I don’t want this to be a sad post. I want it to be a post of gratitude. For more than eleven and a half years, you’ve let me into your computers, mobile devices and hearts, and I thank you for spending the time to read my blog and books, for enjoying my photos, for donating to causes I’ve told you about, and for helping me to rescue cats who were in need. I wish I could do it forever, because the kind of connection I share with my readers is what makes life worthwhile. But as some of you already know, I’m very ill and it is time for me to retire from this blog.
The blog will continue without me. I do have someone stepping up to take over, and I know you will love her. I will introduce you to her tomorrow. She will introduce herself to you next week.
Am I dying? Yes, probably. I am not going to pretend my illness is any less than what it is. A few months ago, I was diagnosed with chronic renal failure. The test results indicated it was only in the very early stages, and while many cats can go on for years, having a good life while dealing with CRF, I have other ailments complicating things and in the past month things have gotten very bad for me. To put it into perspective: my human is a vintage film fan and an admirer of John Barrymore, a hard-living actor from a famed theatrical family who wore his body down and died when he was only 60. Barrymore’s good friend, writer Gene Fowler said, “Nobody runs downhill faster than a thoroughbred.” Apparently, the same is true of me, a feline thoroughbred, although actually, in cat years, I’ve outlived John Barrymore by a little bit. The one thing I do find unforgivable is that Binga, who is two years older than me, is outlasting me. I get the sneaking suspicion that she may outlive everyone in this household.
I honestly don’t know how much time I have left. This past week in particular, I have been slipping away. I have not eaten on my own in two or three weeks, and yesterday I looked so sad that my human felt too sorry for me to force me to eat anything. I didn’t even look twice at the KFC chicken thigh she offered me for lunch. She couldn’t eat it either. I have an appointment at the vet today, and if there is something they can do there to make me feel better, I will be coming home. If not, I may not come home at all. I have written a couple of posts ahead of time — tomorrow’s post about Summer, the new girl, and Monday’s astrology post about Virgo. If I come home, I’ll do this weekend’s Caturday Report and Sunday Catinee. If I don’t, the blog will be dark this weekend.
So this is my thank you and good-bye. My human and I do not believe in the rainbow bridge, so I don’t know that I will ever see any of you again after I’m gone. But I hope I will continue to live on in your hearts.
Your friend always,
Sparkle
I am so sorry to read this post. Sparkle was a wonderful cat, and so beloved by many. My heart goes out to you.
Dear Sparkle’s Mom:
Just now reading this, and I wish to offer my deepest condolences and sorrow. I am so saddened to hear of her passing. Sparkle lived up to her name, a little sparkle of happiness and was just so sweet to see when I stopped by to read her blog. I will hug my kitties extra tight.
Dear Sparkle,
We just learned – via Chewy.Com – that you are no longer with us, and in spite of your Mom’s admonition to not be sad – how can we not mourn your loss?
You are one of our all-time favorite felines and your presence will be greatly missed!
At the same time, we GREATLY celebrate your cat-i-tude and all you have done to raise human awareness for all things feline!
You made us laugh. You made us cry. You made us smile. You brought us great joy.
Here’s to you, Sparkle – we celebrate the joy you brought us! 🙂
Don’t even know what to say right now. Such a difficult post to read. Very brave of you, Sparkle. So sorry we didn’t get the chance to know you. Bless you and your strength. I can only hope for the same when it’s my time.
Dear Sparkle, I read your blog recently, but I was so pleased with you and your thoughts are clear. I’m sorry, but I think we made friends with Summer but still you are very clever cat. My people have read this post and immediately they gave way to tears in his eyes, I do not understand by what, but after reading it, I also cried a kidney, I did not know that cats cry … I do not even know how to express my regret and you and you people on this, I’ll do it by the cat, I will give you big ppuuuuurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr …. Unfortunately nothing in this world is not possible to change – someone leaves, someone coming, so the world was created. And we have to move on. I believe that your spirit is moved to another cat again and you will live in this house, next to your people, and we will once again admire you and read your posts, no wonder they say that cats have 9 lives.
Sincerely Cat Shprot and his family.
Dear Family of Sparkle,
I would like to let you know that you made my human family feel better when I passed away in 2009. I was a most beloved Somali also, and I look so much like you that we must be related.
My humans still miss me terribly…. They are very sorry for your loss.
With much love,
Desi Somali and Family
Sparkle, you are such a brave, thoughtful cat. I should be the one to say thank you for sharing your thoughts with us everyday. My human is not functioning right now after she read this post. I know you fought so hard in this world and it may be time to get well deserve rest. Sparkle thank you and we will miss you forever!!!!
Goma
Dear Sparkle. I am so sorry to hear of your passing. Your humans did the kind thing for you but I’m sure their heart is broken. I’m so glad they have a successor to keep your blog going and to soothe their hearts. I’m sending lots of Comforting purrrrrrrrrrrrrrs to them.
Dear Sparkle, seems my post got lost. Just wanted to meow that I’m sorry I didn’t get to know you sooner with so many to get to know around here since starting last month. You sounded very inspurrational and loved by so many. My mom had a kitty long before me who passed away after 18 years so she knows how big the hole is. We are looking forward to getting to know Summer and your human now. Paw paw my almost furiend =^,,^=
Oh, Janiss, I am so sorry to learn about Sparkle’s passing. I have been away without internet and just got home today, but I feel badly it has taken me so long to leave a comment. I know you are a very philosophical person and will handle this with grace, I hope knowing so many of us loved Sparkle too helps ease the pain. Your loss is our loss, and I cried when I read about her. Perhaps she is up in heaven giving us that wonderful stink eye of hers for being so sentimental. Sparkle was one of a kind. My thoughts and prayers are with you, if there is anything I can do, please let me know. My deepest condolences. Sending hugs and thoughts of comfort your way.
I’ll miss you, Sparkle.
Goodbye sweet Sparkle, we will miss you and your wonderful stories and advice. You have done so much for all kitties. We would like to give your human head bops and thank her for sharing you with us. If there is a special place that kitties go, please tell our sister, Marble, that we miss her.
RIP Sparkle, we’re thinking of you and your family,
Jack and Sox
I was late in finding Sparkle’s blog, which is ironic as it was one of the first from what I’ve gleaned so far. I look forward to reading it from the beginning, though I know my heart will be heavy knowing she is gone. Still, I will gain from reading it and will be another whose mind can hold her memory.
We are so lucky to be given the desire to share our lives with such lovely feline souls, even if we sometimes fall a little short in understanding them.
I respect Sparkle’s human’s stance on the Rainbow Bridge. Instead, I would like to offer this quote from a Gale Greeno book that I have spoken for my own departed, adored felines. (The line was from a human to her feline at parting.) “May you see with eyes of light in everdark, may your mind walk free and unfettered amongst all, touching wisely and well, may you go in peace. But wait for me, beloved.“
Sad, very, very sad.
Dearest Sparkle, My human and I just found out about your transition and are so sad. You will always live forever in our hearts. Fly free beautiful girl and we will all catch up on the other side one day! Meow and Namaste! Pippy the Feline Yogini and her human
Dear Sparkle:
You are a loving and courageous fur being. Thank you for ALL you have given us. May you find peace wherever you may go. Our thoughts, wonderful thoughts will always be with us.
RIP Sparkle – You shining light gave us a love and delight. So sorry to have had such a short time with you.
Sweet Sparkle… I get back online today and I see this.
You have been an inspiration to this kitty and you will always have a place in my heart as long as this little heart of mine is beating.
We are all heartbroken here and everyone is sending the warmest of thoughts to your family, and we’ll be thinking of you a lot. You will be missed.
Maybe that is what the rainbow bridge is: this place you stay in in the hearts of the ones who love you, after you leave the earth.
Purrs and love,
Texas & family
We are very sad to hear of Sparkle’s passing. Our mom has been out of the country for three weeks, and has just heard the news. Our mom really enjoyed visiting with Sparkle’s mom at BlogPaws last spring. We have enjoyed Sparkle’s posts over the years – she was truly a wise kitty (and very famous). We are sending many purrs and head butts to your family.
I have enjoyed following you, Sparkle, and will miss you very much. Sending purrs for a peaceful crossing.