Gadget

My dearest kitty Gadget passed away this morning at 6:02 a.m. in my arms. She will be greatly missed.

On June 10th, 1994 - after I knew I was moving to Alaska to teach - my younger found a litter of kittens - their mother was feral - and it was an extremely hot summer. He picked up the litter and brought them home. I was only 22 years old. My Mom and I bottle fed the 5 day old kittens - and we rubbed their bottoms to stimulate their bowels. It was touch and go - but all five survived. Mom named them Widget, Gidget, Gadget, Midget, and Fidget. Fidget was the only boy.

I remember the little rascals pooping all over my bedroom. The first night they had access to a litter box - they all slept in it - in a little huddle. I had to place some of their poop in it - for them to understand it was bathroom and not a bed.

Widget passed first in 2004 from cancer - she was a short haired tortie. Midget (Mom & Dad kept her and Gidget) passed a few years ago - and Gidget just a year later. Gadget just passed this morning. Of the five, Fidget (aka Tom) remains.

Gadget was an aloof lady cat. She'd stand near you, you'd invite her up to your lap - and she might come - she might not. After her sister Widget passed - she was less aloof and more a lap cat. I will miss her unique personality very much - as much as I miss her sisters.

Their are some people to whom she'll only be a cat - but to me she was a wonderful friend pet with a unique personality all her own. I grieve the loss of my friend and I hate the pain of feeling so helpless while someone you love is suffering. But she is gone now and is not suffering any more.

We now are a household of 3 cats - we rescue adopted 2 in 2005. So we have Sissy who is now 6 years old, her mother Momma Kitty who is 7 years old, and Tom (Fidget) who is 16 years old.

I'd do it all over again. It was worth every moment.