Sakhara came to me from the Humane Society on October 5, 1999, shortly before Violet returned from spirit.  She had birthed a litter of kittens there, and then nursed many others who had lost their mothers.

When I brought her home, she was very thin, having given her all to so many kittens.  I’d never have guessed the true color of her fur because only the undercoat, a pale cameo color, was there.

The Humane Society estimated her age at 1 and a half years, but one of my veterinarians thought she was at least a year older than that.

The first night we were together, I had an allergic reaction and reluctantly had to lock Sakhara out of my bedroom.

Although I was able to resolve my allergies completely the very next day with hypnotherpy and NLP, that first night seemed to set the tone of our relationship.  Circumstances chronically seemed to interfere with us creating the close bond we both wanted.

Sakhara was a very dominant cat, but her style was sweet, compassionate, and gentle. She never fought with anyone.  She might hiss and raise a paw, but you knew from her energy and her eyes that you’d better back up fast.

Sakhara was a powerful teacher of patience and kindness.  Even as a small kitten, Violet would tell Animal Communication students that she (Violet) was “top cat” in our family, but Sakhara would tell them, “I’m really top cat, but I let Violet think that she is.”  How true!

The most reticent cat I’ve ever known, I found it difficult to have conversations with Sakhara.   She would refuse to answer my questions.  She kept her feelings about most things to herself, and when she was younger, I was not as tuned into her subtle ways.

Fortunately, she was more generous with my TWA (Telepathy with Animals) students, who highly valued her teachings.

Being ground was one of Sakhara’s most important services to me and my home.  In a TWA  course, she once showed someone an image of me floating high above her like a Macy’s Parade balloon, tethered to her for grounding.

For most of her life, Sakhara had various digestive problems.  She eventually had to have dental surgery.  Her teeth were so fragile that the surgery took 3 hours because her teeth kept breaking and had to be removed piece by piece.

When I finally got her home from surgery that night, Violet didn’t recognize Sakhara because her scent was radically changed from all the anesthesia and drugs.  Violet told me over and over,

“You brought home the wrong cat.  Go back and get my friend.”  Thwack!  Violet would cuff me.

This went on for at least 5 days, which was hard on all of us.  Finally, Sakhara “smelled” right to Violet, and I was forgiven.

About 4 years ago, Sakhara was found to be hyperthyroid and had to be on medication for the rest of her life to control it.  Although she was never diagnosed with kidney issues, I treated her as though her kidneys were failing because she drank large amounts of water for a cat on a raw food diet.

Melissa, our newest addition, had trouble integrating with Sakhara.  Melissa wanted to be “top cat” and Sakhara, even tho’ in ill health, refused to pass the torch to Melissa.

Melissa became more and more aggressive towards Sakhara, who began withdrawing and spending most of her time in her cat cave with Violet.

Nothing I did worked to resolve things, especially as Sakhara seemed to lack the energy to stand up for herself with Melissa.

The times Sakhara did hiss and raise a paw at Melissa, the younger cat would back off.  But Sakhara didn’t have the energy to keep doing that.  She soon became head shy whenever Melissa approached her, and Melissa, being very fast, resorted to sneak attacks when I tried to interfere.

Moving towards departure.

About 6 weeks prior to her leaving, I set up a place for Sakhara in the huge dog crate in another room so she could have some peace.  It had become impossible for her to eat or use the litter box without having to get past Melissa when she was in the main part of the house, and Sakhara no longer wanted to be there.

Sakhara readily settled into her new private space.  She was depressed and kept saying she wanted to leave her body.  Some days she ate more; other days less.

It was challenging to sort out what was going on.

Was she depressed because she was in the room alone?

Was she depressed because of how things were with Melissa?

Was the depression because she didn’t feel well physically?

If I found ways to help her feel better, would she then want to stay?

Sakhara got chiropractic and acupuncture and other alternative remedies, but nothing seemed to turn the tide.  Meanwhile, her bowel function had also deteriorated and was making her quite miserable.

The day after Sakhara moved into her space, I carried Violet in to see her.  They had never been parted, and I knew Violet was upset.

Understatement!

Violet took one look at the situation and began screaming with rage at what was happening.

With Violet still in my arms, still yelling loudly, I withdrew.

It took Violet another two days to accept that Sakhara wanted to be in there and was getting read to leave.

Finally, on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, both Dr. Amy Matthews, D.V.M. of Frontier Wellness in East Granby, CT,  and I reached agreement.  Sakhara wanted and needed to leave, and needed help to accomplish it.  We made an appointment for the evening of July 13, 2017 for Amy to come to my home for euthanasia.

I immediately told Violet, Starlight, and Melissa what had been decided.

Their reactions?

Melissa was happy.

Starlight was sad.

Violet was resigned.

And then I said to Violet,

“Violet, you aren’t doing very well either.  You know that your body, too, is failing.  Please consider that you can leave the same night as Sakhara.  Otherwise, you may have to wait until next week, and that might be very difficult and uncomfortable for you physically.  Or we may have to go to an emergency veterinarian center, and I don’t want you to have to go through that.”

Violet just looked at me, and didn’t respond.

Sakhara left her body on Thursday, June 13, 2017 between 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. with the assistance of our veterinarian friend, Amy Matthews.  Amy came to my home so that the entire process could be gentle, peaceful, and sacred.

Starlight says this about Sakhara:

I love Sakhara.  She was an inspiration to me.  Although she didn’t want to play much by the time I came, she would always make an effort while I was a kitten to play just a little.  She was gentle and kind as I was learning how to be a cat.

Now, I miss her very much.  I hope she comes to speak with me soon because I want her to know how much I still care about her and how much I miss her.

Sakhara was truly a beautiful cat, and also a beautiful being.  We have all been blessed by her presence.  Despite all the challenges, or maybe because of all the lessons she taught me, my love and appreciation for her continues to grow.

PHOTO SERIES:  Sakhara at Play