Friday, March 20, 2009

Sad News

One of the beautiful baby kittens, a boy I have named Elijah, crossed to the Bridge last night. I guess he was just too small.

I buried him today in our back garden, wrapped in an embroidery I had been working on that was about love. I got him a Marty Mouse of his own, and some cat grass to take with him to the Bridge.

Now I am nervous about the others. At the moment, they seem to be ok. However, I think mumcat (who we have nearly decided will be named Stella) is still young herself, and she doesn't seem to be particularly attentive. I have formula and feeding supplies, and will just have to keep a close eye on them.

While I have had other fosters that have died, I had never actually seen them after they had passed. Seeing Elijah was like seeing the other five with him, and came as a real shock. It is something I pray I don't see again.

22 comments:

AM said...

We are so sorry for you. We are tearing up just reading your post and are keeping you and the rest of the babies in our prayers. It is comforting to know that Elijah was loved so much in his short time here on earth. Bless you!

Cory said...

This is so sad, but he was with his momma and brothers/sisters and foster family. He was loved so much. We will purr and pray for the rest of the little family and my momma Ellie will do her best to send attentive mothering thoughts to Stella to get her through this.

Cat with a Garden said...

Oh my, poor Elijah. He had to go through too much at a very young age. It is lovely that you gave him a good resting spot in your garden. We purr for the little tiny one. So sad to lose one of them. Surely the others will make it once the mom has settled in. We are thinking of all of you and are sending our best purrs.
Siena & Chilli

Goldie, Shade and Banshee said...

We were just going to send a comment about the arrival of the new babies when we saw the new post.

We are so very sorry about Elijah. We was surrounded by love and the care in which you buried him has left the PM leaking.

Purrs and cuddles to you all and very gentle hugs of welcome to the new family.

Purrs Goldie, Shade and Banshee

Anonymous said...

We are so very sorry. The bridge must have needed a tiny boy kitty right away.

Mom's cream colored Peke Sha Na once had a litter of pups with one puppy who never grew at all. When his litter mates eyes and ears were opening his stayed shut. When he was 2 and a half weeks old he was still nearly exactly the size he was when he was born. He died in Mom's hands one very sad evening. The Vet had checked him several times during those weeks and could find nothing wrong. He was nursing fine and all his heart and lung sounds were fine. Sometimes, they just can't stay down here on Earth very long.

((Hugs))

Angel, Kirby and Max said...

It is always a sad day when a baby is called home so young. There will be mommy kitties at the bridge to take care of your sweet Elijah. We are sending purrs that his mom Stella settles in and takes care of the rest of her babies.

Kaz's Cats said...

We're so sorry that tiny little Elijah had to leave for the bridge when he was so young. It's lovely that you found a nice spot in your garden to lay him to rest. Don't know much about what you can look out for in the other kitties - sounds like you're well-prepared and watchful. We're gonna purr and purray for all of you, especially Stella and the littlies...

{{{hugs}}}

Gypsy & Tasha & Karen (Mum)

Cats~Goats~Quotes said...

We are so, so sorry to read about Eliijah. Heaven and The Bridge are richer, but know your heart is breaking.

Thank you for coming by our blog and leaving nice words about KittyBoy.

((((Hugs))))
~ The Bunch and Momma Bobbie

Cliff and Olivia said...

So sad. We hope the rest of the cute bunch are going to be fine.

Purrs.

Thoughts said...

Oh no, this is terrible news. We are so very sorry about Elijah. we will be sending warm thoughts and purr-rayers your way today. We send them to the rest of the babies too.

Purrs,
Theodore and sasha

Daisy said...

I am glad that at least tiny Elijah got to know love, comfort and a full tummy before he had to go to the Bridge, and has friends to mourn his passing. Soft purrs to you.

Tama-Chan, Benny, Vidock, Violette, Ollie, Heloise, Momo, Ryu said...

We are with you and share your pain, and hope with all our hearts that the other kittens make it.

Ana said...

Those are really sad news and sure it wasn't nice to see little Elijah like that. We purr hard the other kittens are doing well!

Unknown said...

Oh noooes we are only jus catchin up and am sorry to hears of the babe passin. Purrs and headbutts to yoo all.

Mommy Bean here ... I am sorry to hear of the little one. I know too well the feeling as I have had a few kittens pass in my own hands. The mother cat had pushed them to the side and I felt I could help. Sometimes mommmy cats know better than we. (((hugs))) to you and for all that you do for the kitties!

The Island Cats said...

Oh I am so sad to hear about Elijah! A tiny soul that didn't have the chance to flourish! I pray that the other babies are okay.

Island Cats' Mom

Mickey's Musings said...

While we are happy the 'surprise' was a Mother cat and her new babies, we are very sad one of them could not stay.Sometimes these things happen, and it is very sad.
Elijah was lucky to be born in a place where he was cared for when he was born and after he passed.
There will be a mighty crowd to welcome him to the Bridge.
{{{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}

Purrs Mickey, Georgia & Tillie

(angel) Grrreta and Fam said...

We are so sorry to hear the sad news about Elijah. Our eyes started leaking when we read about lovely gifts you gave him to take with him to the bridge. It is comforting to know he knew so much love in only three days of life. We are sending you lots of comforting purrs and gentle hugs.

Angel MoMo and Charlotte said...

We are so sorry to hear about this. I am purring hard for momma kitty Stella and the rest of the litter. So very thoughtful and sweet of you to send Elijah on his journey with such wonderful keepsakes.

Hugs and purrs to you!!!

Forever Dad said...

My heart goes out to you honey.

On a lighter note, I think it's cute that you buried a baby kitten with an army entrenching tool.

Anonymous said...

Poor little Elijah. We are so proud of you that you were so tender with him - getting him grass for the bridge and all. We send our love and purrs to you all.

RIP little one.

PDX pride said...

I know I'm posting a few days later, but I also know the hurt is still there. Hugs, hugs, hugs, hugs, hugs, hugs, hugs, hugs, hugs! It is hard, and I wish I could say it gets easier, but with time the alive ones you have will heal your heart a little with their life and their antics.

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry that little Elijah did not make it, and even worse that you had to see what was him. Just remember that what you saw was not him but his vessel, he is now a beautiful little spirit body free...
warm hugs from all of us here :)))