Friday, March 29, 2024
cat photographscatsfoster catsfostering petsfrankie's friendsLakotapet loss

Daily Photo: Good Night, Sweet Prince

siamese cat reflecting
Lakota Reflecting (literally, in the mirror)

And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!

Shakespeare, Hamlet, 5, 2

. . . . . . .

He really did not recover and despite all the measures would not eat again; ironically his original person contacted me the day I knew his end would be near and I’d decided to contact her. We found a time and place to meet last night as he rallied enough to look at her and be petted and she told me stories of his life, then the drive in the dark to the Frankie’s Friends/HCMT clinic north of Pittsburgh. So many thanks to Dr. Morrow’s generosity in accommodating the timing and Lindsay Joyce for meeting me so late and your comforting presence. The last time I held him, his eyes would not even open but he put his head against my chest and purred, and his big soft mitten paws gently kneaded the air. He went easily, it was right.

Thank you so much to our extended family of felines and humans in Verona, Ontario for putting a candle in your window to guide Lakota.

And thanks to everyone who sent wishes, purrs, barks, good thoughts, energy and love in the time he’s been with us, and especially this past week.

This year when I speak about “The Joy of Pets” at the Pet Memorial Day ceremony, I’ll have a story for all those present.

Thanks for sharing my life for the six weeks you were with me, Lakota. I enjoyed every minute, and I’m sure you did too.

siamesse cat
Happily disturbing the peace on my work table, just a little over a week ago.

“To love that well, which thou must leave ‘ere long.”

Shakespeare, Sonnet 73

. . . . . . .

Click here to read about Lakota.


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.


Subscribe to The Creative Cat on your Kindle

Start with a 14-day free trial. You can cancel at any time during the free trial period. If you enjoy your subscription, do nothing and it will automatically continue at the regular monthly price of 99 cents. Click here to subscribe to The Creative Cat on your Kindle.


© 2013 | www.TheCreativeCat.net | Published by Bernadette E. Kazmarski
FACEBOOK | TWITTER | LINKEDIN | ETSY SHOP | PINTEREST

HOME

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.

36 thoughts on “Daily Photo: Good Night, Sweet Prince

  • Pingback: Observing Anniversaries ~ The Creative Cat

  • Pingback: The Creative Cat - Loving Care for Your Senior Cat

  • Sorry I missed this when it was originally posted. Lakota was a lucky boy to have you to spend his last days with. You’re an angel. xo

    Reply
    • Vicki, don’t worry, I was a little preoccupied anyway. I’m so glad I had a chance to spend that time with him.

      Reply
  • We know we’ve been a bit AWOL this past month as mom battles her neck injury & pain management, but we’ve been watching Lakota’s progress, and we are so very thankful he had his last two months with you. That photo of him ‘disturbing your work’ makes us think of how Maxwell might look in his golden years. And he’s obviously so very happy there. Such a sweet elderly boy who – we know – left a Lakota-sized hole in many hearts, he will be missed.

    Reply
    • Guys, that’s exceptionally sweet–and I did go to take a few extra looks at Maxwell to see what Lakota may have looked like in his youth. Hope your mom gets well–I’ve been a bit AWOL with this and a few other things too but I’ll be catching up as well.

      Reply
  • You are truly an angel, Bernadette. How wonderful that Lakota had your love, support, and comfort during his last days. Blessings to him and all the beloved creatures of this earth.

    Reply
    • Thank you, Deb, and I wish the same for all the creatures on earth, would that we could do that for all of them.

      Reply
  • Oh Miss Bernadette. I am so sorry to read about sweet Dakota’s passing to the Bridge. How precious the moment that when he passed he had your loving hands on him. Puurrrs to you, Savannah

    Reply
    • Thank you, Savannah, it’s a moment I won’t forget.

      Reply
  • “Soul relationships may last five minutes, a day, a decade, or more. Relationships aren’t measured in time but in lessons learned.” said Brian Weiss, it came to mind just when I read the title of the post ank knew he had left. Love and compasion are main lessons, he was lucky to find you.

    Reply
    • Maru you are exactly right with that quote, and I was lucky to know him.

      Reply
  • I’m so sorry, Bernadette. There’s a special place in heaven for people like you. Lakota may have had a rough life, but for the last few weeks of it, he knew he was loved, and he was able to die in peace. What a gift you gave him.

    Reply
    • Thank you, Ingrid. I think there’s a special place in heaven for kitties like Lakota, and it was my joy to know him and help him on his way.

      Reply
  • He’s Safe Home now. Well Done, Bernadette. At least his last few weeks were in safe n loving hands.
    Thinking of you, though. It still hurts your heart, even when you know it’s the right thing to do. xxx

    Reply
    • Annie, there was never a doubt in me, especially as I think back on it all, and I think I as just a safe way for him to get to heaven.

      Reply
  • How sad he’s gone so soon. Sweet peace, Lakota.

    Reply
    • Rumpydog, it’s hard to believe, but we won’t forget him too quickly. Thanks for the good wishes.

      Reply
  • Debbie Blackburn

    Thanks for sharing your love with Lakota.

    Reply
  • Oh, B, I’m so sorry – he was such a handsome boy. Thank you for being an earth angel to sweet Lakota.

    Reply
    • Chris, how generous of you, just losing Star–perhaps they are up there together looking down on us

      Reply
  • We’re so sorry, Bernadette. Thank you for being such a good guardian for Lakota for the short time you had together. He was fortunate to have you.there for him — and with him — to the last.

    Reply
    • Hey, Gang, thanks for stopping by–I was fortunate to have had even just this little bit of time with him.

      Reply
  • It always makes us smile when we know a kittie’s final days
    are spent in a place of safety and love.
    As Lakota made a difference in your heart, we know you made a big difference in his life too.
    Purrs and Headbumps 🙂
    Purrs Tillie and Georgia,
    Treasure,Tiger, JJ and Julie

    Reply
    • Tillie and Georgia, I was so glad to be able to do this for him, especially when I discovered how brief his time was.

      Reply
  • Bernadette, thank you for taking care of Lakota and his friend. You gave Lakota peace and love for his last days. That is such a wonderful gift. And thanks, also, for your caring reminders to us about older cats.

    Reply
  • I’m so glad Lakota’s last weeks were with you, safe and loved, not alone in a shelter cage! To pass from this world with dignity and held by caring arms is something we can all hope for. Bless you.

    Reply
    • Cat’s Cats, we can’t do it for all the cats and living creatures in the world, but we can do it for even just one, and we should.

      Reply
  • I am sorry, Bernadette. God bless you and Lakota. I know we’ll all catch up with you one day, Lakota. Until then, Peace.

    Reply
    • Lynda, you’re so right–we all end up there. I didn’t get to paint him while he was with me, but I have lots of photos and we’ve not seen the last of him.

      Reply
  • I’m sorry, Bernadette, but it sounds like he went out peacefully and with dignity, as befitting a prince. Bless you for giving him exactly what he needed these last six weeks.

    Reply
    • Tammy, because we knew our time was limited we cut out a lot of the cautious getting-to-know-you stuff and just got right to enjoying each others’ company. Though it was a loss, it was done well.

      Reply
  • da tabbies o trout towne

    God’s speed to you Lakota; ewe R…were…N all ways will bee…loved..

    God’s blessings two ewe Bernadette; we knead knot tell ewe this waz knot good bye…merely; until we meet again at heaven’s door

    N we hope ewe know if Lakota could… speek… he would say thanx mom B, for everee thing….and eye love ….ewe……two

    XOXOXOXO

    =^–^=

    Reply
    • Tabbies, Lakota let me know with every look and every action. And St. Francis followed us all over. Thanks for all your love and support for us.

      Reply

Leave a Reply

%d bloggers like this:
Verified by ExactMetrics