Sami, forever loved, always remembered

It is mom bean here again.  I've taken over the blog to share some of my favorite memories and stories of my beautiful girl Sami.  I'm sure Sasha, Saku and Sheldon will forgive me.....so long as I remember to feed them.

Sami came to us in August 2002 from the Regina Humane Society.  We had two cats at the time, Sasha and Silver, and my children convinced me we needed a third. (Don't ask me how....they just did).  When we went to the shelter I was adamant, we were going to get an older cat because kittens get adopted more quickly.  Ha!

We'll just take a peek into the kitten room they said.  We walked in and this little sprite of a kitten (about 6-7 weeks old according to the card) made it very clear she wanted our attention.  She jumped up and down, climbed the bars of the cage, and chirped eagerly.  We laughed because she reminded us of the Baby Sinclair of the Dinosaurs (a television program the kids loved), "I'm the baby, gotta love me".  

So we did.  And from that moment on this little girl had hold of my heart.  We brought her home to meet her older fur-sibs.  Sasha was tolerant (as he is with all kittens) and Silver hated her.  But they came to have an understanding.  As long as Sami was on the other side of Sasha, all was well.  Once Silver ran to the bridge Sami was happy to have Sasha to herself, and he was always her favorite...though the feeling wasn't always mutual.

Later when Shady and Silas came home, Sami became their mother.  She bathed and disciplined them even when they quickly out-sized her.  

Silas is the big orange tabby, his sister Shady is behind him, with wee Sami to their left.

Sami was always a little cat, she'd been found eating garbage in a bin (I assume someone tossed her) and I think that may have stunted her growth.  As the years passed, she became more rotund.  I always laughed and said it was pretty obvious she was my cat, short and round just like me.

She was our Walmart greeter.  There wasn't a person who came into the house that Sami didn't like.  However, when it came to the cats, she definitely ruled the roost.  Both Saku, and now Sheldon met the wrath of the paw of Sami and both learned to give her a wide berth. 

Sami was my cat or rather I was her bean.   Early mornings would find her perched on my shoulder (I sleep on my side), waiting and watching for any signs of wakefulness.  If that didn't work, she'd reach out a paw and touch my face gently.  AND if that didn't work, a claw would be extended to touch my face.  I learned to wake up before the claw was extended too far.

Sami never met a box she didn't like.  No matter the size she found her way in.  Her favorite box came into the house two years ago at Christmas, it sat beside the television stand with a towel in it (which I did switch and wash every so often).  That box is now in the garage as I cannot bear to look at it empty in the place it once 
sat.  

She also loved her toys, not to play with but to bring to me.  I'd hear her peeping her way down the hallway with her kitten, a Easter chick, or a mouse in her mouth.  Sami would drop the toy at my feet and you could see the pride on her face when I praised her for bringing the toy.

Her favorite watering hole was the toilet bowl.  She'd probably hate me for sharing this photo, but it makes me laugh. 

Sami could make me laugh, she could make me smile, and she was the first to comfort me if I was sad.  I think sometimes she was more in tune with my emotions than I am.

I miss her more than words can say.  I reach for where she slept on the bed in the middle of the night and she's not there.  I see one of her toys and I'm reminded I'll never hear that little chirp and trill again.  I see the fourth bowl that I no longer need to fill with food and tears fill my eyes.

Then I look at some of my favorite photos and I smile through my tears.  

  

I am so blessed to have had fifteen years with this beautiful girl.  What I wouldn't give for just one more day.  In time I hope we are reunited.  In the meantime, I'm sure she, Silas and Shady are getting caught up...while Silver is reminding her to keep her distance.  

Thank you to everyone who has left a comment in the past few days.  I take comfort knowing you understand our loss and have taken time to leave your kind words and purrs.  

Purrs Please

Any and all purrs and pawsitive thoughts would be appreciated today.

Mom bean here.  Sami hasn't been feeling well for a couple of weeks.  I found a couple of her teeth in my bed one morning and since then she starting eating less.  The last few days have been troubling as her appetite has decreased further, her right eye waters, she's frequently sneezing and one side of her mouth appears to be swollen.

Today, she's hasn't eaten at all and until a couple of minutes ago, hadn't had anything to drink.  She's been sleeping most of the morning.  

We have an appointment at the vet in about an hour.  I'm praying that whatever is going on, can be readily fixed but am mentally preparing myself for the worst. 

She's on my lap at the moment, as if she knows she's the focus of this post.  I'll be giving her lots of love before we head out in the car.  I'll post an update later today or tomorrow.

Update:
Unfortunately my worst fears were realized.  Upon examination, the vet found a large invasive tumour that nearly filled Sami's mouth cavity.  We discussed potential surgeries and palliative care (which would have required pilling), but ultimately I decided I could not put Sami through more suffering and pain.  

With a heavy heart, and many tears I said good-bye to my sweet girl.  She went quietly and peacefully; I truly believe she knew it was her time.  Sami has joined her fursibs Silver, Shady, and Silas at the Rainbow Bridge.  I am grateful that she is no longer in pain, and I know the pain I feel today will be tempered in time.

Sami, you are and always will be part of my heart.