In loving memory...

My sweet little Callie made her way up to the Rainbow Bridge today. I knew something was going on with her the past couple of days. She was not eating, even her little treats that she loves so much. She was walking gingerly, as though she had a limp. After her stroke in August, which she recovered from so well, I knew everyday I had with her was a "bonus." I held her every chance that I got, and told her I loved her. Last night, as I was half asleep, half awake, she tried to jump onto the bed. She didn't make it, so I maneuvered over to the side and gave her a petting. She went half under the bed, and then grabbed my finger with her paws. She had a weak cry, which I guess was her saying goodbye to me. When I got up in the morning, I didn't see her around. I just assumed she was resting under the bed like she usually does. I came home from work for lunch, and after I finished eating I went into the bedroom to see if she wanted some treats. She was not under the bed, and after checking the other bedroom, I found her in my bedroom behind a large chair facing the corner. She was stretched out, with her mouth open. I could not see her breathing at all. I told John that I thought she was gone. We got a box to put her in, and when I lifted her up, she was already stiff. I started to cry a little, only because I was sad for any suffering she may have gone through. I already cried so much for her the first night that she had the stroke that I thought would take her life right then and there. She was a great cat, one of the loves of my life, and I will miss her dearly.
There is a service coming to take her for cremation. Her ashes will be put in a cedar box, with a name plaque, and a clay imprint will be made of her paw. So I will always be able to have her near me.