Thursday, March 28, 2024
black catscatsfoster catsKennedy

Daily Photo: Freedom

Watching the rain.
Watching the rain.

Which black cat is that? No, you’re wrong, it’s Kennedy looking out the side window at the rain and the birds at the feeder!

This post is quite different from the one I began last night, celebrating Kennedy’s new-found mobility in that I turned around in the kitchen in the morning to see an extra black cat—and he’d jumped the baby gate and come down the stairs! He spent most of Sunday exploring the house, and a good bit of Monday too. As I was writing this post, he had a seizure, the first since the day after he’d come here, then he looked as if he’d seize again so I took him to the emergency hospital. They began to look for a cause and held him overnight, then this morning he went to the neurologist section at the same hospital and we planned some tests, and then he had another seizure. Already he hadn’t been eating, he’d lost a pound in a month, a lot for a cat originally only 8.3 pounds.

I was about to change the title to “A Change of Plans”, but I think “Freedom” is still appropriate. It’s his final freedom, from the pain and deprivation he’s obviously suffered. I’m so glad I could fill the last of his time with love and caring and share him with other compassionate people. Thanks everyone for your contributions, your positive thoughts and your encouragement. They were certainly not in vain.

Looking out i the street.
Looking out i the street.

Last weekend I really thought I might lose him, then this past weekend he’s a new cat. In all the time he’s been here he’s never even considered climbing over the baby gate, or he could easily have done so. I open the door to his room but leave the baby gate in place each day. Sunday morning I was preparing their breakfast when I saw a black cat nosing around in the corner. A storm was coming so it was quite dark in the room. Giuseppe will sometimes do this when he hears a noise in that corner where I think mice may still reside, but calling his name got no response, and then he turned and he was…Kennedy! In the kitchen! What the—?!

Out the window.
Out the window.

He went cruising off toward the living room/office, I fed breakfast and went to explore. I found him at the top of the steps. I had been so concerned about those steps in all his wanderings because he seemed so unsteady. But he quickly climbed back over the baby gate and went off to explore again.

Kennedy at front door.
Kennedy at front door.

The cats can step from the landing to the cat tree, to the table in front of the window, and Kennedy figured that out easily. He also looked out both doors. I was concerned about him getting lost or stuck somewhere in my basement, so I blocked the door. A few minutes later they had gotten through and he was at the foot of the stairs exploring.

After last week’s barrage of treatments, standard and alternative, he’s really changed. He had a course of prednisolone, two reiki treatments, three acupuncture treatments and Dr. Michelle prescribed a Chinese herb supplement that, after he began it, totally changed the way he moved around.

The sweetest thing was Sunday evening when I’d been working in my studio for hours and went to lie down on my bed to rest my back for a while. He followed me in there, as he follows me everywhere, and looked at me with that round-eyed stare from the floor, then came over and jumped up on the bed. My bed is a high bed, an antique reproduction, taller than standard, so that feat of jumping up was no small accomplishment. Then he found me and walked around on me as he’d never been able to before, and that made him really happy.

But the best part was next. Giuseppe was on the bed and he and I had been having a little session. He had stepped back when Kennedy jumped up and watched. Giuseppe has a good bit of ego happening, and that’s why I call him my opera star, the male diva, and he doesn’t like to share me sometimes even with his siblings. But he has been deferent to Kennedy and the two have hissed at each other but Giuseppe has seemed to pursue a relationship with Kennedy, as the other day in Impostor! That was one of many little instances between the two.

Kennedy saw Giuseppe, stepped down off of me and walked over to him, then bowed his head down, and Giuseppe gave him a few licks on the forehead, then a few more. Then Kennedy licked him and the two had a little grooming session for some seconds. Soon enough Kennedy was off to more exploring since he’d never been on the bed before. I gave Giuseppe lots of praise and pets for that, and he was very receptive. They are just as important in my role as a rescuer as me.

I have known Kennedy’s time was limited, and I had the feeling this was coming, especially when he quit eating again, even with prednisolone, and his favorite foods. Last night he kept coming to me at my computer downstairs and meowing, then going back upstairs. He wanted that time upstairs in the studio. I didn’t make it up until later.

I am going to pick him up from the emergency hospital now, to bring him back for one more night. My veterinarian will come here tomorrow morning to put him to sleep. Send some loving energy for his journey.

See ya later, Buddy.

black cat
“I am here.”

Click here to vote for TheCreativeCat.net in the Petties.

Best Cat Blog

Best Blog Post

Best Video Post

Petties 2014
Petties 2014

Read more about the Petties in this post.


Browse some rescued cats and kittens!

BaxterBailey-icon


All images used on this site are copyrighted to Bernadette E. Kazmarski unless otherwise noted and may not be used without my written permission. Please ask if you are interested in using one in a print or internet publication. If you are interested in purchasing a print of this image or a product including this image, check my Etsy shop or Fine Art America profile to see if I have it available already. If you don’t find it there, visit Ordering Custom Artwork for more information on a custom greeting card, print or other item.


Inspired by felines you know! Visit Portraits of Animals on Etsy.

Bernadette

From health and welfare to rescue and adoption stories, advocacy and art, factual articles and fictional stories, "The Creative Cat" offers both visual and verbal education and entertainment about cats for people who love cats, pets and animals of all species.

28 thoughts on “Daily Photo: Freedom

  • Time for me to share one of my favorite passages, because it’s been on my mind for Kelly, whose anniversary of passing is August 11, and Kennedy..and Lakota and Emeraude, from “The Velveteen Rabbit” by Marjory Williams:

    He thought of the Skin Horse, so wise and gentle, and all that he had told him. Of what use was it to be loved and lose one’s beauty and become Real if it all ended like this? And a tear, a real tear, trickled down his little shabby velvet nose and fell to the ground.

    And then a strange thing happened. For where the tear had fallen a flower grew out of the ground, a mysterious flower, not at all like any that grew in the garden. It had slender green leaves the colour of emeralds, and in the centre of the leaves a blossom like a golden cup. It was so beautiful that the little Rabbit forgot to cry, and just lay there watching it. And presently the blossom opened, and out of it there stepped a fairy.

    She was quite the loveliest fairy in the whole world. Her dress was of pearl and dew-drops, and there were flowers round her neck and in her hair, and her face was like the most perfect flower of all. And she came close to the little Rabbit and gathered him up in her arms and kissed him on his velveteen nose that was all damp from crying.

    “Little Rabbit,” she said, “don’t you know who I am?”

    The Rabbit looked up at her, and it seemed to him that he had seen her face before, but he couldn’t think where.

    “I am the nursery magic Fairy,” she said. “I take care of all the playthings that the children have loved. When they are old and worn out and the children don’t need them any more, then I come and take them away with me and turn them into Real.”

    “Wasn’t I Real before?” asked the little Rabbit.

    “You were Real to the Boy,” the Fairy said, “because he loved you. Now you shall be Real to every one.”

    And she held the little Rabbit close in her arms and flew with him into the wood.

    Reply
  • So glad you will have those memories of him and that he had that last bit of excitement and exploration…sending calming thoughts your way and wishes to Kennedy for his release from pain…

    Reply
    • Sued51, we are good here, we knew how much pain he was in. He’s far away from it now.

      Reply
  • He has had a fine time at your home and those days exploring the house were a wonderful time for him, I’m sure.
    Purrs for all of you. He will follow a path of light.

    Reply
    • Thank you, Maru–he truly did, he found what he needed and left in peace.

      Reply
  • and St Francis said, “Come little one, there is nothing more I can do for you here, don’t be afraid”……and St Francis gently picked up Kennedy and carried him into the kingdom of heaven…..when the little cat looked around, he realized everything St Francis told him on his journey was true….heaven was beautiful beyond what mere words could express…..

    Kennedy saw there was no pain, suffering, fear, sickness, hunger, thirst or sorrow, until he looked down and saw the family and friends he had left behind. ……and for a very brief moment, the little cat too, was filled with sorrow.

    Then St Francis bestowed Kennedy with a set of gossamer wings and said, “Use them to return to your family, when their need is the greatest, as nothing can separate your bond of love. Hold each other in your hearts and your memories, until you are reunited again at heaven’s door.”

    and when the little cat tried on his wings, he knew nothing was impossible…… when there is….love

    God’s speed to you Kennedy with love from Boomer, Dai$y, Tuna…..and Dude and Sauce too…while we were not privileged to know you longer; you will never be forgotten buddy…you rock…you always will ♥♥♥♥♥

    I am truly sorry Bernadette; his time with you was to short; but in that short amount of time he knew compassion, friendship and love and Kennedy
    will leave this earth knowing there WERE people who truly cared….while you’ve seen this verse before, I hope it brings a small amount of comfort

    Laura

    Reply
    • Maureen Chatwin

      Thanks for this Tabby

      Reply
    • Thank you, Laura, I needed another little cry, that has always been so touching. In a world where he was forsaken, I am honored to be the one chosen to restore his faith and receive his big love. He was overflowing with it, and he had no doubt how I felt about him. However he ended up alone, injured and hurting I hope I helped to heal that, and I know he was only here long enough for that to happen. But he’ll be with us much longer than that.

      Reply
  • Karen Lucas

    Oh Kennedy, as I read this you may already be on your way to the Bridge. So very grateful that you knew love and kindness and kisses from Giuseppe and Bernadette and since you kitties always live in the moment your last days were full of that love and enjoyment of where you were and so you go forward from that true joy to wait at the Bridge for everyone who came to love you. And we weep because you did not have more time.

    Reply
    • Karen, how sweet–he was truly in the moment, from the moment he landed here he left as much of his past behind him and knew he was part of our family, and always will be.

      Reply
  • Oh, Gosh! I can’t stop crying. It’s the only post of yours, Bernadette, that I almost couldn’t read. Poor, sweet Kennedy had such a tough time and he’d finally found love – all too late! But, better late than never! He touched my heart all the way over the vast Pacific Ocean – sweet, sweet, brave boy! Kennedy was my focus after losing my dear house panther, Dee Dee. Perhaps they will meet in cat heaven. Thank-you for giving me the chance to know Kennedy – and the chance to bid for the beautiful sketch of him. You and Margo are angels. Goodbye dear Kennedy. Dani xoxoxox

    Reply
    • Dani, I’m sure Kennedy and Dee Dee met as soon as he arrived. Thanks so much just for caring–I know he felt the love of all the people who followed him and he will never forget you or anyone else. And you’ll have his sketch there to remember him and that time.

      Reply
  • I’m so sorry to hear that Kennedy’s journey is coming to an end. He sure is one lucky boy to have had the chance to spend his final days with you. Gentle journey, sweet boy.

    Reply
    • Ingrid, thank you for being part of creating Kennedy’s best week. I am lucky to have known such a soul as him.

      Reply
  • Sending loving energy to you both–

    Reply
  • Anne Slevin

    I want to echo everything that Angel AbbyGrace just stated. I write this through tears as I have my senior gal right next to me on the bed. I wish I could be as brave. There should always be more time but it seems not to be. Kennedy was exactly where he was meant to be Bernadette, with you and your close knit community of loving and caring friends. I will try to muster up all the loving energy I have for Kennedy so his journey will be on the wings of angels…

    Reply
    • Anne, his journey was so peaceful that I knew he was really ready I think he’d been holding it off for a while and was grateful to let go. An dI am grateful for all the others in the rescue group and all those I know who understand the importance of this.

      Reply
  • I have been reading your blog for a few weeks. I am owned by two wonderful black cats and one beautiful brown cat

    Kennedy has had the chance to live the life he was meant to live. He will leave us with the dignity and respect that all cats deserve. I am in awe of you.

    Reply
    • Thank you so much, Diane. I just set the stage where they can be who they are. When they’re happy, even if they can barely walk, they are so much fun and so full of love.

      Reply
  • Thank you for taking care of Kennedy and showing him that he was loved. I’m glad I got to visit with him last night, and glad I went with you this evening to bring him home. Sending love to you and Kennedy.

    Reply
    • Margo, thanks for helping care for him and for the good laugh on the way to PVSEC–I really needed it. Most of all, thanks for answering the call, literally, and going to get him.

      Reply
  • We’re glad that Kennedy had a couple good days before he had to go. What unexpected memories you’ll always have of him out and about in the house before. We’re sending purrs to Kennedy and to you.

    Reply
    • Hey, Gang, I’m so happy he made the move over the gate. I have enough photos to last a lifetime.

      Reply
  • I’m so happy Kennedy had one good day to explore and visit before saying goodbye. They seem to know when their time has come and make a special effort to spend time with the people who love them before they go.

    Reply
    • Vicki, it was as if he tried to fit everything he wouldn’t get to do into two days. I’m so happy he felt so comfortable here.

      Reply
  • Knowing a thing AND really knowing are two different things on two different levels. While I’m worried over my big gray tabby boy reading about Kennedy is hard. Sad to say goodbye so soon, knowing, always knowing that this day was coming. I know it will release him back to the Spirits and he will be restored to good health and youth. Thankful I know he is that in the past weeks he has been shown a soft bed, food to fill his belly and a warm heart…or many hearts that fell in love with him. It was enough because it has to be. Farewell sweet boy see you again one day down the road.

    Reply
    • Thank you, Angel AbbyGrace. He’s gone off to meet your girls and live without that battered body. He held on until he found a home again, that he could leave from. Hope you and Jinx have many more years together though!

      Reply

Leave a Reply

%d bloggers like this:
Verified by ExactMetrics