It is with great sorrow that I write that on Friday evening, April 27th, 2012, my darlin Arwen kitty passed away in my arms with Jay right by her side. She was 18 years old and had a very long and happy life. Arwen came to live with me when she was just a kitten.
Baby Arwen
Arwen & mouse
My kitty Aragorn had passed away when he was quite young, from a congenital lung defect.
Aragorn
I was shocked and heartbroken, but my other cat, Tierann,
Tierann
who never seemed to like him much while he was alive, was truly bereft. She prowled the house endlessly looking and calling for him. I decided to go out and find another companion for Tierann and found Arwen in a pet store not far from my house. She was there with her littermate, a sister. As I took Arwen out of the cage, I dared one look back at that remaining kitten, who just look so sad I couldn’t stand it and turned right on my heel and took that one, my Mistletoe, as well. I mean, if you’re getting one kitten, what’s two? (the answer to that is twice the work…but never a regret here!)
Double Trouble!
Bathroom mischief!
Tierann seemed less than pleased with this development, but the kittens charmed everyone else (and I suspect, Tierann was secretly taken with them as well). Tierann was quite the legendary character among those that knew her and Mistletoe was also unique and spunky to say the least. Arwen was quiet, laid back for the most part, very sweet, full of purrs and always the lady. She had the longest whiskers imaginable and took great care in keeping her long fur appropriately groomed.
She was a great sport, unlike my other girls, about all of the various costumes in which I dressed her up.
Lobsters!
Arwen Court Jester
Space Cat 'Wen
Arwen Bunny
Arwen Witch
Princess Arwen
Howdy Partner!
She even seemed to like wearing her Christmas collar.
Merry Christmas!
Tierann left us at 19 years of age in 2007 and Mistletoe passed away 1 1/2 years ago. I feared Arwen would be inconsolable, having been with a pack of cats her whole life. However, although I’m sure she loved her sister, she was ecstatic at being the only cat. Finally, she was the star of the show and Jay and I were happy to give her top billing. I can’t tell you how much we will miss her.
As it turns out, I am the one who is inconsolable at the loss of my pack.
Arwen, Tierann & Mistletoe
Rest in Peace Sweetness.
Lea & Jay 
So sorry about your loss. But celebrating her life helps with the grief.
I’m so sorry! 😦 It’s difficult to ‘like’ a post like this simply because I understand how difficult and painful going through something like this is… Thank you for sharing all of these wonderful photos & memories – I hope it helped you in the process. 🙂
What a beautiful girl! As a fellow cat lover and owner, I know how difficult it is when a precious little one dies. Thank you for sharing her life with us.
My condolences on your loss! I posted just such an announcement as this, as one of my first blogs, for my beloved Springer Spaniel, Sammy. But it does get easier with time! Not necessarily better, but definitely easier!
The photos are beautiful. I love the one with the lobsters on their heads. I am very sorry for your loss(es). I lost my cat today on the way to the vet’s office, and it is something I know will happen eventually with my other two as well, even if they die of natural causes. It’s so hard to have to say goodbye to a friend.
So sorry to hear about your kitty! It is very hard to say goodbye. I think I will be remaining cat free for the time being…Hang in there!