Friday, April 27, 2007

IF: Remember ' Little Girl '

One of my friend's cats passed away a few days ago. She was one of the sweetest cats I've ever known. After eight long days in intensive care, Little Girl lost her battle to kidney failure. Sadly, she was a victim of the melamine poisoning recently found in some brands of pet foods.

I remember Little Girl had huge sea glass green eyes.
She liked to sleep in late.
She insisted on drinking from the bathtub faucet several times a day.
When she chased her little foam rubber balls she looked like she needed a front-end alignment. It was hilarious!
She snored.
She had a delicate 'meow.'
She was kind and gentle.
I never got to say goodbye and I miss her.

Her dear brother Sammy was poisoned by the same food. He's home from the hospital now and is doing much better. I visit him daily to administer fluids to help keep his kidneys flushed. We're all hoping Sammy wins this fight.
I have a feeling Little Girl is right by his side, encouraging him every step of the way.

(For Judy and Carlos, with love....Auntie Laurel)

Watercolor, acrylic washes and many layers of glazing to make Little Girl seem "spirit like."


42 comments:

  1. This is spooky. I used to have a cat called "Little Girl." She died from kidney disease, too. (We had her put to sleep so she wouldn't suffer.

    I love the red poppies in this. Very fitting and and a nice foil for her colouring.

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  2. Hi Cat...what a coincidence. Little Girl's parents put her to sleep as well. They were called in the middle of the night and went in to be with her. Such a tragedy.

    Thanks for the nice comments :)

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  3. he has such a sweet and sensitive expression on her face. What a nice tribute.

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  4. What a fine tribute to your little friend here--your piece keeping her memory and spirit alive. It's amazing, the similarities our animal friends have with us humans--the good and the bad. The food incidents anger me though. Anyway, here's to a beautiful painting and to Little Girl.

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  5. She is so sweet and spiritual!
    I understand perfectly your suffering!
    Cata.

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  6. Oh, Laurel so sad.. and such a wonderful gift to a lost friend!

    You did it again, you captured those eyes so well, so lively, so sparkling and sea green!

    [I second Steve's feelings about the food poisonings, atrocious!]

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  7. I am touched, and angery at such a unnecessary death. You did good with your post. Thanks for sharing it.

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  8. aww... this is a nice tribute to a kitty that looks so sweet...



    i really like the eyes.....

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  9. Thanks for you work and have a good weekend

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  10. What a beautiful cat and illo!
    The poppies also move away behind the cat. Well done.

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  11. Oh, had sad! How lovely of you to remember her in this way.

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  12. this is so sad and beautiful all at once, a wonderful tribute. Love to you ~ Judy x

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  13. Beautiful piece, Laurel! I'm so sorry about what happened to Little girl! Hope Sammy will be alright.

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  14. Oh gosh, poor, poor babies. I've been lucky that we didn't have animals or know any that were afflicted. What a beautiful, loving homage to Little Girl. Doesn't this just break your heart?

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  15. I like the red poppies too, they're beautiful. Sorry to hear about your friend's cat, I hope the other one makes it!

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  16. Thank you for visiting my blog and acknowledging my first IF post. I would love to scroll through your blog. You are a fine watercolorist, something I never learned to do as I treated them like oil paints. The cat's eyes look very alive and what a sweet remembrance. I love your Polar bear too.

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  17. ohhhh! what a sweetie! she DOES look spirit like!

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  18. Very nice, Lolie...very sad story, but beautiful things to "remember."

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  19. sad story, beautiful kitty...i love those poppies!

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  20. Oh Laurel, I'm so sorry to hear about Little Girl. I know that's very hard and I'm sorry she suffered at the end. I adore her looking through the red poppies. She looks peaceful. My heart goes out to you and I'm sending healing energy to Sammy.

    Btw, thank you for your kind sentiments on my remember piece. Healing takes time (a life time) but, it's the journey, right...

    Enjoy your week ;)

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  21. It is really great that you were able to immortalize a memory and really bring it back to life with your drawing. It's hard to let go of an animal which you share your life with, best of luck to Little Girl's parents.

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  22. Lovely and lovely story too. Your watercolours and great. Like the Polar one as well!!

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  23. She was such a cute kitty with the white spot on her nose. How's Sammy doing now? I've finished the "remember" illo. and posted it now!

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  24. Hi, studio lolo
    Thank you for passing by...
    I can understand now why you stopped especially under my cat's picture
    I would like to manage to do so beautiful drawings...

    The problem with our dear friends animals is that their life is so short...
    The cat you commented is my neighbour's cat He is mischievous.
    He managed to have a baskett in our garden (where he was sleeping when I took the picture) ! And sometimes he catches our birds
    Never mind he is so cute...

    Yes, it is difficult for me too to well understand another langage
    It is why I created that blog with some of my pictures I prefer
    I have two other blogs, one speaking about my garden ("jardin de marguerite")and one called "cergipontin". "Passerelle" is the blog where I put pictures and all my links...

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  25. Awww. So sad. :o( Nice memorial, though!

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  26. awww. what a sad story! Great tribute to the cat!

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  27. I love the kitty's long face. Makes it look wise. It has the look of a bard.

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  28. Very nice tribute, lovely watercolour.

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  29. Thanks for caring for Little Girl, and Sammy, and their parents-- and for sharing the beautiful painting.

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  30. Hard reading that narrative, but a fine tribute. I suppose sweet can be used too much, but, she is sweet and beautiful. It's a wonderful thing, your compassion for animals and it shows strongly in this piece and others. You touch people with your artwork. Beautiful!!

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  31. That's so sad. Beautiful tribute to Little Girl.

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  32. Thanks to all of you for your comments regarding Little Girl, and your well wishes for Sammy.
    Sammy had his blood test yesterday and it's looking promising for him! His kidney values are steadily declining, but we'll still have to keep him on fluids for a while longer. He's eating better, and now he gets to go out in the yard for a little sunshine each day to perk up his spirits. He's a fighter, so we're hopeful he'll pull through! Your positive thoughts will help, so please keep them coming :) Thanks!

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  33. cripes... what a sad story...

    and what a perfect memorial!

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  34. So sad. What a terrible loss. My heart goes out to you, Laurel.

    Sweet painting. Thank you for sharing your fond memories.

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  35. That's so sad :( I'm sure she loved you as much as you did her.

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  36. Beautiful pic and I'm sorry to hear this :(.

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  37. like the grey red contrast

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  38. Poor cat - and poor people, who loved her.

    Beautiful poppies.

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  39. So sad, beautifully delicate drawing though!

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  40. sad story wonderful looking cat like the red poppies

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