Some of you might remember me doing a blog post a few months ago about the outside cats that we feed in our driveway.  One of which was Ginger Kitty (my name for her)  Ginger Kitty was simply a pathetic waif.  

I have no idea what her origins were, except that last November or December she showed up in my driveway and proceeded to sleep in my garage for warmth every night until the cold weather disappeared.  She then slept just outside the garage in the driveway.  Although she kept getting thinner and thinner, she loved to eat!  Because she had no teeth, she was special and always got canned food, which was easier for her to eat.  Making her even more special was the fact she was totally deaf.  It was obvious from the first day she arrived that she was sick.  I'd been told not to get attached to the outside cats that so many of us on the island feed.........but I've not yet figured out how NOT to love.

She loved to be patted and purred up a storm when I'd do so.  She never interacted with the other cats, preferring to just lay there on her own.  But she seemed content.  And Ray and I loved her, as did anybody who came to visit.  She just had a special quality about her.  

Her breathing got worse last Friday and she also stopped eating and taking water.  Same thing on Saturday and we knew the end was near.  So Ray and I kept going outside to check on her and yesterday afternoon Ray came in to tell me she was gone.  She had managed to wobble her way (she was so weak at the end, she had difficulty walking) to the walkway leading to our front steps.  I don't think she suffered.  She certainly looked peaceful.  And this morning we will bury her on our property.

I'm glad we could do what we did for her these past 9 months or so.........but I feel very bad because she never had a "normal" loving life with a family in a home.  She'd always been a stray.  Not a nice way to live, being homeless, never knowing where your next meal is coming from, and little affection.  But I hope she knows how much we loved her and I also hope that people will please, PLEASE get their cats and dogs neutered and spayed!  Because no animal deserves to have such a sad life.

So rest in peace, my little Ginger Kitty........because you certainly deserve it!  You'll always be special in our hearts.

See you here next time....................