Saturday, July 13, 2019

Godspeed Rosa (2005 - 2019)



Yesterday morning Rosa left this earthly plane to be reunited with her mom Mamacita and her brother Manny at the Rainbow Bridge at the young age of 14.

A recent shot showing her weight loss.

Rosa's appetite had been off for a couple of weeks so last week we had the mobile vet look at her.  Her urine showed bacteria in it and her blood work was a bit wonky probably due to an infection.  She was put on antibiotics but did not improve so the vet stopped by on Monday to take an x-ray of her tummy and organs.  She had fluid in her abdomen but no noticeable masses. Her belly had increased quite a bit in size since last week. The vet took a sample of her belly fluid when he drained it, sending it off to the lab.  The results were inconclusive but with her symptoms he assumed it was cancer. The past week she was incontinent, not eating or drinking on her own and the last night she gagged when I tried to feed her.  When she began to have trouble breathing  we made an appointment for the vet to come on Friday.

Don and I spent her last morning with her, telling her how much we loved her and what a wonderful girl she was.  I asked the spirits of Mamacita and Manny to be with us to comfort and guide Rosa in her passing.  The vet sedated Rosa as she lay on the sofa next to me. She purred while I gave her Reiki and she seemed to let go before the last injection was given.  Rosa is buried next to Only and Sweetpea in our pet cemetery with wildflowers marking her spot until I order her gravestone. Rosa was the last of our black cats.


We caught Rosa back in 2005 as a tiny kitten along with her brother Manny and mom Mamacita.  The two kittens were living in a rickety old shed on our neighbors land,  Both little ones had severe URI's. I knew they had to be caught and treated or would not survive the infections.  The little family lived in our bathroom for several weeks while I administered the eye ointment and antibiotics to the kittens.  

Rosa is in the center between Manny right and Mamacita left.

I knew they were getting better when while playing they accidentally turned on the bathtub facet and got all the bedding in there wet!  They were so wild!  We got them spayed and neutered and moved them to our kitty room in the house.  (Manny later died in 2007 from complications due to a urinary infection and blockage.)

Rosa with Angel Georgie

Rosa was a shy quiet little girl who grew up to be a plus sized ladycat like her mom. She was a big girl with a tiny meow!  As a youngster. Rosa gradually made friends with the white kitties who were a year younger than her.  Once we moved to our present house, she became more attached to her mom, never leaving her side for the first few years.


Hiding form guests.

They were the kitties no one ever saw since they ran and hid when we had company.Both remained quite feral even thought we had them for over a dozen years. We could pet them but not handle them to pick up or carry.


Rosa and her mom

Rosa and her mom would cuddle and groom each other gently but then the emotions would become too intense and a scuffle would ensue with both cats in a swatting battle!  Poor Mamacita never got a break from Rosa.

Rosa making biscuits on Mamacita the lazy way
Rosa loved to be toasty warm, sitting in the sun, looking out the window or getting fresh air on the porch. Her favorite place in the winter was right on our Monitor heater!





On the screen porch


On the heater!

Christmas was a fun time for her and she would sit next to the tree and stare into the lights. 


 Rosa and her mom preferred to sit on the same chair in the living room.  Often Rosa would hang her front paws of the chair arm to watch golf on TV with Don.


Watching golf!


As all cats, Rosa enjoyed napping in the pile of fresh from the dryer laundry before I put it away.  problem was she got black furs all over it all!


When Mamacita passed
last June I was worried that Rosa would not adapt but she became more social with the others, especially Woody and Tabitha and sought us out when we were in the living room.  Don was the first to get up in the mornings and often Rosa would sit on the sofa with him, enjoying her one on one time..  Soon all the others would pile on there too, getting in on the loving.

With Tabitha and Woody

 
With the gang in the mornings
We took special care to make sure Rosa was included in everything as much as she felt comfy with.  At meal times, I would call her name and she would pop up out of her napping spot to answer me. I would fix her a plate of food and bring it to her.  If she wanted another flavor, she would sniff and back up a bit. It was my cue to try something else.  When she was ready to eat but not in that spot, she would run over to her chair or her nook under the counter and wait for me to bring the plate over.  She had us well trained!



We will miss her quiet gentle presence in our home. I know that Rosa and her little family are together once again and watching over all of us until we meet again.

I leave you with a sweet video of Rosa...




50 comments:

The Florida Furkids said...

We are so sorry to hear that Rosa has gone OTB. Were sending you purrs and prayers at this sad time. She was a beautiful ladycat.

The Florida Furkids and Mom Sharon

Holly said...

So sorry for your loss

The Creative Cat said...

So young, I'm so sorry. I'm glad you could keep her comfortable in her treatments. I'm also glad she had the time to make other friends in her last year.

Patti said...

What a beautiful tribute. She was loved so very much in this life and was so lucky to have you and Don. It is hard to let them go but it sounds like she went peacefully. So very sorry for your lost.

Sweet Purrfections said...

I'm so sorry to hear it was Rosa's time to cross the Bridge. Our thoughts are with you.

Brian's Home Blog said...

Such a sweetie and we can tell how much she loved you both, we can see it in those beautiful eyes. We are so sorry it was her time to depart. Hugs and love from all of us.

Gidget Blue Sky said...

what a sweet baby

Cat and DOG Chat With Caren said...

this was a beautiful tribute and I am so happy you shared that video that showed Rosa's exquisite green eyes. I am so deeply, deeply sorry. Sending (((hugs))) and prayers of comfort and strength.

catsynth said...

We are so sorry to hear of Rosa's passing :(. We send you all our thoughts and condolences for your loss.
We are also sad that this is the end of the little black-cat family of Mamacita and her kittens.

It was a beautiful tribute you made for her, and thank you giving all three of them a good home and lots of love.

catladymac said...

We are sorry you had to say good-bye to your last house panther. But you are right in saying she is with her family again. She certainly gave and received so much love.

Jacqueline said...

What a lovely tribute to your precious girl, she was very lucky to have you guys and your loving home...I am very sorry for your loss; Calle was also 14 when she passed a few months ago and I feel it was too young, somehow even more sad when you expect them to have more time...Wishing you and Don comfort and peace at this difficult time; I realize you guys have been through this sadness far too much in the last few years, Cheri and my thoughts and prayers are with you guys and your remaining fur babies, who grieve along side us deeply as well...RIP beautiful Rosa... XO...J, Halle, Sukki

Donna Heller said...

This tribute is just beautiful... I'm so sorry for yet another loss... I sometimes wonder just how much heartbreak we must take.. rest easy beautiful Rosa

Laila and Angel Minchie said...

We are so sorry for your loss. RIP sweet Rosa. (((HUGS)))

Eastside Cats said...

Godspeed, Angel Rosa. Hugs and purrs.

The Island Cats said...

We are so sorry to hear about Rosa. What a lovely tribute to your girl. Sending you many purrs and hugs.

Alastriona, The Cats and Dogs said...

We are so very sorry to hear about Rosa. Much love, purrs of sympathy and paws of comfort from all of us here.

pilch92 said...

I am so sorry for the loss of beautiful Rosa. That was a sweet video with her little meow. XO

Lily said...

We’re so sorry. Purrs and hugs from us.

Forty Paws said...

We are so very sorry that Rosa has crossed over. Tons of purrs and lots of hugs are being sent to you from all of us at Forty Paws.

edie said...

I'm sorry for your loss.

Dash Kitten Crew said...

Sat here close to tears. I am so sorry your girl has gone.

Fly free Rose, you will be missed.

CATachresis said...

A lovely tribute to a beautiful girl. So very sorry ❤️❤️

Pam and Teddy said...

So sorry to learn of your loss of sweet Rosa...what a beautiful girl and I know that she's happy to be with her family again but also know all of them will forever watch over the family that took them in and gave them their forever home. Hugs.......

Pam and Teddy too

Marg said...

So sorry about Rosa. Just know she had a wonderful life with you all. Sending big hugs.

Timmy Tomcat said...

We send your our purrs and prayers of support at this sad time. We know dear Rosa is now with all your Angels over the Bridge playing in the warm sun in fields of grass with plenty of fun places to visit and lay. Watch over us dear Rosa until that day we all meet again

Kitties Blue said...

Please accept our sincere condolences on the loss of lovely Rosa. We are huge fans of black kitties, but we haven't had one in a long time. We know she is happy being back with her little family and no longer feeling unwell. And we know she will always be loved and carried in your heart. We send purrs and prayers as you grieve. XOCK, angel Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, angel Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth, Calista Jo, Cooper Murphy and Sawyer

My Mind's Eye said...


Rosa a most beautiful House Panther with
amazingly expressive eyes.
My you furever have warm breezes on your furs and sun puddles for napping.
I know there was a grand reunion waiting your you at the golden gates.
Hugs Cecilia

Just Mags said...

We are so sorry to hear that sweet, beautiful Rosa had to leave this life. Thinking of you and sending lots of love and warm, gentle hugs to you. Mags and Chancy

Marlis Lemmle said...

We here are so sorry that you have lost your beloved Rosa. Run free Rosa over the Bridge - many feline members of all the cats will take there good care of you - you will have a forever place in so many hearts from friends and in Cheri and Dons heart. Thank you both Cheri and Don that you had done all for her what you could. In thoughts a warm hug to you and little hugs to all now in your cats house Marlis and Burkhard from Germany

Savannah's Paw Tracks said...

We are so very sad to learn of your loss.

Angels Amber and Max DaWeenie and Mom said...

Run young and pain-free again at the Bridge with all your brothers and sisters but watch over your family left behind. I'm so sorry for your loss. Hugs... ♥♥♥♥♥

Kea said...

Cheri, I'm sorry to read of the loss of another of your fur family. She had a wonderful life with you, she certainly couldn't have found better human caretakers. I'm keeping you and Don in my thoughts; Nicki and Derry send soft purrs. Peace.

da tabbies o trout towne said...

Godspeed Rosa your journey to heaven. We send hugs to you, mom, dad and the family you leave behind. We are happy to call you friend, mom wrote an awesome tribute & your movie got 984 paws UP ~~~~~~~~ ♥♥♥♥♥ Please say hi to everyone for us when you see them ~~~~~

loves from da tabbies; tuna, dai$y, mackerull, boomer, dude and sauce

Melissa, Mudpie and Angel Truffles (Mochas, Mysteries and Meows) said...

I'm so very sorry for your loss. She was such a beautiful girl, and her eyes looked at you with such love.

Peachy, Stippie, Angel Binky and Granny said...

So sorry of the loss of your sweet Rosa. Fly free beautiful Soul💗💗💗
Soft Pawkisses to comfort you all🐾😽💞

John Bellen said...

This saddens me greatly. So young to go. My Parker who died from cancer at the beginning of June was thirteen. So many years yet to be with us. Godspeed, Rosa.

Charlemagne and Tamar said...

Sending soft purrs to comfort you.

Charlemagne and Tamar

Cats of wildcat woods said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Cats of wildcat woods said...

Thanks so.much for your kind words. It helps.

Cats of wildcat woods said...

Thank you for stopping by. It means a lot to.know others care.

Cats of wildcat woods said...

Thank you.

Cats of wildcat woods said...

Thank you so much for stopping by to read my tribute to Rosa.

Cats of wildcat woods said...

Thank you.

Colehaus Cats said...

What a sweet and beautiful girl. Thank you so much for caring for her and her family and for sharing them with all us. Run fast and free, dear Rosa. Sending hugs and purrs to you all.

Summer said...

I'm so sorry. Lots of purrs to you. <3

Memories of Eric and Flynn said...

I am so sorry for your loss of beautiful Rosa. I have been away for a few days and only just found out. For some reason my reader no longer gives me notifications when you have posted.
Your tribute to Rosa is lovely. Hugs.

Shoko Neilson said...

This is a lovely tribute to Rosa. They just don't live long enough for my liking. When they are gone so is a piece of our hearts. We purr and wish for a gentle transition.

The Oceanside Animals said...

Charlee: "We're sorry to hear that your Rosa had to cross the Rainbow Bridge."
Chaplin: "Run free with your mother and brother in the fields over the Bridge, pretty girl!"
Charlee: "We send lots of purrs to you at this difficult time."
Lulu: "And I send tail wags!"

Meezer's Mews & Terrieristical Woofs said...

So sorry that Rosa had to become an angel.
((((( ♥ )))))



We sent you an email with a memento image in it.

Kitty Cat Chronicles said...

I was coming by to thank you for your kind words on Caster's memorial post and see that you lost a sweet kitty somewhat recently as well. I am so sorry for the loss of Rosa. She was a beautiful girl and obviously very well loved. I hope you have been able to find comfort in all of the happy memories you shared with her.
Thank you for reaching out on Caster's post. We miss our boy so, so much, but having a supportive and loving cat-blogging community has been a huge comfort. Thank you again.

ShareThis

LinkWithin

Related Posts Widget for Blogs by LinkWithin

Please Follow Us...new posts don't always show in Google Reader so check in with us often!