The Beginning
A tiny wee kitty was found in a dumpster at Calvary Hospital, late on Friday afternoon, 31st May 1996. This kitty was no more than 2-3 weeks of age. She was brought down to my workplace to see if anyone could take her, otherwise she was to be drowned. Everyone had excuses, had cats and didn’t want any more, had dogs, needed to ask their parents, husband, wife, whatever. I already had a cat and after losing Taffy, I wasn’t ready for more.
I couldn’t bear the thought of her being drowned though, so said I would take her for the weekend.
On the Monday suddenly everyone wanted her. But after feeding her warmed milk from a syringe all weekend, there was no way I was giving her up. Many names were considered but she was such a little bit of a thing, she became Little Bit or LB.
The Fun Times
This cheeky little ball of mischief very quickly won my heart. She loved to hang over the backs of dining chairs and play with her tail through the rungs. She would also climb a floor standing candelabra. Walking along the top of the shower door and swiping at me was another fun pastime.
My teenage grandson was living with me, when one night she had us laughing until we cried. I attached a cat toy on elastic to the door knob. She kept leaping up and grabbing it. When she tried to pull it to her the elastic snatched it away again. She was so determined and wasn’t going to be beaten if she could help it. This went on for a few hours until she finally had to give up. As she walked away she was dragging her front paws with a bad case of repetitive strain.
Little Bit also like to get into some weird places, one rather dangerous.
Her Trauma
While she was still only a young girl, although de-sexed, she was attacked by a very large tomcat. This left her traumatized. Before that she was happy to go outside and roam around. Afterwards she didn’t want to go out at all and would go no further than a few steps from the door.
Little bit developed a habit of using her claws to pull a thread of the knitted covers on the lounge, then biting it. I was never sure if she was cleaning her claws or her teeth. But I suspect it was mainly a nervous habit relating back to the trauma.
She moved house with me three times and would remain close to the perimeter of the house. She never left the yard, but was not left outside when I wasn’t home. That way I knew she was safe.
Whenever I did any magical work or rituals she had to be a part of it and help. Circle working usually involved her presence and participation.
The End
The first week of October 2012 was an absolute nightmare. LB decided she would no longer eat. For several days she still drank water – not as much as usual but at least she was drinking.
When the sun was shining she would drag herself outside and sit or lie in the sun. But mostly she just curled up in her bed and slept. I put a piece of Rose Quartz in her bed with her for unconditional love. Rose Quartz is also good for stress and animals suffering trauma.
At night she wanted to be on my knee and then in bed with me. She slept on the pillow beside me always.
She became very thin and when she wasn’t sleeping she desperately wanted to be with me. When her back legs no longer worked properly she would drag herself along crying out for me. Over the weekend her condition deteriorated further.
I hoped and prayed she would pass naturally as she had a bad experience with vets and was always terrified of going to them. I felt that to take her there would be the final betrayal. Unfortunately her strong will to live kept her alive. Finally I had to make the heartbreaking decision to take her to the vet. She was my faithful friend for 16.5 years since being hand reared from that 2-3 weeks old tiny kitten.
A friend called in a few minutes before the vet appointment so came with me. I couldn’t stop crying and needed her support. I didn’t want to go alone.
With all previous partings, be it divorce, relationship breakups, the deaths of my parents and brother, as well as all my other furry friends, there was always someone or another animal to help me through.
Generally when an animal began to get old i would get another pet. This was to keep them company and to help with the transition when the time came. After LB’s traumatic experience with the tomcat, she hated and feared other cats so I didn’t get another. For most of the 16.5 years we were together it was only ever the two of us.
At 4.55 pm on the 8th October, Little Bit crossed over peacefully while I held and patted her. At the last minute she looked up at me as if to say goodbye. It was so hard to leave her there but she was to be cremated and then return home with me.
Going home without her, the house was so empty and lonely. I missed her terribly. After so many years together, my pretty girl was gone. When I cleared up her bed a few days later, the piece of Rose Quartz had disappeared never to be found again. I feel she took it with her.
Her spirit and ghost remain with me. I see and hear her often, even after moving to a different town.
Rest in Peace, Little Girl
May 1996 – 8th October 2012
