THE ADVENTURES OF PERIWINKLE & STINKY: PART CCCXXII

A Message from Periwinkle & Stinky

Stinky’s anxiety is peaking when he sees the teleportation tunnel begin to vibrate. Moments later Periwinkle comes tumbling out with a whoosh. Stinky immediately pulls her into a paw hug, and they remain like that for several minutes.

When they come apart, both are crying. Periwinkle speaks first, “I know this is not going to be a fun adventure today, but we have each other to lean on.” Stinky nods and gives her a whisker kiss.

“My mom has put some things together for us to share. She didn’t want us to have to bear that responsibility.”

“I would have done it with you, but I am happy we can just share what your mom has done,” replies Periwinkle. She then asks, “Stinky, why did your mom want to wait until today to share what happened?”

“Mostly, because she didn’t want to spoil anyone’s holiday. And with the tiny terrorists taking up so much time, she didn’t feel she could manage doing an adequate job of sharing.”

“Is that why she asked us to do it?”

“Yes, partially. She said it would be easier to write coming from us.”

“I get that.”

Saying Good-bye

“I guess I shouldn’t pussy foot around the subject any longer and just tell everybody.”

“Yes, I think it is time,” says Periwinkle as she takes his paws in hers.

“Okay, here goes: On Thursday, December 18, at 11:20 p.m. my alter-ego, Sawyer, got his angel wings and flew off to the Rainbow Bridge. He was only eight and a half years old.” Both tabbies start crying again. Stinky continues, “Mom was holding him and had been almost nonstop for two days.”

“Let’s share some of the photos your mom made into scrapbook pages so we can compose ourselves,” suggests Periwinkle.

Stinky nods his agreement and sets out the first page.

 

 

“Stinky, Sawyer was so cute and so brave. I cannot imagine how hard it was for him having all those seizures,” says Periwinkle through tears.

”I know. My mom talked to our retired vet, Dr. Neel, a lot on the day before as well as the day he flew away. Dr. Neel was filling in at Pet Vet on the 18th and reviewed all Sawyer’s records at Mom’s request. His seizures were not the cause of his death. It was probably intestinal lymphoma based on his normal blood work and what his x-rays from two weeks earlier showed. But she and Mom both agreed that the years of seizures were probably affecting his brain function as well.”

“Sawyer and your fursibs are so lucky to have Dr. Neel and your new vet, Dr. McBane,” replies Periwinkle.

Stinky just nods.

“Stinky, does this mean you and I are going to retire and not have any more adventures?” asks Periwinkle.

“No it doesn’t. Your mom and mine have talked about it and agree that it is devastatingly sad that Sawyer is no longer here, but they want to continue our adventures in his memory,” Stinky replies as tears roll down his cheeks.

Periwinkle can hear Stinky’s mom sobbing in another room and runs to hug her. They sit together and cry softly. Stinky joins them and all three hug. Mom Janet tells Periwinkle and Stinky how grateful she and Dad Tom are to have had Sawyer with them for eight years. When he was just a kitten, his seizures were so bad, they almost lost him a couple of times.

 

 

A New Chapter

“Stinky, I know what would make me feel better. Can we visit the kittens?”

“We can find Tali and Gibbs and play with them,” replies Stinky. “The last four of the other tiny terrorists left on Saturday to find their forever homes.”

“Wow, I thought I would have another opportunity to see them, but that’s great. I hope that all the kittens will get wonderful, loving homes.”

“Me too. We’ll be able to get updates on the two ginger kitties, as they are with a friend,” Stinky replies.

“That’s great!”

Stinky and Periwinkle go in search of Tali and Gibbs and find them napping in the kitchen. They decide not to wake them, but Gibbs momentarily opens his eyes and gives the tabbies a little blep.

 

 

After a quick snack it is time for Periwinkle to head home. She finds Mom Janet and Dad Tom to hug them before saying “good-bye” to Stinky. They spend time whisker kissing and paw hugging. Then Periwinkle enters the teleportation tunnel and with a wave and a whoosh is gone.

The End

Though this is not a happy Tuesday for any of us, the tabbies will join the Happy Tuesday blog hop hosted by Sandee at Comedy Plus. Click the badge below if you would like to do the same.

 

A Final Note from Mom Janet: Dad Tom and I would like to thank everyone who loved Sawyer and prayed for his safe return when he was on his walkabout and for when he’d had a seizure. He was special, and we are heartbroken that he was in our lives for only eight years, but we are also filled with gratitude that we had that time with him. He’ll always be loved and never forgotten.

I am hoping that you can understand why I waited so long to break this news and why I chose Periwinkle and Stinky to do it. Until I wrote this, I was able to pretend Sawyer was still here. As I wrote reality hit me hard and much of this was written through tears. Many kitties are in our past, and all were and still are loved. But Sawyer was extraordinary.