We lost our precious Italian Greyhound (Newton)
with and ongoing bought of intestinal ulcers and bacteria
infection. He was the love of my life and his sweet and
gentle personality was enduring. He would love to sleep
under the blankets with you at night. He would prance and
jump around happily. He knew he was loved and had the best
possible home he could have. The days are long and the
sadness if almost overwhelming, but I will continue to remember
Newton and all the joy and lover he gave his family. He
would not want me to be sad. He has crossed the rainbow
bridge and is happy and healthy and running and playing.
Niko, January
14, 2019
"A true friend leaves paw prints on your heart" Rest in the
sweetest peace baby boy. I love you so much.
Noelle Glen,
12/29/09 - 02/09/19
My dearly beloved Noelle, with deep grief and numbness I try to
write your tribute. You are my love.I will love you always and
miss you till the day I die. Stolen from me in your prime, you
were so full of love, devotion, joyful energy,and silliness. Dear
spirited Noelle, you were my constant devoted companion,my forever
friend, my world, my everything. You were my family along with
Zoey, not my pet. Whenever I was down, you were the
one who lifted me up. You taught me that love conquers all
and to persevere even when times are tough because love will get
you through. You taught me to love unconditionally each and every
moment. To experience the full essence of life with all of my
senses. You taught me that patience is a virtue and
eventually good things will happen again. You just have to trust
that they will. You taught me to keep striving to be present
in the moment because that is when life is most full and happy.
You taught me to always make time for fun because that is the key
to a joyful life. You taught me to face a scary thing with courage
because eventually you can work your way through it. You taught me
to be kind to strangers because they each could become your friend
and to show others you are happy to see them. At the end, you
taught me to make the most of each day and savor the richness and
fullness of life right to your final moments. Most importantly you
taught me that love lasts forever and nothing, not even death
itself or time can ever break that bond between us. So many
lessons from one tiny golden retriever with a pure heart of love.
My precious dear beautiful Noelle.
You brought love and joy and a zest for living back into my life
after the loss of your dear granduncle, Sunny. You brought a
happy light and love back into our home. You and I , we went
through so much together helping each other through surgeries and
health issues, sharing happy times and sad ones too. But through
it all , we were there for each other. In our photos, I see the
brightness in your eyes, the joy of gratefulness and love for the
life we lead. I treasure your unbridled devotion and love for me
right to the very end. I hope you know that every little thing I
did for you was done out of immense love my precious dear. Each
and every act made my heart so full I thought it would burst from
singing you our eye drops song" It's time for your eyedrops this
morning Baby Noelle. It's time for your eye drops today" and
waiting for you to come trotting around the corner. You were so
brave and patient getting your drops, much better than me at the
eye doctor. And then I would sing the teeth brushing song"
Brush your teeth. Brush your teeth. It is time to brush your
teeth.. so early in the morning... Nice and clean and shiny bright
and healthy pink gums too! Now we're going to do the other
side and get them nice and shiny white and healthy pink gums too!"
You really didn't mind this at all and tried to lick the flavored
toothpaste as I did your teeth. It also brought me much
peace giving you baths and watching you bask with delight in the
heat from the dryer and towel massages. You brought me laughter
with your silliness when I tried to brush and comb you and you'd
whirl round and round till you'd flop over and end up full of leaf
litter. It would also make me laugh when I'd still be at the table
at the end of a meal, you'd stand up to give me a hug, placing
your paws around my shoulders and sneaking in a few sideways
licks of the dishes. I was so happy to see how thrilled you were
when I started cooking for you to make you healthier. You showed
me your thankfulness with your exuberant kangaroo hops the entire
time I was preparing your meal, bounce, bounce, bounce, and it
made me laugh to see you carry your full , heavy food dish to your
bed or carpet so you could more easily get the food out of it. I
loved our hide and seek games with your toys and regret I didn't
do more of that with you. We both loved to play outside with your
ball and the agility jump. I loved seeing you happily jump over it
with ease until the very last few days of your time on this earth.
We had so much fun in your agility classes too and you always
liked to do it your way, often choosing your own course. Our
defining legacy is our hikes at Hudson Mills and Kensington. Oh
Noelle,I hope you know how much it meant to me to see you keep
gazing up at me lovingly so often and gently nudging my hand or
knee as we walked the beautiful paths. Then when you'd always hug
me by the river, that made my heart soar. All was right with the
world. You were with me and I with you and our love knew no
bounds. Time stood still , right there in the present and I wished
it would never end. Our hikes were so amazing and one time we even
logged 9.5 miles together. It reminded of that song, Follow me
where I go ... all the way... all around. You and I , we went
everywhere on the parks and trails and saw so much. You waited so
patiently as I took photos and we enjoyed our snack and water
times too. You received so many compliments from passersby and
after they'd leave you'd give me that little knowing look that
said, " see, I told you so." You tried to teach me how to
always live in the present. I am sorry for the times I got too
wrapped up in FB and the computer to notice you were right there
waiting for me with love. I regret the time I wasted doing
something so useless. Sometimes I'd be wrapped up in watching the
birds and you'd try to see what I was doing. I'd help you to stand
and see and then you'd watch them right along with me. Even during
your last week, you and Zoey enjoyed watching the squirrels and
birds outside the doorwall. I treasure the memories of you always
being right at the door to greet me when I'd get home and I was so
thankful that the little song I made up for you, "Baby Noelle,
Baby Noelle, She's my little Baby Noelle, boomp, boomp, " made you
so happy as you'd wrap your paws around me while standing on your
hind legs and we'd dance around, your tail wagging and wagging
while you had a beaming grin on your face. Then you'd excitedly
get down and start whirling around , looking for your favorite
ball or tug toy to take outside so we could play once more. Back
and forth over the jump you'd fly , dropping your ball or tug toy
at my feet, ready for another round. In the summer , we'd add your
weave poles and tunnel to our fun routine. Sometimes you'd stop in
the middle of it all , just to give me a hug again. I loved
hugging you back and kissing your sweet face and smelling the top
of your head. I loved how your body felt as I wrapped my arms
around you, feeling your fuzzy belly and your paws tightly around
me. We stood there a while, you and I just grateful for each
other's love.
You even shared my exercises with me, lying right near by and
sometimes you'd crack me up when you'd stand right over me and I
couldn't move. Sometimes you'd lie right across my yoga mat and I
didn't want to move you so I'd do the yoga on the floor! Whenever
I'd use the elliptical or play with Zoey, you added your version
of getting in on the activity by chewing on your bone right by us
or pushing your Ted Ted or tug toy around making them grunt or
squeak. And I never knew why you even wanted to help me
vacuum. Even though the noise was so loud, still you'd follow me
from room to room to supervise the whole procedure.
You were such a quick learner and it was so much fun watching you
get the button and even this past year, you learned how to spin
and to twirl.
On some lazy evenings or weekends, it was so peaceful to have you
right by me on the sofa or in your bed, sometimes chewing , along
with Zoey while I'd be working on crafts or reading. When it was
time for bed, you'd leap up so gracefully , positioning your self
right at the foot. But when I was settled in, you'd turn around
and place your head and forepaws right across my legs. It has been
so hard to sleep without feeling you by me.
I loved looking around when we were driving somewhere and seeing
you sitting in your seatbelt right behind me watching the world go
by, ready for the next adventure. You would sit there so
thoughtfully after I took your leash off ,really thinking about
everything before you decided to get out of the car.
I'll never forget your shoulder hugs when I was sitting on the
floor. No one could have taught you that. You'd lean your head
over my shoulder and give me a loving squeeze that I wished could
last forever.
When I'd work out front, I loved seeing you and Zoey looking out
of the door watching me. It made me feel you really cared about
me.
Everything this last Christmas together was so beautiful that I
wanted it to never end. I told myself we'd do it all next year,
but why was it so hard to let that Christmas go. Our beautiful
tree with lights all aglow, listening to all of our beautiful
songs together and the thought crossed my mind that one day the
song with your beautiful name in it might one day cause me tears
and bring me to my knees, but it will also make me think of all of
these beautiful times together and our eternal love.
How I'd give anything to just be starting this journey with you
all over again my love ,to once more gaze into your beautiful
loving eyes looking right at me. I long for the day when
we'll be together forever in eternity never to be separated from
each other again. Please visit me in my dreams my love and if it's
possible, please send me signs from your heavenly home, my sweet
angel Noelle.
Nola Grace,
6/7/2006 - 6/28/2013
My heart still aches for my little doxie Nola Grace.
Maw Maw and Paw Paw love the Nollie girl ♥️♥️
Notchie, 2000 -
06-01-19
We moved into our home 17 years ago this coming June 12. A few
days after moving in, we were greeted at our back door by a pretty
grey tabby. She resembled one of our other kitties that had
crossed rainbow bridge just a few years earlier and I immediately
thought, oh my, its "Thomas" coming to say hello. It stared at me
intently with those greenish eyes and of course I ran to get some
food to feed it. Anyone who knows anything about cats knows that
this would not be the last time it would be fed...
Sure enough, every evening as I returned home from work, I would
look out to see if she was there and like clockwork, or within the
hour, she would appear.
She was about a year or so old and was as skittish as a feral cat
could be. She seemed healthy and aside from the notch in her left
ear, she did not have any other wounds or injuries. I named her
Notchie...
Summer turned to fall and fall turned to winter and I began to
worry about this kitty and the up and coming cold that the
Northeast is known for.
As days went on, she would spend more and more time on our back
deck. I would make makeshift shelters to shield her from the
elements but was not really sure what I should do. The moment I
opened the back door, off she would go and stare at me from a
distance until the food was down and I was back inside behind a
closed door. Then, and only then, would she return to eat.
This went on for fourteen years. Fourteen years of cold snowy
bitter winters and hot sunny sweltering summers. As the years went
on, we became much better at providing shelters, and over the
years, purchased several heated houses for her to sleep in.
As is usually the case when feeding outdoor kitties, word gets
around quickly, and we were soon joined by other kitties. Notchie
did not take too kindly to having her space invaded and would
steer clear of any and all confrontations. I began to see how she
remained injury free for all her years outdoors. Eventually, the
back deck became too crowded for her and I was able to "lead" her
to the front of our home which had a covered porch. She seemed to
like this much better and soon took up residence on our rocking
chairs which is where I would find her every morning.
She never had a litter of kittens and I realized she was really
not a feral cat, but must have at some point, belonged to someone
who had her spayed.
In the winter I wold enlist the help of my husband who would build
shelters for her to protect her from the harsh winds snow and the
driving cold winter rains. At times I would approach our home and
it was beginning to resemble a little kitty tent city; with walls
to keep the wind out and covers and tarps to protect and keep
things dry. I would so pray for the winters to be over and so she
could once again enjoy the nice spring weather, that is until the
sweltering summers and again I would worry about her. Aside from
providing cold water and shade, there was nothing more I could do
to make her comfortable in the summer, and she just would not let
me get close.
As the years went on, she would allow me maybe one step closer
each year but never close enough to touch. Many times during those
14 years especially during the summer, she would disappear for a
week or two and I would wonder if she had moved on, found her way
back to her owners, or if she had met with some awful fate. To my
joy, she would return, thinner and scragglier than when I last saw
her and I would immediately begin the process of fattening her up
again.
One summer, in my fourteenth year of feeding her, I sat on the
rocking chair near her food and I waited. Slowly she came, never
taking her eyes off of me, but hungry enough that she could not
resist the food. She began to eat, and with every bite she would
look up at me. It was during one of these times that I was able to
touch her fur. She immediately ran off and looked at me as if to
say how dare you. I on the other hand was surprised I could sit
still as I was beyond thrilled that I was able to touch her. I
decided to make this my mission. It was fourteen years in the
making and winter would soon be upon us. She was now easily 15+
years old and I worried that at her age she just could not
withstand another year outdoors.
Every day I would feed and wait and when the opportunity arose, I
would reach out and touch. Eventually the distance she would run
became less and less. PROGRESS!!
November rolled around and still no luck getting Notchie indoors.
I tried everything I could think of. We had a bedroom window right
off of the porch and many a night I would leave it open and put
her food in the room, while watching from another window to see if
she would come in, but no such luck. She would win the battle and
again I would feed her outdoors.
As word got out that I had touched Notchie, it became a challenge,
for all my neighbors who had by then come to know and love
Notchie, to want to touch her too. It became the equivalent of
winning an academy award to be able to announce that you had
touched Notchie. A day did not go by without someone saying, "Hey,
I saw Notchie. She let me touch her"!
Winter was in full swing come December, and still no luck getting
her inside. We erected the "tent city" on the porch again, and
prayed for the best.
One cold snowy day in January, I came home for lunch as I always
did during the winter months, to check on her and give her fresh
food and warm water as her uneaten food and water had frozen over
since the morning. I walked onto the porch looking for her, and as
I approached the front door, there she came, my poor 15 1/2 year
old kitty, slowly walking up to me covered in snow and ice. How
helpless I felt, longing to just reach down and grab her and wipe
away the cold snow and ice from her soft little body.
As I stood there with my hand on the door wanting to rush in and
get her some warm food, I asked what are you gonna do Notchie? She
sat on a dry part of the porch and stared at me. Out of just sheer
frustration on my part, I asked again as I opened the door, what
are you gonna do little girl? She looked at me with those green
eyes of hers and she stood up from where she sat. I froze in my
tracks and just watched her. She slowly took a step or two in my
direction and I could feel myself holding my breath. She slowly
walked up to the front door and took a peek inside my foyer. She
turned her head around to look at the still falling snow and
slowly and proudly walked in to my home. Having 6 other cats
indoors I immediately realized I had to keep them from her and
vice versa until she could be checked out.
Once inside, I was able to direct her towards that room on the
first floor and I closed the door. I was shaking. I don't know if
it was from the total elation and exhilaration I felt, or if it
was from my standing on the porch waiting for her to make a move.
Either way, all I know was Notchie was inside.
Notchie received a clean bill of health at the vets and they were
absolutely amazed that she had survived outdoors for so long. But
it was the last time she would ever go outside again.
Notchie became kitty number 7 for us, and just as she was outside,
she had very little interaction with my other 6 cats. They would
come and sniff her and watch her from afar but as if they knew,
she was a force to be reckoned with and they did not bother her.
As was the case with "Thomas", who was the one kitty my husband
had found and was his baby, Notchie, took a shining to my husband.
He would come home before I would and you could be sure to find
Notchie on his lap or on the sofa in the general area from where
he sat. She would follow him everywhere and would eventually
become part of the brood in our bed at night.
Notchie had the most amazing and loudest purr I ever heard in a
kitty. She would purr so loudly at times she would almost choke
and would cough.
Over the past year, Notchie began to lose weight. I first thought
it might be diabetes but further studies confirmed she had
hyperthyroidism and the onset of kidney disease. Something to be
expected in an almost 19 year old kitty. We started the process of
administering her meds and hoping she could start putting some
weight back on. She lost her hearing but yet she was sharp and
smart and we would show her her bowl and she would follow you to
her spot to eat.
She never did put on the weight and in fact lost more. We were
beginning to realize she did not have much time left.
We made all efforts as is the usual case, visiting the vet,
praying for a miracle, but she was by now pretty much on her 9th
life.
She developed a nose bleed which the doctors said was an upper
respiratory and she probably had ruptured a few capillaries while
sneezing. We eventually got the bleeding under control but she
continued to decline and began to eat less and less. We pureed her
food and administered via a syringe to make sure she was getting
something to eat,and then she would show signs of improvement and
eat on her own. It was encouraging, but short lived.
I had made my peace with Notchie on Tuesday May 28th, thanking her
for all the love she gave us over the past three and a half
years,and was all set to let her cross over the rainbow bridge,
but my husband would have nothing of it. He came home from work
and said today is not the day. We will take her to be checked out,
but I am not putting her down today. I respected his wishes and
again we were at the vet hoping to hear a miracle. She was down to
6.44 pounds, down from 6.5 just a few days prior. He took time off
from work and stayed with her, literally 24/7, in his den, feeding
her, giving her medication and holding her on his lap, which is
where she wanted to be. He slept in the downstairs bedroom, that
she had walked into 3 1/2 years earlier, holding her and loving
her. He placed her favorite blanket on the bed right by his head
and there she would curl up and sleep. This went on for three
days.
She was drinking lots of water and using the box but was now
throwing up, mostly liquid as her food intake was nowhere what it
should be.
On Saturday morning, he came upstairs and announced its time. He
would know best as he had watched her over the past three days. He
had noticed her decline as she was slightly disoriented now, maybe
from lack of food or the meds or her declining health or a
combination of everything.
Knowing how difficult it would be to deal with everything later
on, I began to clean up as discreetly as possible, as my husband
was having a real hard time right about now. It was just 7AM and
the vet did not open for another hour and a half.
I was able to get an appointment for 10:30 which would allow him a
bit more time with her.
This cat had walked into our lives and in the short time she
shared with us, had shown us what a special kitty she was. She was
sassy and independent and proud and beautiful and she was the most
grateful kitty I have ever had the fortune of meeting.
I have had many cats during my lifetime, and I have had to say
goodbye to more than I care to mention. They have all lived good
long lives with us, with one having lived almost 22 years. They
have all taken a piece of our heart with them. And every new cat
who comes into our lives gifts us with a piece of their heart.
They can never be replaced, and each and every one was and are
special in their own way. All my kitties are rescues or were found
on the streets by either my hubby or I. Notchie on the other hand,
chose us. She took 14 years to decide if she could trust us or not
and I am so grateful that she trusted us enough to allow us to
love her even if it was for just a short time. The void she has
created is amazing considering we have six other cats to care for.
She had a neighborhood of neighbors and friends caring for her and
loving her and coming by in her last days to say goodbye to her.
She was truly a special girl and will forever be missed. Go on now
Notchie and run wild and free and maybe, just maybe, you will
allow, Maxie, Rocky, Sparky, Thomas, Casey, Maya, Cali and Pittles
to eat and play with you. Love you my little Notcherina.
Year 2019
Tributes
