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I stopped to see a weeping willow
Crying on his pillow maybe he's crying for me
And as the skies turn gloomy
Night blooms will whisper to me I'm lonesome as I can be... Pasty Cline
It was just after midnight on November 14th. Under the bright full moon and with the wind howling fiercely she chased leaf after leaf around the front lawn, determined to catch and crush each one under her mighty paws. She'd get down low to the ground, put her butt up in the air and when the wiggle started and the tail began to twitch I knew something was about to be pounced and but good. Every now and then she'd run over to the concrete walkway and roll around on it, revealing in the the texture of how it felt to her after knowing mostly only carpets and linoleum the last few years. The wind would rush again suddenly she'd perk up and be off chasing another leaf across the yard. For a while she just sat there, sniffing the wind with her mouth open to taste it and taking in the view and the odors, all her kitty senses fully engaged and looking every bit like her larger African cousins. We stayed out a good hour or so crushing leaves and chasing shadows until she lead the way back inside...I think she had a blast. At least it looked like she was smiling afterward. She looked so healthy and happy, I refused to believe she was dying.
About five years ago she was abandoned by her owners and was found trapped under a sliding gate. When she came to me a couple of days later she was about a year and a half old, all flea ridden with patchy fur and bad skin, a little bag of bones barely weighing in at 8 pounds. When I took her out of the box she could hardly walk but she came right over to me and rubbed up against my leg, looked up and me a gave a little squeak - the most noise she could muster at the time. She had my heart from that first squeak. My boyfriend who was living with me at the time was allergic to cats and I already had one in the house so under the condition that he got to name her she was allowed to stay. That's how she she came to be named Dimples, or Miss Dimpy for short.
I had her cleaned up, fixed and vaccinated. Within a couple of weeks I found out that she had a huge purr, the kind that could be heard from the other side of the room and she turned out to be a Maine Coon, a breed of some considerable size and beautiful long plush fur. She was very social, always wanting to be where we were but never wanting to be touched. She was not a lap cat or the kind that would try to get your attention, she was much happier observing you just out of arms reach and attempts to pick her up where met with much resistance. But with all that tempting soft fur I just had to touch her. About four years ago I started a routine with her; early in the morning when I first got out of bed I go I'd pick her up and sit down on the couch for a little cuddle. At first she leapt out of my arms immediately, not wanting to be touched more or less held. Eventually she hung around a little longer and longer and learned that ear rubbings where fantastic and shoulder rubbings where the best thing ever and she'd push her face into my shoulder while purring that giant purr and letting me give her a little massage, loving to be touched after all. But only by me, and only first thing in the morning. Mustn't stray from the routine in a cat's world. I so looked forward to that every day, it was my 'Dimpy time'.
Dimples was a trouble-maker. I think I called her that as often as I used her real name. She had a knack for opening doors, even locked ones. She'd break into the bedroom where the other cat was sleeping just to eat her food, which was the same as hers but I guess she thought it was better since she had to work for it. She loved plastic bags so much that when she first got sick I was convinced she'd finally swallowed some plastic. She recently learned how to break into the pantry and pull them down to her level; I had to find a new place to store them after finding them strewen across the pantry floor a few days in a row. Her favorite thing though was my shoes. She couldn't wait for me to take off my shoes so she could stick her nose in them and lay on them and wrap her paws around them. Crazy cat. She was a wonderful greeter - sitting up in the front window she'd talk and flirt with anyone who came to the front door, including me. I'm so going to miss seeing her fuzzy little face and hearing her squeaky voice.
Just four weeks ago today she was diagnosed with feline leukemia. Today, I had to do the hardest thing ever and let her go. For weeks now I've been trying to tempt her with every thing I can think of, convinced that if I could just get her to eat she'd feel better (a little bad human logic, I know) but she's refused to eat and turned her nose up at the most delecticable treats. At her largest she was 17 pounds; today she weighed just 9.5. Up until a few days ago she was still acting perky and interested but the last few days and today it was clear she was begining to suffer. The Doctor confirmed it and reassured me I was doing the right thing. I wasn't ready. Even knowing it was coming, even having these last few weeks to cherish her and love on her and take her for midnight walks and doing whatever she wanted, it wasn't enough. It's so hard to let go. I miss her so much already. 
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read more blogs!
Blogs by TallBlonde1:
| Walking After Midnight.... |
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scorpiogirl36
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Nov 29 @ 9:25PM
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I'm so sorry....my deepest sympathies go out to you.
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missliss78
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Nov 29 @ 9:52PM
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TB, It was all I could do to read this blog thru my tears.
Still now, I can barely type with these tears running down my face.
My soul aches for you & for Dimples.
I am so sorry she's crossed over that bridge & left you alone, but she is resting now.
My thoughts & prayers are with you during this difficult period of adjustment that I know you are going thru. Lots of love to you.  M
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Loreli
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Nov 29 @ 10:26PM
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Oh sweetie.....I am sorry for your loss 
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luvshorses644
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Nov 29 @ 10:51PM
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OMG.. K...
I am so sorry. I understand the pain you are having at this moment, as I put down my Brandy this February. Anyone that hasn't experienced the love of an animal, hasn't seen the purest form of unconditional love. They are always there, they hear our tears, they rejoice with us when we are happy, and they sense everything before it happens sometimes.
You and Dimples had a special relationship and there will be a void in your life. She will, however, be waiting for you on the other side and you will see her again.. and she was a beauty! My daughter has a maine coon.
I am soo sorry....
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fenderchick
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Nov 29 @ 10:59PM
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I'm so sorry sweetie
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redtigr
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Nov 29 @ 11:36PM
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What a beautiful story. Thank you for giving her a wonderful life, and so much happiness - and for knowing when to let her go.
I know you will miss her. My condolences to you.
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mystery2u888
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Nov 30 @ 12:19AM
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I am soo sorry.....sweetie....... 
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Peabianjay
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Nov 30 @ 1:25AM
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maggiemae684
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Nov 30 @ 4:27AM
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hugs TB....nothing I can say will make the pain of losing your sweet baby go away. You were both blessed by finding each other and having those years together....although she has now moved on to the Rainbow Bridge she remains in your heart forever....
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misschoos
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Nov 30 @ 5:37AM
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TallBlonde1
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Nov 30 @ 8:42AM
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I am unable to respond individually at this time.....I wanted to say thank you so much. My heart is broken and my grief is overwhelming...I keep expecting to see her come around the corner...this is going to take a some time....
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butterfly943
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Nov 30 @ 12:16PM
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Im so sorry for your loss
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summerbreeze916
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Nov 30 @ 9:30PM
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My thoughts and prayers are with you, TB...........
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