Farewell Sweet Sassy

Sassy traveled over the Rainbow Bridge today and collected her wings.  Is there any decision more difficult than determining that a pet's quality of life is suffering and making the decision to let them go?  Not many, in my mind. 

Sassy was somewhere around 108 18 years old and lived a good life here.  She was the Queen of the castle, small in stature but mighty in attitude!  They say Torties have an attitude and in Sassy's case, it could not have been more true.  She didn't like to be picked up and would not hesitate to scratch if you tried.  If she wanted to be petted, she would crawl into your lap and rub her face over you, depositing her scent as approval for your attention.  She was quite happy to spend hours of her day under the front steps, in the cool and damp shade or sprawled out in the bathroom window, away from the prying nose of Sir Titan.  She was highly independent, seldom came when called (unless it was to eat) and a good mouse/chipmunk catcher (often bringing them to the door for praise and approval).

She tolerated the dog sniffing her butt and chasing her if she chose to move faster than at a snail's pace.  She slept in boxes and laundry baskets, on tables and chairs but never, ever would you find her in a dedicated cat bed!  She was above that sillyness. 

She preferred to eat her food fresh every.single.time and would cry impatiently as though she was starving, although we knew otherwise.  Although she had fresh water available, nothing was more fresh than a lightly dripping faucet.  She had no problem dunking her head under a running faucet to quench her thirst; however, it had to be dripping at just the right speed.  I must admit, this little quirk drove me crazy but Bill always willingly accommodated her. 

She had one of the biggest litter boxes made by man and could still spray litter everywhere.  

She handled all the foster puppies with cool indifference, even though it meant she was moved from her laundry room accommodations, into the smaller office area.  She seemed to enjoy sleeping on top of the warm computer printer, based on the footprints found there.

Her health declined over the past 18 months, after being diagnosed with kidney disease.  Although we purchased the very expensive special kidney diet food, she refused to eat it, as though starving herself to death would be a better option.  So, she won, we lost and she continued to beg and plead for her preferred Little Friskies. 

While we traveled to Florida the past four years, Sassy spent her winters with some very special people in Maine.  Many thanks to Jerry, Julie, Beth & Barry for fostering her through the cold, snowy months until our return in the spring.  We knew she was well loved and well cared for during our absence.

Unfortunately, over the past few weeks, Sassy had virtually stopped eating, grew very thin, lost an abundance of fur, showed signs of labored breathing and cried more often than not.  The time had come to make the decision to free her to fly among the angels.

Good-bye Sweet Sassy, thank you for sharing your life with us; we will miss you very much.  Now...go play ;o)

Lounging in the bathroom window

What do you mean this is your spot?  I don't think so!

She used to rub us the same way when she wanted attention

Enjoying some time in the warm weather

Good-bye Sweet Sassy...8/19/13

Thanks for stopping by...
;o)