Nixon came to me with his sister Madison back in October 1997. At the time, I was living on my own, and in need of some type of kitty company since I grew up with 7 kitties at home.

We were told they were born in July, 1997, and I couldn't wait to take them home. Throughout their kittenhood, they were such great kitties, with two distinct personalities. Madison was my pretty princess, who was so concerned about her appearence, I swore she took a bath every minute. She was a long haired tiger tabby who must have been part maine-coon. She was a beautiful cat. On March 20th, 2003, I arrived home from work and was only greeted by Nixon, her brother. As the night wore on, I still hadn't seen her, and finally went searching. I found her underneath our bed. She was breathing heavy, and when I went to go touch her, she meowed. I knew something was wrong right away, because Madison was mainly a mute, she would open her mouth and a squeek, or more likely nothing would come out. My boyfriend raced into the room, and had to pick up our bed, so that I could get her out. I held her in my arms, and her breathing was so hard, and deep, we had no choice but to take her to an emergency vets about 2 miles from where we lived.

Once there, they couldn't tell me exactly what was wrong, and needed to keep her there over night. Over the next few days, I talked several times a day with her kitty doctor as well as spending some time with her there. At first, they told me that she might be diabetic, and that I would have to give her shots everyday. I was completely fine with this.

On March 23rd, I received a call from her doctor saying that she wasn't repsonding to the *i believe* plasma treatments they were doing and she wanted to operate to see what exactly the problem was. I asked how much that would be and she quoted me $2,000. Since we were close to the hospital, my boyfriend and I went to go see her. When we arrived, they brought her into our normal visiting room, and she curled up on my lap and looked at me. I told her she was my pretty princess and that we were going to get her better. She then crawled over to my boyfriend, and held his hand, which she always did, because she was daddy's little girl. She then started breathing heavy, and the doctor took her back to the pure Oxogen tank. An hour later, the doctor sat me down and told me that she wasn't getting any better, and that she wouldn't be able to operate, as Madison wouldn't have made it. She wanted to put her to sleep, and I just couldn't bring myself to do that. After crying and hugging my boyfriend, i finally agreed to do so, and the doctor took me back to say goodbye to her. As I'm petting her and telling her how much mommy loves her, her heart took it's last beat, and she passed away. I held on to her for a good 20 minutes, just crying and rocking her. It was the first time I ever lost one of my pets.

The doctors told us that it was her heart, and that her lungs and stomach were filling up with fluid. They also recommended that we have Nixon checked out as they were from the same litter.

A few weeks later we did just that, and we were told that Nixon had cardiomyopathy, and was lucky to live 6 months. I quickly got a second opinion, and his new vet told us that he did hear a heart murmur but it was nothing to be concerned about.

Nixon didn't handle Madison's death very well at all, since he had no idea on how to be alone. It took us some time, but we were able to find him a new baby sister. Her name is Kennedy, and she loved her big brother with all her heart.

Two weeks ago today, I left for vacation, closing the door behind me after telling Kennedy and Nixon that Mommy loved them. I arrived home on August 15th, to find Nixon had passed away that day. I was devastated. He was my baby boy, the one that cuddled with me, the one that curled up under the covers to cuddle but would quickly stick his head out if you asked him what Mommy's rule was.

We had an autopsy performed on Nixon and were told that he passed away from an aneurysm or a heart attack. Dr. Dom said that there was a vessel that had some blood around it, and that he's only ever seen this type of thing in a St. Bernard. Nixon was a 17 pound tiger kitty, and he was in perfect health. It was just his time to go, and Madison was waiting for him.

So to Nixon & Madison, up there in kitty heaven, I hope you're running, playing, poucing, rough housing, and giving each other baths like you always did. You'll be missed! Mommy loves you!

**To see pictures of Nixon, just follow the link**

http://irrationalthoughts.com/photoGallery...ils.php?album=4

Aww they sound adorable, im so sorry.
I lost my world my baby Victor on fiday he got hit by a car
i miss him so much and want him here right now.
Jaymie x

I am very sorry to hear about Nixon. I am sure he is up there in Heaven/at Rainbow Bridge playing with his sister, Madison, and all of our babies too. The website is great. You have some wonderful photos of Nixon! I hope Kennedy is doing okay! Those names and the idea for the names -- so cute, neat!
Marcia
Baby Hannah's Mom and Babe's Mom

Hi Nixon & Madison's Mom:

I am soooooo sorry for the loss of your sweet little furkitty, Madison, on 3/23/2003. And also, for the recent passing
of your precious, beloved Nixon -- just 17 days ago.

Thank you for sharing Nixon's beautiful photos ---- It's very, very easy to see just how much your baby Nixon
was loved, and I am quite sure that Madison was as well.

Now, there are the 3 of you....? You, your boyfriend and Kennedy??
In your 4th paragraph, 4th sentence, you said that losing your beloved Madison was "the first time you had ever
lost one of your pets???"
I am sorry, because I remember what that 'first time' feels like.

Though Madison & Nixon's lives on this Earth were +/- "6 & 7" years, which, for furkitties, is on the "short side";
I am happy that they both had one another......as brother & sister ,
and, that the both of them had a wonderful, loving and very caring mommy,such as yourself!!

I am sure that Madison was right there at the entrance gate to "Rainbow's Bridge", to meet her brother Nixon.
And, you can be sure that the both of them are "just perfect" right now --- There bodies are whole & complete;
perfect; just like when you remember them as kittens.

And, everything that you had "hoped they are doing"...........You can be 100% sure that they are!!!!

Of course, you will always miss them -- but, I'm sure that you have such wonderful memories of Nixon & Madison,
stored in your heart and your head....

Though they are not here "in body....", both of them WILL ALWAYS LIVE ON IN YOUR HEART!!!!

Luckily, that's the one thing that we will always have...... MEMORIES!!!!!

How is Kennedy doing??? And, "How are YOU doing???"

After having lost Madison on 3/23/2003, how did 'your healing process go?'
I have heard it said that "for every year that you own "a pet", it takes ONE MONTH FOR EACH YEAR, TO HEAL.

If, (and only if....really..), you are able to talk about Madison's loss, I would be interested in hearing
how your "journey of healing" went. If it is too painful for you right now --- really; I understand completely!!

On August 15, 2004, you come home from vacation, and find out the terribly sad news that your precious little boy,
Nixon, passed away on that day.
I am soooooo sorry.... What a horrible thing to come home from vacation and find out.

I wonder if the way you experienced the 1st few weeks after Madison was goneis similar to what you are going
through, and how you are feeling now???

I am always sad when somebody new comes onto this website, but, I always say that, "if you have lost a special
little one, and you needed to find a pet-grief site, then, Lightning Strike is the one to come to"....

Everyone here - are all absolutely wonderful, and to be very honest.....I'm not sure where I would be without
all the love, support, caring, true friendship, etc., etc......, that I have found here!

Please, keep writing as often as you would like to --- We are all here for you.

Know that I am thinking about you and you're in my prayers!!

Goodnight & God Bless!! Love, Denise

Dear Nixon and Madison's mom,

It must have been so difficult to go through what you've gone through. My heart goes out to you! Your photo album is wonderful--your Nixon and Madison were so beautiful! I hope that your healing is taking place and that your heart is not breaking as much as it was in the beginning. How hard it must have been for you..all of this must have been a terrible shock.
You are so right that Nixon and Madison have no doubt found eachother at the rainbow bridge and currently are playing and cavorting--chasing butterflies and perfectly whole. You will reunite with them again one day. Thank you for sharing your story and photos of your beautiful best friends.
Love,
Patti