R I P - "The Devil" miss you

I had a grey tux kitty I called The Devil. She was. But so cute! Her specialty was in blithely destroying things, then looking at you, as if to say "who, me?"

I got her pregnant mother from a friend and mama gave birth in my bedroom closet to various kittens including The Devil.

I live on half an acre, which is also a palm tree garden. (I'm a palm nut, too; here's a link to pictures, if you like.  http://palmssc.org/)

The palm garden was a grand place to be a kitten! Palms to climb; many of the trees still have claw marks from the Devil and her siblings.

The Devil got stuck in the rain one day in this palm tree right next to the roof of my house.

The trouble was that my place is on the edge of a semi-wild place where lots of coyotes live.

Coyotes love cats to eat. One of the Devil's siblings got eaten. (I found the sibling's tail and upper jawbone in the backyard.)

So, I tried to keep the Devil inside. For a while, it worked. The trouble was, as she got older, she got smarter, too smart for her own good. She got better and better at getting around me and slipping outside when I came and went.

One night, a couple of days before her appointment to get spayed, she got out and never returned.

This could have been prevented by keeping the kittens inside all the time, not letting them out, and getting them spayed or neutered as soon as possible, instead of waiting too long like I did.

My present kitties all stay inside. All the time.

Coyotes still come around, though. They leave calling cards on my garden paths.

Adios, Devil!

I'm really sorry to hear that Devil has left you.  She sounds like she was quite the special girl.  The photos of her are wonderful - she's certainly lucky you were able to climb that tree to rescue her.  I don't think I could ever climb a tree without branches!  I'm sorry you had to learn such a hard lesson about the need to keep our kitties inside safe from predators.  It's natural to want to let them out when you see them having so much fun like Devil and her siblings had when they were younger.  And some cats really are hard to keep inside - it sounds like Devil was too clever for her own good.   I'm so sorry she's gone but hope your present kitties provide you with comfort. And thank you for posting this lovely tribute.

RIP Devil     

This is indeed meant as a cautionary celebration!

thanks so much

Devil was lucky indeed to have you in her life, I'm sure she is grateful for the time she had sharing your life, and spent life to the fullest until the end. She sounds stubborn and did exactly what she wanted to do, even escaping the safety of your house. She would never want you to dwell on the end, but celebrate what you two shared, she loves you too much to want anything but happiness in your life. Live your life as you would want her to live if you were the first to go, love wants only sunshine and happiness for those left behind.

  Thank you for your beautiful tribute to this spunky little girl, I feel as if I know her,  and will mourn her loss to this world along with you. The heavens have gained a mischievous angel,she will send her love to you along the bond you formed with her, use it and your wonderful memories to bring you comfort. I'll keep you all in my thoughts and prayers. take care........RIP beautiful little 'Devil', despite your name the angels will joyously accept your presence in their world, they know your heart and look forward to your antics.  Sleep tight little princess, you were greatly loved and will be forever held in a loving heart!

Thanks so much for the kind words!

I still miss her, but I miss all of the dead.

(The older you get, the more dead.)

Devil's ironic, of course. She was sweet to me and all my visitors.

Everyone teaches so much.

I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful girl.  Bless you for taking them all in.  You are a special person, indeed.

What a sweet face she had, I am so sorry for your loss of your sweet girl. For Devil