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| My last photo of her July 2015 |
A year ago today Ivy left this world after having thrown a blood clot. It is hard to believe so much time has gone by without her.
Lately I have been seeing black and white cats in my peripheral vision while at home. I am assuming it is the part of or all of the quartet that left us last year - Minnie Ivy, Georgie and Lily. I just see a shape and color but no details.
Knowing the anniversary of her passing would be coming up, I finally ordered her grave stone from Etsy. It is smaller than I thought it would be but then so was she. Small but packed full of joie de vivre, a booming voice and abundant energy.
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| Ivy in our old home |
I was just talking about her the other day to a new employee of the pet food store I frequent. Knowing she is a feral cat caretaker I was explaining how I have a feral cat sanctuary. She was surprised to hear that they were now all indoor only. I told her about Ivy, how wild she was outside so much so I could not even touch her. I told her how I left Ivy outside one last summer in 2005 because I was worried she would not adjust to life indoors. Even after living seven years in a feral cat colony she settled right in and loved being a house cat and lap cat. Ivy was also full of contradictions!
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| She loved catnip and would roll in it until she was in a stupor |
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| Ivy as the devil cat |
She lived a long and amazing life for a feral cat, surviving illness (she was FIV), being shot with a BB gun (the BB was still in her leg), hurricanes, blizzards and the loss of her fellow ferals as they passed on during her first seven years. After we took her in, she handled moving to a new home three years later with her usual resilience. Ivy flowed with the ups and downs of life, taking it all in stride. (Read about her life here.)
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| Ivy loved to nap hanging off things - beds, sofa and this heater. |
I spent so much of her first years worrying about her living outdoors. That worry bonded me to her before I could even hold her. Once inside she was my shadow - with me everywhere I went , either beside me or on my lap. Ivy trusted me implicitly. She cracked us up daily because she had so many endearing quirks and funny habits - licking butter off my finger at breakfast, napping in the TV console, playing catch with socks on the bed, waking me up in the morning by quacking next to my face, letting me dress her up. Ivy was a unique personality, one of a kind. We miss her every day!
What a special girl Ivy was. Purrs to you today as you remember her.
ReplyDeleteThat was a lovely post in memory of a very special ladycat. Ivy certainly was one of a kind, and we're sending you hugs and purrs as you remember and honour her today, and every day.
ReplyDeletePurrs and peace.
I remember your losing Ivy to the same thing I lost Truffles to just a few weeks prior. Anniversaries are *so* hard, especially the first. Thinking of you today. {{{hugs}}}
ReplyDeleteA wonderful tribute from you to Sweet Ivy. We know you will miss her always.
ReplyDeleteIvy sounds like a dear, sweet kitty who is greatly missed.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful tribute post for Ivy. Sending your purrs and comforting thoughts today.
ReplyDeleteQuack, quack, says Ivy! A wonderful tribute; I hope I can get my ferals inside someday.
ReplyDeletethey are always in our hearts, aren't they?
ReplyDeleteFeral cats do make wonderful pets. I have my Queen Momma in the house now and she loves it. Good to hear all these memories of Ivy.
ReplyDeleteShe was so very purretty. Sendin' big hugs and purrayers.
ReplyDeleteLuv ya'
Dezi and Raena
What a tender tribute to the dear Ivy. Maybe not a coincidence of the timing with BCTA funded at the same time. Email me about her story for the book.
ReplyDeleteYou tribute to dear Ivy was most wonderful and she was indeed a special one. Hugs from all of us.
ReplyDeletebig hugs two yur mom ivy; we noe how hard anniversarries R...
ReplyDelete♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
=^,,^=
Purrs to you as you remember sweet Ivy today.
ReplyDeleteSo much love in this exquisite tribute. What an incredibly special little girl Ivy was....sending (((hugs))) and love to you. Thank you for sharing her with us. catchatwithcarenandcody
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing Ivy with us - what a beautiful girl inside and out <3
ReplyDeleteThis is such a sweet remembrance for Ivy. She indeed sounds like a special girl. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
ReplyDeleteIvy was a beautiful kitty. I love the photo of her dressed as a devil and the video is very cute. XO
ReplyDeleteIvy was very special and obviously much loved.
ReplyDeleteI think you are right about seeing black and white cats in your peripheral vision. I keep seeing a flash of ginger when I know it can't be Flynn. I assumed it was a reflection caused by my glasses but I still see it when I am not wearing them. It is a comfort to know our loved ones come back to check on us.
What an amazing kitty Ivy was. Thank you for sharing your memories. I have to say that I'm wiping tears away now. I too have a feral colony (2 actually), and I worry about them all the time! It's been many years now, and several have come in (we call it "crossing over") to become house cats. The transition--when they are ready--can be amazing! I currently have a 15 year old FIV who came in when she was 13 years old. She is a total love--frail but still able to climb and play. It breaks my heart when I think of all the "ferals" who might so easily adapt to a warm and safe home.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure that your angel Ivy--and all your other kitties who have gone to the rainbow bridge--are always by your side. I'm not at all surprised that you "see" them. I have often experienced this too. Many Blessings...
The story of how your babies came to be with you and then having to move, you took them with you has always inspired and impressed me. The love you have for these far too often forgotten cats is evident in your tribute to Ivy. My first introduction to ferals was my 15 year old boy Kaspars who is a former feral/foster fail who showed up one winter day 13 yrs ago. He has changed my life and opened my eyes to the plight of how easily people throwaway and disregard these souls who long for touch and love like any socialized house cat.
ReplyDeleteIvy was a wonderful, funny and loving girl and your memories of her had me laughing through tears. I have 5 girls at the Bridge who each had their own unique story and personality and brought enrichment to my life, making me better for having known them. I do believe we will be reunited together one day and know all of your babies at the Bridge are watching over and waiting for you too. They are forever grateful to you for loving, protecting and caring for them when no one else would or cared, in this may you find comfort as you remember Ivy and all her fur sibs.
I love the grave marker you purchased for her on etsy, I have been looking for a few simple ones for some of my fur kids. May I ask where on etsy you ordered it from and was it very expensive?
What sweet memories of your lovely girl Ivy. How wonderful it was that she became part of your life and your heart.
ReplyDeleteIvy sounds like she was such a special girl. Love her hearty squawk!
ReplyDeleteIvy was so special. We are so moved by your memories of this beautiful girl. Big hugs to you both, Cheri and Don.
ReplyDeleteSorry we are so late to comment, cannot believe it has been a year already. Sending you our love and support as you remember Ivy. Love knows no bounds, not even death Mom says.
ReplyDeleteLuvs
Marty and the Gang
While this post was about her, and sharing how wonderful she was, it also is very telling of you and the relationship you have with your cats that you are able to get feral cats to live a happy life indoors.
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