Goodbye to Jezebel

Another reason that 2020 has been sad for us is the loss of our amazing Jezebel.  We knew this was coming, so it wasn't a shock, but saying goodbye is always hard.

Jezebel came to live with us in 2002, when she was already approaching one year of age. We never knew her exact date of birth, so we gave her  Iain's birthday in June of 2001.  It was because of her connection with Iain that she came to live with us: Iain had gone to the humane society to bring home a new kitten (Phantom) - they were giving us one in place of sweet Sage who had been unhealthy when we got him from them, and had died tragically when he was only about 6 months old - and when Iain was filling out the paperwork for him, Jezebel kept giving him headbonks and looking for attention.  So he came home with two cats instead of one.  And it was one of the best decisions he ever made.

Some cats are born to be queens of their household, and that was Jezebel.  She was beautiful, and had the softest fur of any cat I have ever known.  She had an aura of regalness about her, and yet she could behave like any other silly kitten when the mood struck her.

We were blessed to have her with us for 19 years.  For the last three years of her life she failed, gradually, due to her kidneys deteriorating.  Keeping her on a special diet (Royal Canin E Renal) made a huge difference in prolonging her life.  She didn't like pills, and we didn't force them on her, and I think it was the best choice.  The picture below was taken on the couch at the cottage.  She was not as comfortable sleeping in the last months; and doing a face-plant like this was one way she coped.

We still have two cats in our small house, but the place is feeling very empty.  She was my lap-cat, and liked to sleep next to me most nights.  We didn't need an alarm clock with her in the house, as she would wake us up as soon as the automatic lights came on downstairs.  Profoundly deaf for the last two years, she never forgot how her meow would make her presence known. I think she could still hear just a bit, as she would go into the bathroom (good acoustics there) and yowl at the top of her lungs.

I miss that, and I miss her, very much.  Good memories, though.  Love you, girl.