Lucy, RIP

On July 30, 2003 I sent out notification of the death of Mr Kitty, one of the three cats Tom Walker and I herded during our relationship together. Not much more than a year later, I am writing to inform you of the death of Lucy, the third of our "children". (Merlin, the youngest of the three, died in 1999.)

The actual diagnosis did not come through, but all signs pointed to intestinal cancer. She deteriorated rapidly over the past month -- even over the last few days. Tom, as Lucy's caregiver, elected to ease her pain and arranged for a home visit from a vet from Takoma Park Animal Clinic. At roughly 9 pm this evening, at Tom's home, Lucy's suffering ended. As with Mister Kitty's death, I was privileged to be there for her final moments, and I was also thankful for Kevin Kiger's presence. I offered a prayer of thanks for Lucy's life and the gift of her companionship.

I have attached a picture of Lucy that I took today, within the last hour or so of her life. Even ill, she was still quite the beautiful beast.

Thank you all for having come into our (Tom's, mine, our extended family of cats and dogs and friends and partners) lives, and thank you for the concern and support you have expressed, and please keep us (especially Tom, whose life was most touched by Lucy) in your warm fuzzy thoughts.

Peace