Nellie Belle Leary Dewey
My Little Princess Nel
September 16, 1983 - March 20, 2001

March 21, 2001 - Our Nellie lost her brave fight with kidney failure last evening at the age of 17 1/2 years. She had lost her strength and her ability to go on. Nel was put to peace at 7:30pm with Debbie and Paul at her side on her favorite pillow and her plush, red towel. She had a small branch from Debbie's hemlock tree by her side and fresh green grass and daffodil clippings from the yard around her. Nellie went so peacefully. Dr. Adams said she had a very strong heart right up until the end. Yes, Nel was all heart. She loved life, she loved her brothers and sisters and she had a heart bigger than most and it was strong and full of love.

Reflections on My Princess Nel

Nel joined our family on December 27, 1997 along with her litter mate, Pip. She was a most beautiful petite calico -- pure white, carmel and black with the golden eyes of an angel.

As we rode the 45-minute trip to the animal hospital last evening, we saw one of the most beautiful sunsets that God has ever created. We stopped at a stop light, and Nel, weak as she was, lifted her little head and peered west towards the purple, crimson and orange sky. It was a moment that is etched into my mind and my heart and I will never forget it.

Forty days ago, Nel took a turn for the worse. With the help of the doctors, fluids and lots of TLC she bounced back. At that moment, I knew no matter how much she improved that it would not be long. Kidney failure is such a devastating disease to which there is no cure. Comfort, reduced stress, fluids and the right diet will help but will not fix a failing kidney. These past 40 days have given us the opportunity to spend some concentrated quality time together. Sometimes it's tough with a house full of other kitties, but they all seemed to know and they gave Nel her space.

On that day, February 10, I told Nel to hang on. Spring was just around the corner, and oh, did Nel enjoy springtime. The birds singing, the sun shining, the fresh clean air that comes with each new Spring -- Nel cherished the coming of Spring and enjoyed each as if it were her first. Indeed, she made it to March 20, 2001 -- the first day of Spring of the new year.

Debbie and I first met Nel and Pip at the Pet Pride shelter in December of `96. There they sat, huddled together in the cage with one lady´s slipper by the side. Upon investigating, we found out that their original guardian, Mrs. Leary, went into a nursing home and could no longer care for them. We made room for these two in our home and our hearts the following December. Up until this past February Nel slept on my chest every single night. I believe Nel has met up with Mrs. Leary in Heaven and they are together again. I hope Mrs. Leary would be proud of us for the way we loved Nellie and cared for her.

It's so hard. You adopt a 14-year-old cat knowing that she may not live much longer -- but yet she brought so much love and joy in the three years she was with us. I would not have done things any differently, with the exception of probably adopting the two of them earlier than we did.

Every time I lose one of my babies, and Nel makes the fifth we've lost in five years, a little piece of me goes with them. It's so difficult to put into words. I just know a piece of my heart and my soul go with them to Heaven for on earth we have been joined by a bond unparalleled by other relationships. I give of myself and they give back so much. I believe this is why we have been put on this earth, to spread love and joy to those in our lives and care for those that cannot care for themselves. To do good. To make a difference in the world -- albeit small in relation to the universe -- but significant none the less. Care for the animals. Care for your loved ones and friends.

We have thirteen beautiful kitties whom we love very much. I just realized this morning that it was now 13. I told Debbie that number just doesn't seem right. No doubt, there is another older kitty out there in need of love and care. We cannot replace Nellie, but if we can bring a few years of another older cat that no one else wants, we will. This is our reason for being. It will never get any less painful to suffer a loss such as Nel, but we must not dwell on our own sorrow. We must live each day to the best we can and enjoy the moments. Yes, it is better to have loved and lost an older cat than to never have loved one at all. Nellie was laid to rest in the yard by her mommy's hemlock tree at sunrise this morning. She will be moved to her final resting place in the Dewey family plot at Rush Interpet Cemetery within the coming months. She now joins her brothers Charlie Brown and Simon and sisters Lucy and Sunshine and all of God's little angels in Heaven.

Peace now be with you, my sweet Nellie.

Pip Leary Dewey
Our Little Pipper
September 16, 1983 to May 17, 2001

Our dear, sweet Pip left this Earth suddenly at 2:35pm in the afternoon of Thursday, May 17, 2001 with Paul at his side. He's now at peace, joined once again and for eternity with the sister he loved so much, Nellie. Nel had passed away just 58 days ago. They each would have turned 18 years old in four months.

Once again I find myself struggling with a fitting tribute to one of our passing kitties. On March 20, it was Nel. On April 21, it was Harvey-Ritz. Now, on May 17, it's Pipper.

We adopted Pip and Nel right after Christmas in 1997. They were 14 years old at the time. If you have read Nellie's tribute you know their situation. As for Pip, there's now doubt about it... he was a "lady's man" through and through. He would flirt with both the two-legged and the four-legged females. He had a way to steal your heart with just one glance. His beautiful green eyes said it all.

Don't get me wrong, though. Pip loved his Daddy and he loved his four-legged brothers. It's just that he _*LOVED*_ the females. He adored Debbie and would spend hours laying on her shoulder. It was one of his most favorite spots.

Pip and Nel had a bond unparalleled in most other relationships. Many of the pictures we have of them are together -- sleeping, drinking, eating or simply watching out the window, these two were "one" many a time. Even when they were apart, their bond held true. Often, if Nel was upstairs and Pip downstairs, when Pip went to a water dish to drink it was only a minute or so before Nellie was right there at his side drinking from the same bowl.

This bond was evident when Nellie passed on. Pip always seemed to miss her presence. For many nights he would walk the house in the exact same route and pattern, stopping every ten steps or so, looking around, and continuing on. Like Nel, Pip dropped in weight rather quickly. Like Nel, Pip was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. Like Nel, Pip suffered from chronic renal failure.

Pip had a way of meowing that sounded more like a gasp. His voice was unique in a household of felines. He did love to talk, though. He loved his drinking bowl on the table. He loved fresh flowing water and his last few days enjoyed water from his new kitty drinking fountain. He loved breakfast and dinner time and he was always one that, in spite of his size, was able to worm his way in and get food from everyone else's food bowls.

Pip was buried in the yard the following morning at sunrise, alongside his sister, Nel and next to his best buddy, Harvey-Ritz. It was relatively quite morning, with nothing but the sounds of birds filling the air and a warm, gentle breeze. Pip would have loved it. He had always enjoyed sitting in his window seat, smelling fresh air and watching and listening to the birdies.

On Monday, May 21, 2001, Pip, Nel and Harvey were moved from the yard to their final resting place in the family plot at Rush Interpet Cemetery. While the skies were dark and gloomy, our hearts were warm and glowing. We know he suffers no more, and he and Nellie are together in Heaven forever. They join our Harvey-Ritz, Charlie Brown, Simon Milosz, Lucy Belle and Sunshine and all the other Kitty Angels on the banks of the River of Love.

Peace and love be with you, Pipper.