Loosing a loved one. Saying GoodBye to Our sweet Sneakette

Sneakette and her brothers were born in my home in Napa, Ca. in 1996. Unexpected, but dearly loved, Sneakette would enjoy the company of her family her entire life, which ended today, August 30, 2010. We believe that it is very important to allow family to stay together, and this includes our animals. As we have had so many cats and kittens through the years, we've noticed that they thrive together, always cuddle and sleep w/one another and seem to truly enjoy having family members close by. So it was (and is with the remaining 2) with the Sneakette family. Father Blackie, mother Sneakette and her 4 kittens lived together all their lives. Sneaker succumbed to lymphoma before our move to Kansas. But, she had 10 good years with her kittens and Blackie, the only male we could identify as being the father. Blackie, Sneakette, Boots and Muggs moved w/us. Unfortunately, Stevie lost his life shortly before our move; he was run over. We rarely allowed our cats to roam freely but, sadly, this one time was the one which ended his life. Muggs and Boots are still with us here in SE Kansas.

Sneakette was a shy girl. She was happiest in familiar, safe surroundings, rarely wandering very far. When her mother was alive, they spent ALL their time grooming one another, sleeping entertwined and always by each other. They were "one cat" we'd often say. After Sneaker's death, Sneakette became more an "inside" cat than ever, staying close to her brothers.

"Kathy, Kathy....wake up!  The kittens are about to be born!"   And so began the saga of Sneaker and the Sneakettes.  Four kittens born to a rescued semi feral mother who, in later years, learned to accept love, comfort and safety.  I woke immediately, ran into the living room where we had set up a 'birthing' kitty condo, and waited for the moment to arrive.  As usual, little Sneaker was cuddling with Lucky, our senior kitty of 20.  Sneaker always tried to crawl under Lucky for safety and comfort.  For some reason, she just knew that Lucky would be helpful and it did turn out that way.  We positioned Sneaker right next to Lucky.  When her contractions began, she crawled into Lucky's bed.  After a while and some coaxing, we were able to gently guide her back into her own big bed where, shortly, she gave birth to Stevie, Muggs, Boots and Sneakette.  We hadn't named them yet, but soon, their names became apparent.  We always do that; wait until we see the 'personality' of each cat/kitten emerge and then, the naming is obvious and easy.

One by one, each tiny new life was born.  At first, Sneakette was scared and tried to escape her babies.  We moved them into a very large carrier, with room enough for her to be apart from them but still with them.  Otherwise, she would run into Lucky's bed, forgetting to nurse or nurture her newborns.  Soon, though, her mothering instincts took over, and Sneaker became the best mother.  And, names became obvious:  Muggs because of his overly visual 'mug,' Boots because of his 4 'white booted' feet, Stevie because, the moment he could lift his head, while his eyes were still closed, he swung it back and forth from side to side like Stevie Wonder.  And Sneakette; obviously her mother's daughter.

Sneaker and the Sneakettes!

These lucky kitties lived together in our home in Napa, always with each other. 

Now, there are two left; Muggs and Boots.