Cats, Jax, and the Plastic Princess

Sharky and Bear are digging a grave for Stella as I sit here and type. Bug was on the couch hugging Gabby, but is now sitting with her on my bed. I will get Petunia when we are ready - she has a little party at school and I want her to have happy memories of today.

I had breakfast this morning and spent most of the day going in and out of the bathroom, checking on Stella and talking to her. She was quiet and peaceful, breathing very shallowly. Bug fixed her a little nest in a large shoebox with an old towel, so she could be comfy - before he left for school, he sat in the front window and held the box up so she could see the birds.

The emotions started to get a bit overwhelming, so I went into the living room and cried - and asked my grandmother for help. A few minutes later, the phone rang - it was my best friend, C. I took the phone back into the bathroom and sat on the floor. It was then that I realized that Stella could no longer see.

I spoke a little while longer and then hung the phone up. I laid down on the bathroom floor, next to Stella in her box, and talked to her. I told her about all the cats that will be waiting for her over the Rainbow Bridge - Toby, Butterscotch, Cristle, Tigger, Staley, Spike, Buddy, Ming-a-Ling, Sammy, Elliot, and all the others I have known and loved over the years.

Stella took a deep breath and then her little front paws started "running", just like they would in her sleep. It wasn't a spasm or a seizure, it was just like dream running. I believe she saw the bridge and was heading to it, because she took another deep breath - and it was her last.

I picked her up and kissed her, and laid her back down, in a sleeping position in the box. I then called Sharky and picked him, and then the boys up.

We will be burying her in the front yard. Her favourite place in the whole house was in the front window, watching the birds and squirrels at the feeder.

My Stella Star was a stray, but she never wanted to leave our house. She never once tried to get out the door. She was sent here to us by Bast, we just never realized that it would be such a short stay.

We love you, Stella Star, you will always be in our hearts.