Lemi

I knew that I was going to have to record this sooner or later.

Lemi passed on yesterday afternoon after being sick for about a week. It was a hard week for all of us, Lemi in the makeshift cat hospital box, Choco basically ignored since I was constantly looking over Lemi. Tetsu and me staying up nights to keep her warm or just keep her company. I guess the other cats weren't disturbed too much and they don't seem to notice Lemi's passing.

After all my talk about putting an animal to sleep, I couldn't do it in the end. Lemi wasn't in pain but got into the calling and wandering mode so that it was hard to watch her. Tetsu and I took turns holding her or petting her and in the end I was chatting with my neighbor and holding Lemi when she died. A very nice way to go I think. Mrs. Yano, my neighbor always takes care of our cats if both Tetsu and I are away (once every couple of years Tetsu comes to the States with me) so she knows Lemi well. The last week Mrs. Yano has been coming over every few hours to check on Lemi and on me and bring me good things to eat. You'd think I was the one who was sick! Lemi also got a visit from Mrs. Yano's husband and even from a couple at church who are cat lovers. I'd say Lemi was a well-loved cat!

Small things are painful. Calling the cats for food and only three of them appearing. Seeing the still full box of cat food for older cats (Lemi's brand), changing my blog profile to have it say "I ... currently live with my husband, 3 cats and a dog" instead of 4 cats.

Only my quilting and piecing output profited from Lemi's confinement since most of the week I have been sitting by her box (no cooking, no cleaning!) and quilting the When-oh-When and doing some piecework. Now you know the reason my quilting went along so quickly. That is all that I've been doing! Thank you Lemi.

Looking back over this blog, there are lots of pictures of Lemi adorning my quilts, overseeing the basting, christening the blocks. Such a good kitty and great taste in quilts!