Two days ago, my Dad was getting ready for work when just happened to look out the back door and saw a cat. He took a closer look and saw that it was a kitten! He opened the door and the little one stepped into our house. The kitten had an infected eye, so my Mom scooped it up and quickly took it to the Guest House. I followed along, wanting to get a closer look at the kitten. It was white with sploches of tabby markings. Mom and I tried to tell if it was a boy or a girl the usual way, but it kept squirming. We decided it was boy and left it at that.

He was a little purr machine! He purred so loud, we nicknamed him "Lord Purrington"! My Dad set out a plate of food before he went to work and the little guy wolfed it down like a starving grasshopper! Eventually, I stayed in the Guest House and took a nap with him. He was such a little angel. However, we found out later that in addition to the infected eye, he had roundworms. We cleaned up whenever he made a mess, but we still loved him. I spent the night in the Guest House with him, talking and petting him as he laid on my chest.

The next day, he seemed to be improving. He ate a little and drank some water. When he walked, his gait was slow and steady, but not stumbling around. Dad told me when he was looking after the little one, the kitten was resting, but as soon as my sister came into the Guest House, he stood up and ran up to her! My sister and the kitten got along very well and it was obvious to my Dad that they love each other. The vet appointment was made and things were looking up.

This morning, however, it took a turn for the worst. I went up to the Guest House the first thing after I got up. When I got there, the kitten was on the pillow where I left him the night before, but something wasn't right. When I picked him up, he seemed limp and weaker then before. And when he tried to walk, he stumbled and bumped into things. He always struggled whenever I flipped him over and when he didn't that time, I knew that he was very sick. I held him and told him I loved him repeatedly just in case they were the last words he'll ever hear. My dad came in later noticed how weak the kitten was. We were going to go later in the morning, but it was an emergency and had to leave for the vet earlier than we planned.

By the time we got to the vet, the kitten was barely breathing. He was immediately examined and we found out that he had distemper in addition to his previous health problems. We also found out to our surprise that he was a she! They had to put her in an oxygen tank, but her chances weren't good. Before they took her away, my Dad named her Janice. It was such a beautiful name. We left the vet around nine.

Around 10:25, the vet called to tell us that Janice had died fifteen minutes before. We agreed to pick up her body. We had a funeral after we came home in which we buried her close to the other cats that had passed on before. When I saw Janice's body, she looked like she was sleeping peacefully. There was much crying as we buried her, my Dad and Mom crying the hardest. My poor sister was so sad as my Dad told her that Janice loved her.

Two days. That's how long we knew Janice and she stole our hearts just the same as the others. I still feel a little out of it as of this writing, but I'm coping. I just wish I knew her a little better.

Rest in peace, Janice. We will never forget you.

Janice is a beautiful name for a kitten with a beautiful heart! <3 You have such a beautiful heart as well. Rest well, Janice. <3

Janice is so beautiful! Rest in peace, Lady Purrington of the Skirts. We didn't know you well but we loved you muchly! <3

Thanks! I did my best to take care of her, even sleeping on the floor to keep her company for the night. Mom said I did more to take care of Janice then anyone else in the family!

Thank you for the lovely title! It suits her so well! I bet Janice would love it!

;_; Such a sad story, but it sounds like you made her last days very lovely and she brought a lot of happiness into you and your family's lives in just a few days.

As you always do. You're a wonderful kitty mom! I don't know anyone better! <3

Yes we did. We did all that we could to make her feel safe and loved. My parents told me that Janice probably knew that she was loved even in her last moments of life.

Well, I had been a wonderful kitty mom to two gorgeous tabby girls last year! They now have grown into beautiful young cats!

D'awww! The tabby twins girls!! <3

I want to put something uplifting in this depressing topic. When the girls lay together to sleep, they make a lovely tabby pile! <3

TABBY PILE!!! ADORABLENESS!!!

That's such a sad story, but you all are wonderful people to have taken her in and tried to help her. You made a difference to her, and I'm sure she loved you guys. I"m sorry for your loss. hug

Thanks! It's good to know I made a difference in her short life!

I hate that the kitten died but you did a beautiful thing by taking her into your home and caring for her for those final days. I'm sure it brought the kitten comfort to know she was in a place were she was loved. I've also taken in sick or injured kittens even if I knew they weren't going to make it because I would rather an animal pass on in a house were they're warm and safe and cared for than outside alone. It's hard to do but it's worth it. You and your family are very good people for doing what you did.

lol i'm crying. that was such a sweet thing you did. like was said, that baby knew it was loved, even if only for a short while. <3

Thank you! It's nice to know that my family and I did the right thing. Janice would have died like other abandoned kittens, alone, unnamed, and never knowing that someone cared for them. But she didn't and that what kept us going.

It's amazing how fast animals become part of a family. She was lucky to have had you and your family, if only for two short days. She was well taken care of and loved very much. Rest in peace, little Janice.

Just remember, you'll two meet again someday. She'll be waiting at the Rainbow Bridge for you.