Wednesday 24 June 2020
Instead of bird and nature news, today is devoted to my sweet cat Emmalina who passed away yesterday at age 14 with a massive tumor in her belly. She was the soul and spirit of our house and we miss her at every turn. If you’ve lost a pet I’m sure you understand.
We adopted Emmy at Animal Rescue League (now Human Animal Rescue) in September 2006 when she was five months old. She had been a stray and was very thin but she was beautiful. I chose her because she purred so loudly while I petted her on my lap.
Emmy captured our hearts and earned a longer name, Emmalina, both of which I use when writing about her (see links below). She was an indoor cat but that didn’t mean her life was boring.
Emmy taught us tricks she wanted us to perform by using non-verbal communication. She inspired science blogs, chased house centipedes, watched birds outside the window and subdued a turnip (she hated turnips). In late 2011 she heard a mouse under the sunroom floor that lead to weeks of activity and three articles:
- Mouse in the House: Emmy hears a mouse but neither of us can get it.
- The Observer Effect: Emmy’s presence affects the mouse-trapping experiment.
- What’s That Smell: Mouse is still there.
Here are some photo highlights of her life.
In January Emmalina started losing weight but the vet couldn’t find anything wrong; the cancer was sneaky. This month she declined rapidly. Unable to eat, she slept most of the time and was no longer herself. We began to miss the kitty she once was.
Emmalina never lost her purr until her last days on earth. That’s how I knew her end was near.
Sleep well, sweet Emmalina. See you on the other side. Much love, Kate.
(photos by Kate St. John)
A beauty and an amazing cat. I’m so sorry for the loss of your friend and companion. ?
Oh Kate! I am so very sorry for the loss of your beautiful beautiful girl! I know the Sadness and emptiness you are feeling. Hold on to the wonderful memories! PS….she is purring loudly again
I’m so sorry to read about Emmalina. You have my deepest sympathy. We lost a family pet, Angie, in April during stay-at-home. We had been concerned about her health and she was under care. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Kittywig, thank you for your prayers and kind words. I am glad to hear from you as I have been thinking of you often in the past month. I’m so sorry your own pet died during the shutdown. It’s been a very hard year in so many ways. Stay safe.
I’m sorry to see the news. It’s always difficult to lose a close friend. She was a beautiful girl.
OH I AM so sad for you and have complete empathy as we just had to let our dearly loved dog, Xander, go yesterday. So true that everywhere I look and he is not there brings such loss. My prayers are for you and yes – you will reunite in paradise.
Sorry for your loss, too, Joyce. Sad day today.
Kate I am so sorry for the lose of your beautiful kitty and friend Emmy . It is clear from
your photos that she had a wonderful life. Thank you for adopting ?
What a beautiful soul Emmalina was. I’m so glad you had those years together with her, and saddened that you had to say goodbye. Your Emma stories were a delight to read, and I will miss the updates.
I am so sorry to hear about your sweet Emmy. She was a very beautiful girl. Sleep well Emmy.
Dear Kate, I’m so very sorry for your loss. Emmalina was beautiful. Sending virtual hugs your way.
Having just lost a brother and sister cat with their own personalities and looks a few years ago; each eventually to cancer, I understand and sympathize Kate…so sorry as I know how much you are hurting now…even tho’ we know it is best they are not with us as we do not like to see them suffer, it is like losing a member of our family as to many of us that’s what they are/were…Emmalina (love the names) was a beautiful cat with so much personality and they ARE affectionate/loving. Prayers for comfort and peace and thanks for sharing her with everyone.
Virtual hugs for you and hubby. Pets are the better angels of our household. Each passing diminishes us all.
What a beautiful girl she was. I’m so sorry for your loss.
She was a special kitty. Sweet dreams Emmy.
May memories of love, and friendship maintain and comfort you in the loss of your beloved Emmalina.
So sorry for your loss Kate. Pets are family, and whenever one passes it’s a sad day. We’ve lost our share over the years. Never gets any easier.
So sorry for the loss of your fur baby. Hugs to you.
The hardest part of being a fur baby parent…saying goodbye. Deepest condolences. I hope you will eventually find it in your heart to rescue another kitty.
Kate, I am so very sorry for your loss. Emmalina was a beautiful girl and I know she will be deeply missed for a very long time.
So sorry. Such a loss.
Kate, so sorry to hear about Emmalina. A beautiful name for a beautiful cat. It looks like her life was good with you and she was happy. She will live on forever in your heart and memories.
Hi Kate,
Emmalina was a good cat. She was also a fortunate cat, to spend her pleasant life with you and Rick. My condolences.
Love,
Scott
Hi Kate, She was beautiful, I’m so sorry. Our animal companions will always have a special place in our hearts. It’s hard to lose them. Hugs to you.
Kate, I’m so sorry about Emmy. She was a beauty. Pets enrich our lives in so many ways, she clearly was loved. Sending hugs from California.
Melanie
She was a lucky kitty. So sorry for your loss, Kate.
My condolences to you and the household. I recommend the book Where Lily Isn’t by Julie Paschkis.
sorry for Your loss, Kate.
Kate, our pets are members of our family, too, and the pain is hard. I am so sorry for your loss.
Kate, you have my sympathies. Our pets bring so much joy to our lives and it’s so sad to lose them.
Oh Kate!!! I am so very, very sorry for the loss of your beautiful Emmalina. I know how much you loved her. Our love for our furry family members is great and deep. I remember the articles you wrote that included her. I know with all of my heart she is waiting for you on the other side. I am hopeful that she, and my Maggie girl, are playing right now. I hope the love you had for Emmy can somehow soften the loss. <3
So very sorry about Emmy. Beautiful cat. Love her face and ears. Enjoyed reading previous posts and seeing pictures. Thank you for posting those today. We do so love our sweet pets.
Katie I’m so sorry for your loss. You and Emmalina were very lucky to have found each other and to have touched each other’s lives. Her memory and loving spirit will continue on.
Ironically, this was the first time that I visited “Outside My Window.” I found this link when reading the National Aviary’s web page about Peregrine falcons. While I wasn’t expecting to read about the life and passing of Emmalina, her story touched my heart and soul. My cat, Mudpie, lived on this planet for nearly 20 years. He was smart and goofy, sassy and sensitive, and aloof and cuddly – all at the same time. You’re blessed to have had such a good kitty and great friend. I’m sorry for your loss.
I’m so sorry to hear about this, Kate. She sounded like a wonderful cat. Hang in there.
That was a beautiful tribute to you beloved Emmy we have all felt the pain of losing a fur baby so I just was to says he was a beautiful kitty you gave her an awesome forever home ant that is what every animal deserves she is playing on the rainbow bridge.
Dear Kate, I am sorry to hear about your cat Emmy. I know that she is in a better place without any pain but I know it is hard for you and your family. Your heart will heal in time but please know my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I have had to put to sleep 1cat and 4 dogs over the years. I still cry every now and then when I look at their pictures. I write letters to God to help heal my heart when my fur babies have gone to the rainbow bridge.
So heartbreaking. I lost my Miranda several years ago at the age of 20 to breast cancer. She is at rest outside my bedroom window in a garden made just for her and a birdbath, bird house and lots of pretty flowers. She lives in my heart forever now and is waiting for me at the Rainbow Bridge. I know Emmy is there too and will greet you again someday. All my love goes out to you.
Oh I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your dear kitty. Your heartfelt tribute brought tears.
“Pet Rules”?, no, it’s “Pet’s Rule!”. Having lost kitties myself, I know it’s so hard. And you keep seeing her out of the corner of your eye. I’m sure she would tell you she had a great time. So sorry.
Oh Kate, words are not enough to express how my heart aches for you and Rick during this time. I understand your sorrow. Emmalina was a beautiful kitty who will always remain in your hearts.
A lovely tribute to a special kitty.
Sending you hugs,
Anne Marie
So sorry for the loss of your beautiful kitty Emmalina. Our pets have a piece of our heart which makes it so hard when it is their time to go.
I’m very sorry about Emmalina. I remember the mouse-in-the-house posts. I hope all the good memories are a comfort to you.
Thank you, everyone, for your kind words and condolences. So many of you have been through this, too, and told me about your own pets. It helps to know we are not alone. Thank you.
as another adoptive mom, my sympathies and a hug. They give us so much more than we can give back. Thank you for sharing your baby girl.
You gave her a wonderful home and she enriched your life. Truly a special relationship between the two of you. Such a beautiful girl and she is at peace now to be reunited with you later. May memories of her keep you smiling through these difficult days. All pet lovers share in your grief. Be gentle with yourself!!
I AM SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. I KNOW IT IS SO DIFFICULT. A BEAUTIFUL CREATURE CAME INTO MY LIFE ON OCTOBER 31,2006. HIS NAME WAS RALEIGH. HE PASSED AWAY ON GOOD FRIDAY APRIL 10,2020.
HE STARTED LOSING WEIGHT AS WELL BUT ALL BLOOD TESTS CAME BACK NORMAL. IT ALL HAPPENED SO FAST. HE HAD CANCER IN BOTH KIDNEYS. I FELT SO HELPLESS. THIS ONE WAS SO SPECIAL. ALWAYS WILL BE.
TAKE CARE. YOUR BABY WAS A BEAUTY!
PRAYERS, KATHY
“… because she purred so loudly while I petted her in my lap.” SHE picked you and not the other way around. SHE knew. But of course you know that. And you and we who are chosen will always be better for it. So sorry for your loss. Beautiful Emmy, when you see my boy, Luigi or my girl Maezinha, tell ’em I said ‘Hi” and that I miss them so much. (They’ll be waiting for you on the other side of The Rainbow Bridge.) My throat is tightening my eyes are… watering. Must be coming down with something. Better go now. Good night, sweet princess.
I’m so sorry for your loss.
So sorry for your loss.