Conference misery::feline_v1

2874.0. "Kayleigh" by SUBURB::ODONNELLJ () Tue Sep 19 1989 19:48

    Today, 19th September, would have been Kayleigh's first birthday.
    I would like to share a few of my memories of her with you as a
    sort of tribute to our special cat.
    
    Kayleigh came into our household shortly before last Christmas.
    My mother told my little sister (who was 11 at the time) that she
    could have a cat - which sort would she like? She said she wanted
    a black, fluffy kitten. We thought she'd be lucky to get a kitten
    at all at that time of the year, but my Aunt rang the next day to
    say that a lady she knew had a black kitten - would we like her?
    
    We collected the kitten that night - she fought all the way home
    in the box, but as soon as we got her in, she seemed quite happy
    exploring. My sister named her Kayleigh after her favourite pop
    song.
    Kayleigh was no angel! She climbed the Christmas tree (and toppled
    it over!) so many times that we gave up decorating it. Anyone who
    has tried to hang up decorations with a kitten around will know
    exactly the kind of fun we had trying to do it! On one occasion,
    while we were preparing Sunday dinner, I was called to the phone
    and Mum had to answer the door. We came back to find Kayleigh lying
    on top of the chicken, licking it lovingly!
    The day before she was due to be spayed, she came on heat for the
    first time. We phoned the Vet and were advised to either cancel
    the operation (my Mum said she didn't want to have to go through
    starving her again), to invite a Tom in for the night (my Mum refused
    to entertain this idea on the grounds of immorality), or we could
    'take her temperature'. It was my Dad who was delegated the job
    of chasing a very reluctant pussycat around the room, thermometre
    in hand.
    The vet had advised us not to let her out until the summer because
    she was so small for her age. The vet maintained that Kayleigh would
    not be able to defend herself against the other cats. When we DID
    let her out, she proved herself well able to take care of herself
    - I can still see her sitting in the middle of the flowerbed next
    door, while their dog cowered behind the back door!
    Then there was the time when I was talking to one of our neighbours
    and we both watched as the unmistakable shape of our Kayleigh slunk
    up to his fishpond, took a well-practiced swipe and ran off with
    a large goldfish between her teeth! The embarrassment!!!
    Then, at the end of June, a close family friend, particularly to
    my mother, died in the most tragic circumstances. Mum was absolutely
    devestated. It was a terrible time for her and Kayleigh seemed to
    sense that something was wrong. She hardly left my Mum during that
    time. Even when she was playing outside, she didn't roam off as
    she usually did, and frequently came in to visit my Mum and sit
    on her lap. On one occasion, I looked in on Mum while she was asleep
    and saw Kayleigh lying by her pillow. This became a habit during
    that time - Kayleigh deserted her beloved igloo and slept on my
    mother's bed.
    You can imagine what a comfort she was to my mother.
    As Mum gradually began to get over it, Kayleigh drifted back into
    her old ways and we started to get back to normal.
    Then, on 25th September at 7am, a neighbour knocked the door, and
    asked if our cat had come in that night. Kayleigh had been chasing
    moths that night and, when my mother had tried to get her in, she'd
    refused to co-operate - she was having much too good a time!
    When our neighbour said he'd found a black cat in the road, we knew
    it was Kayleigh. We went out to make sure, but the lack of collar
    (the vet didn't believe in them) and the little white mark on her
    chest left us in no doubt at all. 
    Mum picked her up and we carried her in. Mum insisted on putting
    her on her bed and that was where she stayed all day. When my dad
    got in, he took her to the vet to be cremated.
    
    We've got another cat now, and that has helped to take the edge
    from the pain of losing Kayleigh, but we'll never forget her.

    
    That was a wonderful story!  Kayleigh would be gald you do remember
    her!  Your story brought tears to my eyes..thank you for sharing
    it w/ all of us..
    
    Louisa (mom of Chammie/Carmel)

That was a lovely tribute to Kayleigh.  I'm sure she's playing her heart out 
and busy keeping track of all the moths and goldfish where she is now.  Thank 
you for sharing that with us.

Jill

    I really enjoyed your story too.  Thanks for sharing it.
      Nancy DC

    ditto for me too.  It's hard to see through the tears.
    
    Sandi mom to THUNDER, LIGHTNING, STORM and DEJAVU too