It was obvious from the start that she was a little queen, or more accurately, a little tyrant. She refused to sleep anywhere but burrowed up under my neck as I lay on my side in bed. She did not want to be disturbed while she was sleeping either. It was ok to pet her, when She wanted it, but never, when she was sleeping. Actually, she was a lot like her mama from the start. Not wanting to be bothered, affection only on her terms.
When she was only about 2 months old, she was running around the living room playing, and jumped at a fishing pole propped in the corner. All of a sudden she went tearing across the room, dragging the pole behind her and yowling. I grabbed her and picked her up and that's when I realized the hook had gone all the way through the flesh between her front toes. The vet was opening in an hour, so I sat and held her little body still for an hour, making sure she didn't move and hurt herself any worse. They took her in and despite her small size, were able to put her out and remove the hook. When I picked her up after work, she seemed so frail and tiny, still half "drunk" acting from the anesthesia. I knew then, she was going to be work!
She grew into a fat little cat. She was always small boned and delicate seeming, but had a very long body and a fat little belly that never went away. I remember taking her into the vet to be spayed when she was about a year old and they asked if she was pregnant already, then looked at her and said "nope, she's just really fat!". But boy, could she run, and run fast! She was always an indoor/outdoor cat, and I, her mere door opening slave, day and night. She would sit beside my bed and meow until I woke up and let her out. Then when she wanted back in, she would stand up on her hind legs, and scratch the door just like a dog!
I had Alley in my life for 8 wonderful years. She was my constant companion, sleeping in my bed each night. A few years ago, due to financial reasons, me and my son, and Alley moved back into my mom's house. My mom had a tought tomcat, and a little yorkie dog that weighed about 3 1/2 pounds. Alley was scared and timid for a few days because of the trauma of the move, but that didn't last long and she quickly let everyone know who was boss. When the tomcat came around, she just looked at him like he was nobody and not worth her time. I'll never forget the first, and last time, the little yorkie tried to nip at her tail (when she was looking away, of course!). She turned around and fluffed up her long fur and hissed at him. She weighed about 13 pounds at the time and had her winter fur, so to the tiny dog, a quarter her size, she seemed like a huge monster. He ran crying off and always tiptoed around her after that! It was soooooo hilarious.
She didn't learn to catch a mouse until she was almost 5 years old! She would get them for a second, then they would always get loose. She would sit there watching where she last saw it for hours, waiting for it to come back out! I started to think she was never going to catch on. Until one day, she figured it out. Boy, did she ever! She brought me a baby chipmunk the first time. After that, everything she caught, she would bring in thru the cat flap and lay on the rug next to my bed, to show me what a good girl she was. I always praised her and told her what a good smart girl she was (even though it was gross!).
Last year, I got the chance to move from Oklahoma to Virginia with my boyfriend, to start a new life, new job, etc. My son was a senior in high school and didn't want to leave, so he stayed with my mom. The apt. my boyfriend had does not allow pets, so the decision was made to leave Alley there, at the home she was familiar with for a while. I had hoped that when the lease was up here, I would be able to bring her out here. I flew home this past May for my son's graduation and was able to spend a few days with ALley then. i was afriad she wouldn't remember me, but the minute I called her she came running and sat in my lap for a solid hour purring and loving. That night, she was in bed waiting to snuggle with me while I slept. I have to admit, leaving her was much harder than saying goodbye to my parents and my son. I worried about her so much and sent her little treats once in a while.
Two weeks ago now, I found out she was sick. They said she was losing a lot of weight and acting a bit sluggish. She was still eating and catching mice so we didn't think it was serious and I had them make her a vet appt. They took her in last Thursday, the 7th of Dec. That afternoon, I got the call. Alley had Cytauxzoonosis, a semi-rare blood parasite, that was 95% fatal, and that usually, the cat is dead within 2 weeks of symptoms starting. Alley was down to 5 1/2 pounds and her red blood count was 7 out of 30 something. Even with a blood transfusion, they felt she was too weak to even survive an attempt at treatment, and that after all that, she was going to die anyways. There is no vaccine and no effective treatment for this disease. The few cats who do survive it, seem to be just out of luck and will always carry it.
I was in shock and couldn't believe she was really going to die. I asked my mom to take her home for a few days, and to wait until she "got bad" before taking her back to be euthanized. I just couldn't part with her that soon. Until, the next day, I did some online research. I found 2 different articles that described what a "horrible and painful death" this was for a cat. I freaked out. NO WAY was I going to let my baby girl suffer like that. I asked them to take her in the next day, and at 10:00 Saturday, December 9th, my baby was gone. It was the hardest decisions I ever made, but it was not nearly as terrifying as the thought of my little tyrant suffering such pain. I had to prevent that, no matter what.
The day I found out, I overnighted her some treats that she loved and hope she knew they were from me. I called the morning before they took her in and told her how much mama loved her and how sorry I was that I let this happen to her.
Now you know, the guilt I feel. IF only I'd brought her here, tried to hide her from the landlord, she wouldn't have been outside and got the disease. She would be here with me alive and well. So its my fault my baby is gone. I left her there. I left her there to die. I should have tried harder to get her here, I should have done something. I will never forgive myself for killing my baby girl. My heart is broken and its all my fault. I miss her so much and the worst part, is knowing I could have prevented it somehow. And the fact that, before she died, all I could do was hear her little meow over the phone. I didn't get to hold her and touch her soft fur.
She is buried in the yard at my mom's, under a flower bush she always liked to sleep under.
I miss her so much. I'm so sorry Alley. I love you so much. Please forgive me for leaving you.
It has been exactly one week today. I hope she's not scared and lost, like I am.
Paula
And Alley is right there with you at this very moment and will never, ever leave you. She's there, just like I said and only a breath away. Please turn up your volume and click on your most cherished beloved baby girl Alley then you will know that all I say is so! Hugs!!
Well, you'll understand why I chose to say that quote after you see this awesome video. It truly is amazing and astounding! Cute as all get out, too!