The Comfort and Company of Four-Footed Companions

 This post is a little hard to write and put together because Violet died last week, only nine days ago. She'd been slowing down for awhile (she had soft cell sarcoma, a type of cancer, and she was also in the beginning stages of laryngeal paralysis), but she suddenly went really downhill last Monday, and she passed away at home the next day. It was devastating to lose my girl. I missed her so much, and her absence was palpable. 

However, the emotional healing and recovery seem to be happening faster and more effectively than it has for my three dogs who have gone before. Among a few other things, I attribute a lot of that to the prayers of others, the ministration of angels, and especially to my increased time in the temple. I see a marked difference this time in the length and intensity of my mourning. Don't get me wrong; I cried buckets the day before she died when her body was shutting down, the day of, and the day after. The house was so empty without her, and everywhere reminded me of her. Two days after she died, I went to the Cape for the Fourth of July for a few days, and it was good to get away from it all and have some time away from the scenes of both life and death that we'd gone through together. When I returned home, it felt like she'd gone on a trip too. And it felt like that's where she was supposed to be now. That has been a hugely comforting perspective shift, and I believe the timing of her death may have been divinely inspired with that as one of the reasons. 

I'm so thankful for the constant comfort and companion Violet was to me for nearly ten of her fourteen years. Especially these last few years with the hard things that have happened in my life. She was unfailingly faithful and sweet. I'll be forever grateful for our time together; she was a true blessing in my life.

 These are the last pictures I have of her and Romeo around the house last month, which turned out to be our last full and normal month together. 

Romeo is my sister's cat and has been with me since March. He's a great cat, sassy but sweet, and intelligent, perceptive, and cuddly (when he wants to be, which fortunately is often). He and Violet got along well and they even looked alike with their silky-soft black fur and white markings. They were a cute little duo. I'm especially grateful to have Romeo's company now in the wake of Violet's passing. 

The three of us resting together on a peaceful Sunday afternoon. This was a common occurrence.

I miss her constant nearby presence. She was just always there.

Romeo likes laying on my lap, especially when there's a soft cozy blanket over it.

Romeo wants to be an outdoor cat, but it ain't happening.

Another day, another rest for our little trio.

I bundled Romeo under the blanket on my lap. He thought it was very cozy, and so did I. Look at his little leg hanging out—so cute!

Sporting triceratops ears

Our trio watching When Calls the Heart one night. Well, I watched, they slept.

It's nice to have a cuddle-cat like this. Brody and Bentwood weren't big cuddlers. 

I took this picture only six days before Violet died. She'd been breathing heavily a lot and was slowing down some, but I didn't know the end was so near for her. I'll be forever grateful that I got this last nice picture of me and my little lady.

I know she's in a good place now, much better than here, and that she's healthy and happy and having a great time there. I also know that we'll be together again, and it's a day that I eagerly await. Heaven would not be heaven without the beloved animals we've cared for along the way.