We lost our little Carpet on January 25th. She was the second cat to leave us this month. When I first started doing TNR and taking care of the feral cats in my neighbourhood there seemed to be an endless stream of cats that needed help and kittens that needed rehoming. Now all of those kittens are 11, 12 or 13 years old and one by one they're reaching the end of their lives. It's a sad time, but I want to focus on all the joy that Carpet brought us.
She was just a tiny little dot the first time I saw her. Her mother had three litters before I was finally able to get her spayed and Carpet and her sisters were the second litter born. Her three sisters, Chicken, Twinkle and Sadie, were fairly big but Carpet was so small. She had a short, twisted tail and a slightly deformed jaw that means her teeth didn't align properly, but she was just adorable.
I was able to bring all the kittens indoors and started getting them proper vet care and plenty of good food. Carpet grew into a beautiful, long haired girl. Some of the feral kittens I took in was always a bit skittish, but Carpet was a total love bug. She'd stand up on her back legs and make these little squeaks when she wanted to be picked up, she loved nothing more that to be petted and groomed.
She stayed with us for nearly 12 years. In the past year she started to lose weight and our vet told us her kidneys were starting to fail. I hope the medication made her a bit more comfortable, even if it didn't buy her that much more time.
She started to lose her appetite a few weeks ago. At first she could be tempted with some of her favourite treats, but after a few days I had to resort to syringe feeding her. She tolerated this for a while, but then she stopped eating and drinking. I knew she was on her way out. We lost Albert to kidney failure on the 16th and I felt that I'd made a mistake with him. I should have asked the vet to help him pass on his last day, rather than asking for him to be given fluids. I didn't want Carpet to suffer, but she didn't seem to be in any distress at all.
I wrapped her in a blanket and put her on the sofa where she could enjoy the winter sun. Our other cats took turns at coming to lie next to her. Carpet gradually fell into a deeper and deeper sleep and then she was gone.
We've buried her next to her sister, Chicken, who left us a few years ago. My two sweet girls are together again.
Carpet, thank you for spending your whole life with me. You were a special little cat and I'm grateful for every moment we had together. Sleep peacefully darling. I'll take care of your sisters until they're ready to join you.
She was just a tiny little dot the first time I saw her. Her mother had three litters before I was finally able to get her spayed and Carpet and her sisters were the second litter born. Her three sisters, Chicken, Twinkle and Sadie, were fairly big but Carpet was so small. She had a short, twisted tail and a slightly deformed jaw that means her teeth didn't align properly, but she was just adorable.
I was able to bring all the kittens indoors and started getting them proper vet care and plenty of good food. Carpet grew into a beautiful, long haired girl. Some of the feral kittens I took in was always a bit skittish, but Carpet was a total love bug. She'd stand up on her back legs and make these little squeaks when she wanted to be picked up, she loved nothing more that to be petted and groomed.
She stayed with us for nearly 12 years. In the past year she started to lose weight and our vet told us her kidneys were starting to fail. I hope the medication made her a bit more comfortable, even if it didn't buy her that much more time.
She started to lose her appetite a few weeks ago. At first she could be tempted with some of her favourite treats, but after a few days I had to resort to syringe feeding her. She tolerated this for a while, but then she stopped eating and drinking. I knew she was on her way out. We lost Albert to kidney failure on the 16th and I felt that I'd made a mistake with him. I should have asked the vet to help him pass on his last day, rather than asking for him to be given fluids. I didn't want Carpet to suffer, but she didn't seem to be in any distress at all.
I wrapped her in a blanket and put her on the sofa where she could enjoy the winter sun. Our other cats took turns at coming to lie next to her. Carpet gradually fell into a deeper and deeper sleep and then she was gone.
We've buried her next to her sister, Chicken, who left us a few years ago. My two sweet girls are together again.
Carpet, thank you for spending your whole life with me. You were a special little cat and I'm grateful for every moment we had together. Sleep peacefully darling. I'll take care of your sisters until they're ready to join you.
I'm so sorry. 
