RIP Mister Kitty

My name is Mister Kitty.

I went to Heaven last night.

I'm not here to share the story of my death.
I'm here to share the story of my life...

In my few short months here on Earth, I was so proud to be the Lucky Dog Rescue kitty. I was the only kitty there, which made me the luckiest kitty in the whole wide world.  

But early on... I didn't feel so "lucky."

When I was just a tiny baby kitten, I was dumped on the Lucky Dog property by some not-so-nice people. They threw me out of their car and drove away real fast... without me. It was the meanest thing that's ever happened to me, and I was just so scared to be alone in the dark.

After that happened, I knew I couldn't trust people much... so I hid out in the bushes, hoping that no one would find me...

But even though I tried to pick the very best hiding spot, it didn't take long for someone to find me. Her name was Miss Ashley. The day after I was dumped, she was walking this big ole dog right past me, when she spotted me hiding there in the bushes. She stopped, smiled, and said, "Well hello there, Mister Kitty."

But I wouldn't dare come out for her. No way! I was just too scared. So... I felt pretty relieved when Miss Ashley walked away from me. But then, a couple of minutes later, she came right back, with 2 bowls: one food, one water.

Each day, Miss Ashley would come back to my secret hiding spot, with more food and more water. She'd never force me to come out of the bushes, but I could tell that she really wanted me to.

Even though she was so nice to me, I still didn't trust her. But if I'm being honest... I felt some comfort in the words she'd always say: "Maybe you don't like me, Mister Kitty, but I sure do love you. Maybe one day you'll love me, too."

I guess now would be a good time to tell you... that I'm actually A GIRL KITTY... NOT a Mister Kitty. But since I'd never come out of those bushes to let Miss Ashley get a good look at me... it took her a while to realize that I was really a girl. But either way, I kinda liked that name: Mister Kitty. I'm a tough little kitty... so the name felt right, and it stuck. 

Over time, I got a little more brave, and I started to follow Miss Ashley around the property. I didn't know why... but I really wanted to love her as much as she loved me. She never forced herself on me, and I think that's why I liked her. She slowly gained my trust, and soon... she stole my heart. 

But it took me a while to realize... that I'd stolen her heart, too.

Missy & Mister Kitty

One day, I was being my silly kitty self, and I climbed right up a real big tree. While I was up there, on top of the world, my leg got stuck between the branches, and I couldn't get back down. I was up there for a real long time, and I was so scared that Miss Ashley would never find me.

Finally, I heard her calling, "Mister Kitty?!" from real far away. So, I let out the loudest meow I could muster, hoping it would help her find me. Then, she came running toward me, looking up in the trees, until her eyes found mine. And do you know what she did?? Miss Ashley climbed right up to the top of that tree... freed my leg, secured me in her arms, and brought me back down to safety.

That's when I knew that Miss Ashley would always be there for me, and finally... I knew that I was home...

Being a kitty who lived at Lucky Dog Rescue, I soon decided that I wanted to be a dog instead. I quickly learned which dogs liked me... and which dogs didn't. I had the best time of my life living as a "Lucky Dog."

But yesterday, I got hurt, and I cried out for Miss Ashley. She ran to me, scooped me up, and rushed me to the vet just as fast as she could. My body was going into shock, and I was so scared. I could tell that Miss Ashley was real scared, too, but she didn't want to show it.

In the car, my Ashley-Mom was crying. As she gently rubbed my head, she was pleading with me, "Please, Mister Kitty... just hold on for me. I'm right here, and we're gonna get you all better. Please, just stay with me."

I wanted to stay with her forever, but I knew in my heart that I wasn't going to make it. But Miss Ashley didn't know that yet... or she just refused to believe it, because she wasn't ready to let me go.

When we got there, Miss Ashley was sobbing as she talked to the vet. Then... she looked at me, and gave me one last hug, one last kiss, and one last "I love you." That's how I knew it was okay to go.

I left my Ashley-Mom for Heaven on November 20, 2011.

Today, my Ashley-Mom and Miss Caycee buried me at Lucky Dog Rescue. As Miss Caycee covered my body with dirt, Miss Ashley sat on the ground next to me, and sobbed. She didn't know that I could see her, but I was right there with her the whole time. I've always been right there with her... since my very first day here... and I'll never really be gone...

When she gets to Heaven, my Ashley-Mom hopes to see a long line of dogs waiting to greet her. But now... a kitty will be waiting there too. A Mister Kitty, the Lucky Dog kitty.

*Dear Mister Kitty, my heart is so broken today. For months now, you've been right here by my side... my constant companion. I hope you know just how amazing it was for me... as you learned to trust me... to love me. It was nothing short of incredible. I save dogs for a living, but you were the kitty who stole my heart, in a way I didn't know was possible. I hope you know just how much I love you, and just how much I miss you. Now, there's a huge hole here at Lucky Dog... where you used to be. And there's a Mister-Kitty-sized-hole... in my heart. Love, Mom