Elvis has left the building.
We put Elvis to sleep last Tuesday.
It was time.
She had not been eating well and she just wound down and down… Even after Paul had a very serious conversation where he explained to her: earth is for eaters; if you don’t eat, you can’t stay… nonconformists will not be tolerated.
The hospice vet came to the house in the morning. We held her on our bed, on her favorite blanket. We told her that she didn’t have to be afraid, and that we loved her more than anything, and she will always still be here, right in our hearts, forever.
Elvis’s head was on my shoulder when she died. I hope she didn’t know what was happening.
An hour later we took her to be cremated.
We took her all the way to the machine because my heart hurt to think of her being alone, or with strangers; and I wanted to be with her as far as I could… I don’t think she knows any of that. But it mattered a lot to me.
Then we waited for her ashes and took her back home.
She’s got a little shrine right now, with lots of flowers from the garden, and her fuzzy ball, and the small dish of whiskers she shed/I found over the last 12 years.
It’s on the spot on the rug where she would RUN, as soon as you walked in the door; she would start doing her aerobics because she was so excited that you were going to pet her… At night she comes upstairs to the bedside table.
When I’m ready she’ll get moved to the Elvis Memorial Library. (Previously known as Cleveland bookcase)
For twelve years, Elvis was basically half of myself, so I expected to be sad. Really sad. Debilitatingly sad. But I didn’t understand the actual FRANTIC physical sensation of missing her. Wanting to pick her up and feel her fur and talk to her and hear her purry chirp.
And I would like to say officially: THIS IS A HORRIBLE SYSTEM.
How has humanity not just curled up and died from incurable loss?
I literally do not comprehend how people survive when it is human family.
I’ve been camped out in my tent of sadness… it was really unmanageable at first— the tent kept collapsing and trying to suffocate me.
But I think now I’ve got it packed into something more wheelbarrow-sized, which is nice and convenient because it’s portable, so when you have a breakdown outside your house, you have all the supplies.
Making this video was helpful, but also so sad… I can’t believe she’s really gone.
*If you can’t watch the video, try reloading the page, or being sure that you aren’t inside of the Facebook app… it seems to break the video.
I miss everything about her. Our conversations. Her smell. Her chirp. Her smoochy face. Her white feeties. Her wompy ear.
But I know she had a wonderful life and THE MOST LOVE, and that’s really the best that any of us can hope for in this life.
October 21, 2016 @ 1:59 pm
Just saw this now and I am so truly and deeply sorry. Our pets are so amazing and the hardest part of loving them is saying goodbye.
November 16, 2016 @ 12:27 pm
The video was “purrfect”! Thank you for sharing. My condolences on your loss.
November 26, 2016 @ 10:04 am
We recently lost a to a very aggressive cancer. Even with six others in the house we keenly ache for her. Losing a cat is hard.
November 28, 2016 @ 2:26 pm
I just finished your sweet video of Elvis. Tears streaming. Memories returning of our Miss Kitty….we lost her last year. Our fur babies occupy a place in our hearts. They give us the powerful, unconditional love that our Saviour offers us. Bless you during your grief. Mine has dimmed, but never leaves. The memories are poignant and sweet and achey. Thank you for your blog, and for sharing your heart with strangers.
November 30, 2016 @ 11:04 pm
I haven’t been around for a while, am just now catching up on your blog, and I wondered how Elvis was doing. So sad when you lose a pet and have that kind of bond. Reading about Elvis brought back a lot of memories when we lost our kitty to cancer, and I am sitting here with tears and snot and everything running down my face remembering her, and that was.. 8 years ago? It does get easier, but you never forget. So sorry to hear about your loss.
December 3, 2016 @ 2:33 pm
Oh, Elvis… how will we live without you??? I almost couldn’t bear that video. I was laughing at her antics and sobbing at the same time. I’ve been offline for months, so I missed this post. My deepest sympathies.
December 10, 2016 @ 7:20 pm
It’s never easy to lose a pet, believe me. They really become a part of you, that will never really leave, even when they leave you physically. And, trust me, I don’t know this because I read it somewhere. I know it from personal experience. Me and my family are HUGE animal people, and we have lost countless pets, including cats. I can give you plenty of examples, but I will only show you a few.
We have lost probably about three cats is year. We live in town and they just left and never came back, so we don’t know if they are alive or not. Their names are Clarissa, Pumpkin, and Nutmeg.
Also, we have recently, a few months ago, lost one of the first birds we have ever owned, she has been with us as long as I can remember, named Angel, who probably died of old age.
Now, I’m not trying, in any way, to say my pain is worse than yours, just to say you’re not alone in this. I, and MANY others, know how it feels to lose a beloved pet.
And I just wanted to say, I’m so sorry for you. Recover quickly.
December 16, 2016 @ 12:08 am
I am so sorry for your loss. Elvis was a great cat. She had a great spirit.
December 23, 2016 @ 11:43 pm
Just reading about Elvis. I am new to your blog (and potentially your new BFF… I would totally jump off th porch in mask. ) 😂 But I also know the pain of losing a cat. It hurts like hell doesn’t it? I’m still not over it/can’t go there, even though it’s been 5 years now. I wore my finest black linen dress and my best pearls when I took her. Just like Jackie O. She deserved no less. I idled at a stop sign for 10 minutes afterward, in a stupor of sadness, until someone honked me out of it. Ugh. I feel your pain. But if Elvis could, he would thank you. Thank you for the life and the love you provided, which is no small thing! We have Oliver now and he is our guy. 💗 But you never forget. Here’s to our little loves…we will never forget them! So glad you are helping more kittens! Merry Christmas.
December 25, 2016 @ 6:34 pm
Just watched the video. So sweet still crying. He was just beautiful. That little heart on his face is adorable. Perfect song for Elvis video.
So sorry for your loss. So glad you had such a great relationship. Yall were all very fortunate.
Merry Christmas
Memories are sweet and so hard all at the same time.
April 29, 2017 @ 9:45 pm
Oh. My. Thanks for this beautiful video. I am so sorry for you. What a precious kitty. I loved her hanging out in so many of your posts. I have been reading your blog for about a year. I decided to recently start at the beginning and read through. It is taking FOREVER! Thanks for the joy you bring. Again, so sorry for your loss. Totally love u!!!
May 3, 2017 @ 1:38 pm
I am so sorry, for your loss.
Not sure how I happened upon your site. But, here we are. It never ceases to amaze me how the furry critters become a part of the family, how they get into our hearts. Our Flea Bag was one such feline. Like your Elvis, he was an integral part of our lives.
July 17, 2017 @ 5:58 pm
We have 5 rescues, 4 all black, one tiger stripes. Dont know what I’d do if I lost one, but am also hoping to outlast all because I cannot bear the thought of them going to new owners or the pound. Don’t think my family would allow that, but if I’m not here…… my heart goes out to you for your loss.
September 3, 2017 @ 3:54 pm
I found this 2016 post through the 2017 blue oven post… my own sweet baby cat – she’s 15 years old but you know what I mean – is slowly fading away now. I read your words about Elvis with tears running down my face but I flat out wailed when you wrote how you saved whiskers…. so many times I’ve thrown whiskers away and I want each one of them back. Trixie LuLu is a strong will torti-girl and her will to live is strong – I spend my days now stroking her head and singing ridiculous songs to her. She’ll be so missed but my life is about a million times better for having had her live with me. Thanks for sharing the Elvis story and keep on doing good with the fosters. <3 (that's a heart for you from us)
September 16, 2017 @ 11:49 pm
I so sorry for you loss
December 15, 2017 @ 10:52 am
Dear VEB,
It is December 2017. I want you to know I wept GFT watching this Elvis Crosses Moon River video again. Happens each time I watch it, actually. And I am a Dog mommie!
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Happy New Year.
March 1, 2018 @ 7:54 am
What a happy fun crazy sweet adorable and totally loved cat.
April 28, 2020 @ 3:29 pm
I am just reading this post, even though it is 2020. I am so sorry for the love of your beloved Elvis. I know your pain and anguish. I lost my Phoebe at 12 years old also. I cried uncontrollably when I read this post and watched the video. Prayers and hugs (because I KNOW you still need them. xoxo. Do you have your kitchen finished yet? I haven’t seen anything new since the Spain induction post. I love your wit and charm and your GFTs taste. I love EVERYTHING!! (I have a “dish” thing too).. I can’t wait to see the finished product. I know it will be absolutely beautiful, breathtaking and beyond imagination. xoxo