Kia 'kitten Mitten' 1992-2012

Our baby Kia, for over 20 years we were blessed to have you in our lives. You were so gentle and clever. My friend said you should have been the 'World's Cat Ambassador', so non-cat lovers like him would become cat lovers, as he became after meeting you! Everyone loved you and in over 20 years you never scratched or bit anyone.

You lost your brother Chico when he was only 8, he was the complete opposite of you! You became very depressed and we rescued Henry to keep you company and give him a home. Oh dear! You certainly kept each other on your toes! He hadn't had the greatest of starts and we lost him to cancer after 10 years. Six months later young Hector the stray came for Christmas dinner and stayed under one condition; you were the boss! He knew it, despite being 6.5lb and 17 years younger, he would role over in total submission. He wouldn't dare steal your food or annoy you and brought you a shrew as a present. Hubbie called it 'The Taming of the Shrew!'. You loved your dad, and were always in the kitchen with him under his feet!

The 22nd December 2012 was your last day and our darkest day. Only a month earlier the Cat Clinic gave you the all-clear as your medication had your over-active thyroid in order. They didn't expect to see you for another six months, but your weight loss was drastic that last week and you stopped eating properly and missed your litter tray. It was end-stage renal failure that had come on very quickly. There was only one kind option as dad and I kissed you goodbye, held you and cried (sorry I wasn't stronger).

We love you and miss you, beautiful girl. This poem is for you:

God looked around his garden,
And saw an empty place.
He then looked down from heaven,
And saw your tired face.
He knew that you were suffering,
And a cure was not to be.
So he put his arms around you,
And whispered,"Come with me."
With tearful eyes we watched you,
As you slowly slipped away.
And though we loved you dearly,
We could not make you stay.
Many times we've needed you,
And many times we've cried.
If love could have saved you,
You never would have died.