Before Dave and I had kids, we fostered animals {mostly cats and kittens} from the SPCA. When I was about 6 months pregnant with my first son, Matthew, the shelter had a huge increase in their kitten population. We agreed to take on a few kittens {okay 12 kittens!} but said that they would have to be gone by the time the baby came. Slowly, the kittens were adopted until we had one left. I don’t know why he didn’t get adopted. He was extremely sweet and affectionate and one of the cutest of the bunch. We called him Big Blue because he was the biggest kitten that we had and the only one that came with a blue collar.
As my delivery date approached, we made plans to give Big Blue to another foster family. We already had three cats and a dog of our own, and, with a baby on the way, did not have time for another cat. On the day that Big Blue was going to be leaving us, Matthew decided to arrive. We were off to the hospital at 4:30 am so Blue’s transfer date was put on hold. When we brought Matthew home, Big Blue decided that he was Matthew’s little guardian angel. Wherever Matthew was, Blue would follow.
Two weeks after Matthew was born, we were told that he had a hole in his heart. He was put on medication and we waited to see if he would require surgery. Due to his low energy, eating was difficult for Matthew and he would generally nurse for about two hours at a time. Two hours later, he would be hungry again. This made for very long nights and Big Blue was my faithful companion.
As soon as Matthew was up, Blue was there. He had a little mouse that he would play fetch with {I didn’t even know cats did this!}. Time after time, I would throw the mouse for Blue while Matthew nursed. Blue would race after it and the drop it back right beside me. When he wanted a break he would curl up on the nursing pillow beside Matthew and purr away. This continued every night and every night I was thankful to have my Big Blue to keep me company.
When Matthew was about 7 months old, the doctors decided that the medication was not enough for him and open heart surgery would be required. As far as heart surgery goes, it was a common operation. For Dave and I it was a very scary thought.
About 2 weeks before Matthew’s scheduled surgery, Blue stopped eating. We took him to the vet where they found a small mass in his intestines. They did a biopsy and we were extremely happy when it came back negative. Blue was placed on antibiotics and we were very hopeful that he would recover. Over the following week, however, Blue still refused to eat and became weaker and weaker. He continued to carry around his little mouse but could no longer play fetch. 1 week before Matthew’s scheduled surgery, we had to say good-bye to our Blue.
On August 25th {after one surgery delay!}, Matthew ended up finally having his surgery. Our little miracle went from this…
To this…
in just one week!
I have had many pets over the years and have loved every one of them. But I do not think I will ever have a pet like Big Blue again. After Matthew’s surgery, his nursing improved dramatically and he no longer woke up during the night. Blue had been there while I needed him and left when his job was done.
So why am I writing {and crying!} about this over 6 years later? Today I was moving out our old oven to get ready for the new one and I came across this:
It’s Big Blue’s beloved mouse!
We miss you Blue!
We miss you Blue!
What a sweet story. So glad you were able to find a sweet memory of your old friend.
:'( how sad! I keep ‘hearing’ our boston that we had to put down in December so I can’t imagine unexpectedly running across a toy!
aww! SO sweet! makes me want to cry!
OMG, I am crying right now! What a great story..thanks for sharing!!!
Oh the tears! God Bless you for you little boy miracle and you blue miracle!
Normally, I don’t comment, I only “lurk” but this story was too good to NOT comment on. This totally made me cry and miss my cats horribly. I have 2 cats that I had to leave at my moms when I moved into my apartment. Cats are such great company (and dogs too). You were truly blessed to have a cat who loved you and your son, as much as you guys loved him! 🙂 He stayed with you just as you needed him.
Thanks for sharing this story. 🙂 It touched my heart. I think I might go visit my kitties tonight!
This is one of the sweetest stories I’ve ever read. He really was put into your life just long enough to help you. Thank you for sharing!
JENN! I am bawling! You know how much I love cats! Aweeee I love the pic you Matthew and BB!
xoxo Thinking of you! xox
That was so well written Jen. Now i can’t stop bawling….We just got a second kitten for Christmas and we love her so much–they are all so different and so wonderful.
Wow, what a sweet story! They do say EVERYTHING happens for a reason.
Oh wow, I didn’t even know Big Blue and here I am crying just thinking about him. He was a special companion and was here for a very special reason, it is wonderful that you needed him as much as he needed you. Great story!
Jenn…. noooooo!! Oh me!! Such a wonderfully sad and precious story all at once… AHHHHH!! Tears are rolling here… I love animals… we have 2 dogs and one cat… I don’t have children so they are like kids to me… they behave that way, too…LOL! Such a great cat!! WOW!! And your son… Jenn!!! I’m so happy he is doing great!! Great Story!!!
(HUGS)
Kendra
Hi,
what a story.
Blessed child who recovered, and sweet sweet cat who stayed beside you keeping you company.
I also had to say goodbye to my cat Tico one year this month of february, he will be missed.
Thanks for sharing the story.
take care.
Monica
I am crying. So so sweet and the picture of Big Blue by Matthew is precious.
It’s amazing what pets do for us. So many stories of pets helping in times of medical crisis. Truely guardian angels. They sooth the soul and are in tune to a sort of 6th sense. Thanks for sharing a touching story. Matthew will forever treasure this story!
4growingboys.blogspot.com
so sweet. God is funny in the way he sends us angels. What a sweet story to share with Matthew as he gets older. Thank you for sharing this sweet story!
I came over to see your post because the cat reminded me of my own cat. This is such a sweet story. So sad though for Big Blue!
Ok, Jenn. That is an amazing story. Made me cry. I must admit, I did chuckle too, because I did not know about this cat either. Bad me.
See you in 6 hours! – Jen
Hey Jenn, I came on here to see if you had a children’s chore magnet board or something. I am going to ask you about it today. See you soon.
Animals can really touch our hearts, whether they are with us for many years or a few months. We also had a beautiful cat that was too old & sick to move overseas with us in Aug 09. Zipper was with us through good times & hard times. We miss him very much.
You will always have these wonderful memories of Big Blue. Makes life all the more sweet, doesn’t it?! Thanks for sharing your story.
Wow. I just found your blog through… hmmm, i can’t figure out through who (I’m clickin around link parties…), but this story broke my heart. I am a cat lady, to the core, and I know how special these little souls can be when we need them the most. I am so happy to hear your son is a healthy young boy (his bday party looked like a blast), and I’m glad you and him had a special furry guardian angel during your hard time. I see my cats in everything in my world, and they are still with me. Finding the little mouse must be Blue’s way of saying hello from above <3
Oh my gosh, you have me sobbing! I can’t believe what a beautiful story this is!!! I have three cats and a dog, and your story just touched me so deeply. Thanks for sharing!!
That is such a sweet and special story! Thanks for sharing!
Oh my goodness…what a beautiful story.
~Pam
pamspaintparlor.typepad.com
Big Blue was amazing. I teared up. I know you miss him terribly. I’m so glad your baby is OK.
Your story gave me shivers. And yes, what a precious find. You were very blessed to have Big Blue in your life. I know that feeling oh so very well.
Donna
oh maaan, im totally crying.
and i have to say how amazing the two pics of baby are. what a difference! a miracle.
thanks for sharing your story, even if it made me cry.
What a sweet story! THanks for sharing.
What a touching story! As a cat owner, I am particularly moved. I’m so glad you had Big Blue during the time you needed him. Animals are amazing companions.
What a precious story..I am here thru Funky Junk’s link party. Big Blue was a guardian angel. I have also found momento’s from our precious Ruby, it has been 3 years and I still miss her everyday. Thank you for sharing his story!
What a sweet and sad story at the same time! Thanks for sharing. It’s nice finding out more about you 😉
Hugs, Jamie
Thanks Jamie! xo
Such a beautiful story❣️
Thanks Amy!