Welcome to Leonardo's Rainbow Residency

Memories of Leonardo

May 1, 2002: I remember the day I found you abandoned next to the off ramp of a highway while vacationing in Alabama in June of 1990. Just a small ball of fluff who cried to get my attention. I went through a lot of trouble to bring you home with me, and you were well worth it. To this day I still believe you were sent to me to keep me company, since I was still missing my cat Sunshine who had been hit by a car 8 months earlier. You were always a scaredy-cat, afraid of everyone, but very trusting & loving of us. I'll really miss the way we used to play "peek-a-boo" at bed time sometimes, when I'd say "where's Leonardo?" then peek slowly around the door, and you'd make that cute little chirrup noise. I was so worried when I saw your left hind foot swollen to 3 times its normal size almost two months ago. After a month of being on antibiotics, plus medication twice to try to get the swelling down, you had the biopsy done two weeks ago from today to determine what was wrong. I was so scared when the vet told me it was a form of cancer known as lymphosarcoma. You were sent home with that awful Elizabethan collar, and you hated that thing -- I hated putting it on you. We tried so hard to keep you well, but the cancer spread too quickly & then you stopped eating. I'm so sorry this all happened. You never did make it back to the vet to have those staples removed. You left for Rainbows Bridge laying down in front of the kitchen door, as though you were waiting for me to come home from work. I'm glad that my mom was here when you gasped for your last breaths of life, but I feel that I should have also been here. I'm so sorry I wasn't there when you needed me most, you must have felt so scared when you couldn't breathe anymore. I don't think you had suffered before yesterday, or I'd never forgive myself for letting it go on. On Sunday you just looked weak from not eating enough, and both the vet & I thought it was a good sign that you still expressed interest with wanting to eat, so we tried very hard to get your appetite back. I never had a chance to say goodbye. I know that your purring yesterday morning while I was rocking you was an indication that you still loved me, despite everything you'd gone through the last couple weeks. You were a big part of my life, and I'll always love you. Thank you for coming into my life. May 8, 2002: Your ashes are home with me now, fluffkins. They gave them to me in a temporary tin, I'll need to find a nice urn to transfer them into. I promise I'll do that as soon as I can. Now you'll always be with me here in my room, even though you're not physically here anymore. I wish I could tell you how much I miss you! I'll always love you, baby. June 23, 2002: I'm ready to have a new cat enter my life, and went to the animal shelter this morning to pick one. I chose a beautiful Maine Coon female named Ella, who looks to be no more than 4 months old. She reminds me just a little of you -- hates other cats. I could feel her shaking a little bit in my arms because she was afraid with all those strange cats around, but seems like a very sweet girl. She was only brought in 4 days ago & needs to be spayed & have her vaccinations, so she won't be ready to leave until I think next week -- I hope that all will go well & that I'll be able to bring her home soon. If for some reason I can't take her, then I'll choose another. They have so many wonderful cats waiting for homes, and I wish I could adopt them all! After I made my decision to go to the animal shelter this morning, I realized something -- this may have been the exact day that I found you abandoned 12 years ago. I remember that it was the last week of June, but can't remember the exact date. What a coincidence! I still miss you VERY much, and so does mom. June 29, 2002: Ella has been home since the 27th, but hasn't come out of hiding ever since she cautiously walked out of that carrier. She's only been coming out at night after everyone's gone to bed. We've been petting her when we've been able to reach her, but just can't coax her to come out of hiding. Please help her feel safe & secure, mom & I are both anxious to pick her up & cuddle her -- and I'm anxious to play with her! She's just so scared right now -- please help her adjust. Dec. 21, 2002: Mom & dad were finishing the holiday decorations today, and there was your stocking. Everything came flooding back, I came upstairs & started crying. I still miss you. I thank you for coming to visit me sometimes at night, it's a comfort to me to feel you kneading the purr pad near my feet or walking around my pillow. Ella started sleeping on my bed at night -- not every night, but most nights. She's really helped ease the pain! March 5, 2003: Happy Birthday, Leonardo. You would have turned 13 today. I still miss you, and am grateful I have Ella in my life. March 6, 2003: It was exactly one year ago today that I found you with your foot so badly swollen. It seems like it's been much longer...

Leonardo's People Parent(s), Jennifer, would appreciate knowing you have visited their Baby's Residency. Click here to Email Jennifer a message, or to send a sympathy card click here. Email this page to a friend.

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