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
Oh sweet Sparkle 🙁 I am so sorry about your illness. We have only recently discovered your blog, and already just reading this post made me tear up. You will be dearly missed 🙁 🙁 🙁
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
Sparkle had the best darn cat advice there ever was. I’ll miss her dry wit terribly!
Sparkle we love you & thank you for all the wonderful advice, fun, adventure & mostly for letting us be a part of your life.
Dear Sparkle, Thank you so much for brightening the Internet with your delightful blog. We will all miss you so much, but you will live on in the hearts of all of us who love you. Sending lots of love and hugs, with prayers, for you and all your family, and a big warm welcome to the new correspondent. *mops leaky eyes with paw* xxxx
I am very sad to have read this news after being away for what seems to me like ages. We may not have been that close, Sparkle, but you were one of the many firsts who welcomed me to the blogging world. I will never forget you. Thank you for everything too. Know that you will always be remembered no matter where you go. Much love…
We are so saddened to hear the difficult news of our dear magical Sparkle. We also lost a brother and sister to this disease. The end is never easy. But you have brought so much joy into our lives and we know that cat lovers everywhere thank you for giving us so much of yourself. Even when you were failing. you held your head up high and we will be forever grateful that you have touched our lives. Your human is a truly remarkable person and we hope she will continue her gift in Summer. Binga and Boodie are special to all of us and we hope they help your human make it through this difficult time. We will never forget the smiles you brought us and know that your legacy will live on. Thank you, Sparkle, for being so fabulous! We love you….Tanner, Lizzie, Cleo, Ozzie, Cookie and our human J9.
We may not have been as long-time readers as many of your other blog frequenters, but we really enjoyed our time we were able to spend with you. Your photos and posts inevitably made us smile. We’re incredibly saddened to read about this, but we also understand how heart-wrenching and awful it can be to watch someone you love dearly wither away before your eyes. Your family will be in our thoughts. *Hugs*
-Tiffany, Bella, Terra, & Kronos
I am so very sorry that Sparkle has crossed over. It is difficult to lose them, although we often know they won’t last long when their illnesses continue to impact them. Many hugs to you during this difficult time.
Luf, Us and Maw
I am so sorry to hear that you have flown to The Rainbow Bridge. Many prayers sent to your family.
Rest now sweet Sparkle. Thanks for all you have contributed to the Cat Blogosphere and for all you have invested in the many friendships you have maintained so well. Isagold loves you & Wallas has always taken inspurration from your catitutde.
I’m sorry I didn’t meet your mom, Janiss, at Blogpaws. But, from what I understand of her wonderful reputation, she will make sure that Summer follows in your paws & is well equipped to keep Binga under control.
Run free sweet Sparkle, you will sparkle across the sky,
Annette xox
Oh, Sparkle, We will miss you so very much. I know your kitty spirit will live on and on
Sparkle, you left your mark on the blogging world, and on the lives of all you touched. You will be missed by all. Sending purrs of comfort to your human today.
Sparkle, you were one very good cat who loved and was much loved. You will be very missed.
Happy memories & love to your Mom
Luff
Mungo
& The Ape
Goodbye Sparkle. You brought so much love and joy to so many. You will be greatly missed. Mom & I are sending lots of love and prayers to your family. Run free and play OTRB xo
We stopped to paw our respects, and offer soft husky wooooos,
RA, Isis & Nanük
Oh dear Sparkle,
We were so sorry to hear you were sick, and now you are at peace, thank cod. The Thank You comes from us to you – thank you for brightening so many lives and being such a wonderful mentor & guide for so many. You are one in a million. Run free sweet Sparkle, thanks for all the larfs. Special purrs of strength & love to your mom.
Love always,
Isagold, Bettyblue & WallasEKatt X X X
p.s. I’m off to read yurr book again! xox
A remarkable kitty, who will live on in the hearts of many! (I learned about this from Brian)
We just lost our 21 1/2 year old kitty last October, so I understand what you’re going through. I’m so sorry for your loss. Claude Campbell said, “To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.” I hope that gives you some measure of comfort.
We’re so sorry that you’ve had to say goodbye Sparkle. We will miss you, but we will also remember you forever. Love The Paw Relations xxx
Sparkle, we love and miss you dearly. Our hearts are breaking and our eyes are leaking. We will take comfort in knowing we will meet once again at that beautiful bridge.
XOXO
Oh Sparke, this is terrible news. We hope you are resting comfortably.
Rest in eternal peace Sparkle. ♥♥♥
We have only been following you just a little while Sparkle but we loved every minute of it,we will miss you as will everyone else who have gotten to know you and love you,being a bunny I believe that I will see you again as this is just a stepping stone from one stage in our existence to the next stage so this is not really good bye but see you later dear friend,we will always keep you in our heart and mind as we will keep your human there too.
See you later My dear friend,xx Speedy and my mum Rachel
We just heard the latest – our hearts are broken, and know that yours are too.
I must say that I Love your word :
I don’t want this to be a sad post. I want it to be a post of gratitude.
R.I.P Sparkley and i now there is many cats after the Rainbow even mine!
/Hug from me ho is friend to Kjelle
I just met you when you left. I’m so sad that you’re gone so soon although I know you live on in the hearts of so many! Bless your human ‘ s heart as she heals. Like Summer, our Grit came to us weeks before I lost my heart dog Scarlett. Gritty kitty helped me smile even though I was so sad and I believe Summer will do the same.
Dearest Sparkle,
Your cat blog is the only one we ever read and today we cried a few times.
We already miss you, Sparkle, but we know you have no more pain or problems.
Rest in perfect putty peace, dear Sparkle. And Miss Janiss, we feel your pain. Take good care.
Love from Star, Misty, Lucky, Annie, Precious, Rocky, Mister and our humin mom.
PS. I just noticed about you and your humjan not believing in Rainbow Bridge. . .love and prayers for your journey. . . ♥♥♥
*human*
Sparkle. . . the tears are flowing as I am typing this. . . there are not enough words to express my sorrow and grief for you. . .just know that you are dearly loved — and will ALWAYS be. . . once you make your decision to go to Rainbow Bridge, be sure to look up my “kids ” already there. . .they will happily show you around. . .love, and prayers for you for a peaceful journey home to our Lord, and for comfort and healing for your family. . .May God bless you and your family at this difficult time/transition. . . ♥♥♥♥♥
We Love you Sparkle. You have brought so much happiness and fun into our lives. We are so saddened to hear this. Let your human mom know that we support her in her time of need. Its going to be a tough time but together we can get through this. We know what you are going through as our housemate Chloe was diagnosed with the same thing 2 months ago. We cherish the little time we have left. Thank you for bringing joy into our lives. You will always be remembered. XOXOXOXOXOXO
Mr. Chivers, Greyson, Tabitha, Chloe and Samantha
I’m so sorry. Our hearts go out to you at this time. We are sending hugs, purrs and prayers for all of you.
So hard to type through the tears for a truly great friend. We are sending all our love, hugs and purrs for your humans and your fur family as your loss must have left such a void. We have loved having you as a friend and are so touched you were even thinking of us when you were so ill yourself. You will never be forgotten in the hearts and minds of so many and we will always hold a special place for you and your human in our hearts. May time and your choice of comfort in Summer bring joy to your loved ones.
You will be missed and loved no matter where you go Sparkle. My thoughts are with you and your human.
You will be sorely missed, Sparkle. I really don’t know what to say other than my love goes out to your human and fursiblings.
One thing is for sure Sparkle, wherever you have to go now, you will always stay in our heart s
Sparkle, you are amazing. I will be thinking of you and your family at this time pal. I wish you well.
Thank you Sparkle for all the comments you made on our blog and how you always made us smile. We will miss you every day as you always seemed to make the first comment on our blog. We are sending love and purrs to your Mom as we can only imagine how sad she feels today.
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx
I’m so so sorry to hear this. Sparkle was more than just a cat; she was a legend. She will be missed by many. This was one of the first cat blogs I ever read and I enjoyed it so incredibly much. Big hugs to your family. Farewell, beautiful Sparkle.
Oh Sparkle, how much you will be missed! I’m so sad to read these news 🙁 How I have loved seeing you in my comment box everyday, whishing I could have visited your blog more often! Rest in peace, thank you for so much here in blogosphere. Be assured that the kitty who will step into your shoes will be welcomed very warmly!
We would like to say, “Thank you, Sparkle, for all the joy and happiness you have given to so many of your furiends”. We know that your family is desolated and we send gentle purrs of sympathy and consolation. Dear Sparkle, we shall miss you.
Purrs … Rainbow
We just met you and now you are no more…so sorry to know this.We didn’t even know you were so furry ill.
Well, we send our purrs of comfort and hope that your memories and kitty legacy will forever be cherished in the hearts of your furmily members. Sending big hugs, too.
Pipo & Minko & Meowmy
Like everyone we don’t know what t say, we really don’t think there is anything to say. Sorry just isn’t enough. Typing through tears just know we didn’t know you but we still loved you and learned so very much. We wish all the strength in the world to your family.
I wanted to leave one more comment. You have always been there and helped us. We want to be there for you. Please know you are not alone. We are so appreciative of and love you soo much <3
Sparkle, I have only begun to know about you and I am so very sad to Lear of your illness. My kitty Echo all has the same disease so as I take care of her I will also say a prayer for the kitty Sparkle who shared so much of herself with others. I could only hope that there is some sort of Rainbow bridge… I really can not bear to think that after I pass that I will not be reunited with my beloved kitties…they are my children…they are my love just as you are to your Mom
Bless you beautiful Sparkle you will be in my thought and prayers. I know that your Mom will take care of you the best way possible so I will also pray for your Momma as she ,too will be lost without the Sparkle of her life.
Lots if deep hearted Love
Gerry, Echo, Darcy and Macy