Gabriella

I love evenings like this. I got to open the windows and let in some fresh air. Imagine my surprise when as soon as I opened the first window, I burst into tears. It was in that moment that I realized I haven't opened the windows since Gabriella, our beautiful and complicated cat, had to be put down.

Gabriella hadn't been eating most of the spring or summer. Just refusing food, then not able to keep down anything I could force or hand feed her. She had still been herself for the most part. Actually, not quite herself. She had been so sweet and snuggly and kind to all of us. That was our first clue. The blood tests came back clear, so the next level of tests were a huge cost with no guarantee of result. Meanwhile, she continued to waste away. Before we could decide for sure about the tests, we left on vacation while Sophia's babysitter checked on her daily.

When I came home from vacation without Erick and Sophia in order to go to Illinois for Grandma's funeral, Gabriella was not well. She yelled for hours that first night. When I got home after the funeral and day at the farm, she was miserable. I won't describe it because it's too sad.

She was such a good cat. I honestly miss her a ton. She was a great friend and her ornery spirit always managed to bring a smile to my face, even when her claws drew blood. Gabriella was a great cat, and she cannot be replaced. 

Pet Drama

We've had Leo for 2 1/2 years. Gabriella has been here almost six. That's weird to think about. Anyway, she's hated him from the first moment she laid eyes on him. He thinks she's awesome. He loves the way she hisses at him and bops him on the nose when he rushes at her. He thinks it's cool the way she keeps him cornered.

It's really too bad she can't understand how much Leo likes her because they could be great friends - or at least cofounders of the Gabriella Fan Club.

Once in a while, when I'm sitting on the couch next to Leo, Gabriella will get in my lap. This happened over the weekend with the following result. Gabriella petted the dog. He was pretty much trembling with excitement and trying not to look at her. He knows from experience that eye contact makes her angry. So they had a moment.

That will have to last for a while, I think. Gabriella has been too busy trying to steal fish from the kitchen counter and blocking the bathroom sink to worry about making friends with the dog.

Making a break for it

                                                         

The Cat's Pajamas

Okay, so we didn't make our cat wear pajamas, but we did throw her a birthday party. Since she was born at the Humane Society shelter, they knew her actual birthday. That meant that Sophia has been waiting to celebrate that day since we got her in July. With Gabriella's birthday coming up, I told Sophia that she could invite one friend and we would have a party for her after school. The friend she chose was Cameron. Cameron is the friend that likes cats the most and freaks Gabriella out the least. They were both decked out for the occasion. Sophia in a party dress and Cameron in cat apparel. And they decorated the apartment.

Every birthday party has a craft. For theirs, they drew cat faces on balloons...

There was cake and a gift. I put cat treats in tissue paper hoping she'd tear into it, but we ended up needing to open it. Oh well.

Gabriella's favorite part of the day was going outside. She had on her harness and leash and wandered the yard hunting bugs and feeling like a jungle cat.

All in all, it was a great celebration of the life of our cat. She's both the luckiest and least lucky cat alive, I think. It's rough being loved so much. Just ask Lulu...

Reading Stories to the Princess

This scene just amused me immensely. Gabriella is behaving like a mad kitty chasing her tail and paper (and my foot) while Sophia reads her a story with facial and body expression galore. I have no idea what Sophia's story is about. Even after hearing it again. I think it was more about saying words while flinging her head than making sense. So, it's perfect...

Gabriella

 

We have a new addition to the Creach household. She's slightly crazy, very independent, snuggly and absolutely adorable. A kindred spirit for Sophia.

She doesn't like to cuddle quite as much as Sophia would like, but after she is worn out from playing, she becomes a regular lap kitty.

 

 

She is very entertaining, and all of us are quite taken with her. I absolutely love this cat. Can't wait to share some Sophia-Gabriella tales.