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Title: Polly 1993± - 2010 Post by: Tokira on 13-Sep-10, 08:59:07 PM Polly 1993?-2010
Background: In April 1996, a house in Northern Virginia was entered by the Sheriff's Department, Animal Care and Control, and a local Vet. Six cats were euthanized on the spot, and 102 emaciated and shell-shocked cats were taken to the county Shelter. Most were later euthanized, unfortunately. In December 1996, after a house fire in which our two cats were asphyxiated, while picking up their ashes at the Vet's, I was introduced to #5 and #6, a bonded pair, who had been named Bart and Polly, both congenitally deaf, who had been living at the clinic. It was thought that they were probably two to three years old at that time. Shortly after their seizure/liberation, their three kittens were born. Polly became extremely ill and was unable to care for the kittens, but Bart took over their care. Polly was so ill that permission was given to euthanize her, but after a miraculous recovery with the help of a strange little old herb lady, at the eleventh hour, she survived to care for the two remaining kittens, who stayed on with the Vet. I was fortunate to adopt Bart and Polly in April 1997. We lost Bart in October 2008, and Polly did better than I expected she would without her other half. However, over the past year, she had become quite “elderly”. Hard to evaluate, as she’d always been VERY quirky. Deliberately naughty, openly contemptuous of other cats, very outgoing and affectionate with all people, rude and snappish with the other cats, persistent about scratching the furniture, even the leather that “cats don’t scratch”. Probably a Tourette’s Syndrome sufferer, definitely pestered by Greeblingz. She’s had her ups and downs, sometimes not wanting to eat for a few days, other times “normal” (for her of course). About a week ago, she just didn’t want to eat anything, was sleeping more than usual, and losing weight. Bearing in mind that this was a cat who considered any type of examination or treatment to be flat out attempted murder, and dealt with accordingly, we’d made the decision to let her be comfortable and safe, at 16 plus, but no assaults unless intervention became necessary. I believe she had a small stroke last week, as she was developing ataxia. Saturday morning, she slept in the sunny spot under the window that overlooks Bart’s final resting place, and never woke up. She rests now beneath a new little Japanese Maple, next to her beloved Bart. She was preceded in death by her daughter Pipper, son Brogan, and Bart. She was the last known survivor of that horrible situation in 1996. Life will not be the same without my naughty little P. :crying: Carol Title: Re: Polly 1993± - 2010 Post by: MAK on 13-Sep-10, 09:07:31 PM I'm very sorry for your loss Carol. She is a beautiful cat! :(
Title: Re: Polly 1993± - 2010 Post by: Carol P. on 13-Sep-10, 09:17:56 PM So sorry for your loss Carol. :(
Title: Re: Polly 1993± - 2010 Post by: Donna on 13-Sep-10, 09:22:08 PM :( Wow, what a wonderful (crazy) life Polly had. Carol, your so lucky to have her and she you. Bless her and you for being so caring. She's a very pretty girl.
Title: Re: Polly 1993± - 2010 Post by: jeanne on 13-Sep-10, 09:43:44 PM Carol, I have tears in my eyes as I read this precious story about Polly.I am so sorry for your loss. How lucky you were-- both of you- to have each other. What a beauty she was. May she and Bart be together again. :heart:
Title: Re: Polly 1993± - 2010 Post by: Kris G. on 13-Sep-10, 10:24:50 PM She was beautiful, Carol. I'm so sorry for your loss. :(
Title: Re: Polly 1993± - 2010 Post by: Nic1Pic on 13-Sep-10, 10:40:55 PM Very sorry for you. She had a good life because of you. Nicole
Title: Re: Polly 1993± - 2010 Post by: NoraH on 13-Sep-10, 11:48:40 PM I'm so sorry Carol, she's gorgeous. You gave them both a great life after what they went through. Nora in IA
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w40/CountryLass_photos/A-huggles.gif) Title: Re: Polly 1993± - 2010 Post by: rssport on 14-Sep-10, 12:55:06 AM So sorry for your loss, Carol
Rita Title: Re: Polly 1993± - 2010 Post by: valhalla on 14-Sep-10, 05:25:28 AM Carol, you know that we feel your loss and words aren't going to cut it, but that is all we have. I'm so sorry that Polly is no longer with you, but I rejoyce in her being reunited with her beloved Bart. :angel: Heaven is full of angels, and some of them are angels like your Bart and Polly. :angel:
God Bless, Janet & Rich Title: Re: Polly 1993± - 2010 Post by: anneintoronto on 16-Sep-10, 09:47:02 PM Carol -- I'm so sorry that your Polly has died. What an amazing life she had, thanks, in good part, to you (and of course, that strange little old herb lady! She sounds like a story in herself!)! To help one little, somewhat broken life become whole is a real compliment to your caring. She sounds like she was a real character -- can't help but love the quirky nature of a cat like that!! Thank you for making this world a more loving place, one cat at a time! I hope you find joy in your memories!
*hugs* Anne in Toronto Title: Re: Polly 1993± - 2010 Post by: Bird Crazy on 19-Sep-10, 11:23:29 AM Carol I am so sorry for your loss. Polly was gorgeous. She is once again with Bart and they will both wait for you. Take comfort in the fact you gave her a good life after her horrible start, and let her pass with dignity.
Title: Re: Polly 1993± - 2010 Post by: Tokira on 19-Sep-10, 08:39:30 PM I hope you all have some idea how much your kind words have helped line the hole in my heart that Miss Polly left.
They were a single entity, Bart&Polly, and my mission when I took them on was to see that they would never again have to face an empty bowl, or the lack of a clean bed and LOVE. They gave back so much more... Gratefully, Carol |