premises. When I think about that butterfly I sure would like to believe this was Cleo’s way of telling me “I am free, I hurt no longer, I am happy and I will be here waiting for you someday.” And so until we meet again my beloved Cleo, I pray you rest in peace and are enjoying the sun…
To view more images of Cleo there is a gallery dedicated to her on my website. Click here to see more photos.
