a bittersweet farewell

just before midnight on christmas eve we had to put down our beloved baby grandma, miss madji (aka mrs. bigglesworth, biggie, biggles). her health started to decline last monday. she had chronic kidney disease and arthritis, and we did our best to keep her comfortable in her golden years.

madji was a happy, playful kitty. we noticed she wasn't going number two and thought she was just constipated, but it turned out to be a symptom of more serious issues. though most cats will go into hiding when they are ill, madj stayed by our side and even played a little and hopped up into bed with us on her final morning.

john and i thought she would get better, so it was a shock when the vet said there was nothing they could do to help her. although she was about 17 years old, we were devastated. we find comfort in knowing she is no longer suffering.

john never had a pet before and was never really fond of animals. that is until we took madji in two years ago, after my father could no longer give her the attention she needed. she would lay on john's chest each night before bed and wake us every morning. i would joke that he loved her more than me, but i was totally fine with that.=) they spent their days together and i believe this is why she held on so long. she was given so much love and attention, which proved to be her best medicine. we miss her terribly but feel so blessed to have had her in our lives.