This is a sad post, but I feel I owe it to you all to let you know.

Checkers, my loving and faithful companion of 18 years, passed away today. I always knew this day would come, but that doesn’t make it easier. (If you need to catch up on the adventures of Checkers, the RV Copilot and World’s Best Kitty, start here: Kernut is selling a kidney.)

Checkers was my raison d’etre.

I’ve had her since she was six weeks old. It’s been almost 18 years to the day since I got her from the Humane Society. She lived with me longer than any of my relatives (parents and sibling). She outlasted boyfriends – even one who foolishly thought I would get rid of her when he asked. (You’ll notice he is looong gone.) She got me through more than one nasty breakup and she got me through some very dark times. I owe her more than I could ever repay.

I know she’s still with me in spirit. I’ve saved a lock of her fur for when I go see the Largest Ball of Twine. I think she would have liked it.

May the angels keep you and bless you and guide you home. xoxo

I Love You People!

So many of you have written and offered kind words, and some have even sent money toward her vet bills. Some of you I know well and some of you I have never met, but I feel like I know you. (For those of you who’ve offered to make a donation to the vet bill fund, or if you haven’t offered but feel so inclined, you can PayPal me at justsayomm (at) gmail (dot) com.)

You have no idea how much all your love and support means to me. Especially at a time when I’m far away from my close friends. Please know that your kindness and generosity really do help soften the blow.

While Checkers was in the hospital, I had already made plans to move to a new park about three hours away. This was only a week ago.

What I’m trying to say is just met the people here, but they’re already more kind than I could have ever have hoped for. One of the Park Rangers built this beautiful cedar box for Checkers.

Then, as if that wasn’t enough, both of the Rangers dug the hole for me to bury her. With their permission, she was buried under a lovely tree in a beautiful park near Texas Hill Country.

And my apologies to those of you who’ve written and to whom I haven’t yet responded. I promise I will write back to each of you. (If you don’t hear from me within a week from now, it means I didn’t receive your email so please resend it. I save them all.)

Whether I know you in real life or over the internet, I feel very blessed to have you all in my life. I may or may not know you in person, but I love you all for showing me such kindness.

Thank you all! xoxo

(The next post will be happy, I promise.)

UPDATE: I never imagined there would be such an overwhelming outpouring of love and support. I can’t begin to express to you all how much your kind words and thoughtful gestures mean to me.  You are truly making this difficult time easier.

I still forget she’s not here and catch myself wondering or worrying about her several times a day. I hear a little noise in the RV and think it’s her, or I lay down to watch TV and think to go look for her to cuddle with me. When I’m out I catch myself wondering if I’ve been away too long, if she has enough food and water, if the house is a good temperature.

Then I remember.

I really do feel like she’s here with me in spirit. It’s like I can “feel” her near me. I can’t touch her, but she’s not “gone”. That makes it a little easier, too.

“A life never lived with a kitty is a life not lived at all.” – Kernut

UPDATE 2: A Big Thank You to the following people for their generous donations: (a fellow cat lover who wishes to remain anonymous), Jo Anne, Alyne and Les, Lisa, and John. Because of your generosity, the vet bills are almost completely covered! In the event I receive more money than the cost of Checkers medical bills, all extra money will be donated to the Humane Society in Checkers name. Love and Blessings to you all! xo