Our Beloved Mia

Saturday was a very sad day here. Our precious kitty of 13 1/2 years was put to rest. Mia was diagnosed with an aggressive form of lymphoma about a week ago. It progressed faster than any of us expected. Mia stopped eating a couple of days ago and on Saturday she was barely able to move without crying. It broke our hearts. Colin and I were torn with what to do. We didn't want to let Mia go, but we knew keeping Mia here with us would only be selfish. We did not want to see Mia suffer any more, so we decided to put her to sleep.  We did not come to this decision lightly. We are still wondering if we made the right decision. Mia was so sweet and loving, right up to the end, even when she was in pain. Before she passed, I held her for a long time, as she laid her head on my shoulder. We just talked about our good times and how much we all loved her. We still can't believe she is gone.

 Mia was a huge part of our family. She really was like a second child to us. I got Mia with my 3 college roommates over 13 years ago when I was in Tennessee. She was a stray kitten that one of my roommate's coworkers found and gave to us. She knew we had been looking for a kitten. We knew Mia was an extraordinary cat right from the beginning. Mia was VERY well known in our apartment complex. She would walk into anyone's apartment and make herself at home, regardless of whether they wanted her there or not. Mia was also quite the singer. One of my roommates, Becky, used to sing songs with her in the kitchen. Mia would sing every other line to I Love You, the ever so popular Barney song. Still makes me laugh just thinking about it.

She was basically a dog in a cat's body. She loved people, loved to be held, came when you called her and "talked" ALL the time. Quite the personality, this cat. Mia was also very dainty. She didn't drink her water by sticking her head in her water dish like a normal cat. No no no. Not this little lady. Mia liked to dip her paw in the water and then lick her paw. Just the cutest!

Almost 10 years ago, Colin came into our lives. He fell in love with Mia instantly (well, shortly after he fell in love with me...note made by Colin). He still remembers meeting Mia for the first time...it was on Father's Day 2004. Mia was her loud, adorable self:-) She obviously made quite the impression! One of the MANY reasons I fell in love with Colin, was how much he loved Mia. He adored her and she adored him. Watching them together always made me melt.

"Just can't take it!"

Look at the way Mia looked at him....such a sweet bond these two

Just the cutest!

Mia was the best companion. After I had my hip surgeries, she stayed by my side (or head!) after every one pretty much the entire time.  I don't know what I would have done without her.

This is seriously how she would lay day after day. If I was laying on my back, she would lay right by my side.

This was one of her favorite spots on the couch.

Hello there!

This picture always makes us laugh. About two seconds after this picture was taken, the box tipped and the box AND Mia slid down the steps. So funny! Mia....not so amused:-)

It was the three of us for so long. If Colin and I were home, Mia was around. Every weekend, Colin, Mia and I would snuggle in the morning and watch the Food Network while Mia would get some good rubbing. Almost a year and a half ago, our sweet Abigail came along. Mia was definitely jealous in the beginning, but she came to adore Abigail. For Abigail, it was love at first sight. She was always on the lookout for the kitty so she could give her some loving. They were buds.

Awww....look at these two!!!!

A little siesta for our children

Abigail was always willing to share with her sister

We're not quite sure why one of our children is dressed as a bunny indoors, but she sure is adorable!

"Hey sister!"

This is our favorite picture. Our little girls!!!

We did not realize it at the time, but these were the last pictures taken of Mia the night before she passed away:( If we had known, we would have taken a lot more.

I will always cherish the time I had with this sweet kitty

Our house feels so strange. I guess it can be described as a void or emptiness. We are all just very sad. We miss our adorable kitty like crazy. Mia, you were the BEST kitty ever! Heaven received another angel on Saturday. We picture you now playing with strings galore and laying outside, watching the birdies.We love you so much, Kittykins!!! We always will. Rest in peace, sweet kitty.