Donna Frost

A lot of you know that my sweet little cat, Salem, passed away early this morning after being ill for sometime. I have had his picture on my profile this week. It's been such a sad time for me and the first thing I want to say is thank you to EVERYONE who has called, emailed, posted messages for us on Face book, I am overwhelmed and touched deeply. I wanted to share my story of this very special cat, who was a miracle indeed...10 years ago this very week I had lost my black cat named Sylvester, who was a very special cat that I was mommy to for 16 lovely years.

In October of 2002, I was coming home from playing a gig and saw a black cat in the yard next to mine...it looked so much like Sylvester I did a double take. I knew it wasn't Sylvester, but he sure looked like him. Several nights in a row I would see this same kitty. I tried to approach him, but he'd run off across the street. Soooooooo, I started bringing food and milk with me and leave it where he was hanging out.

One day my nephew Jett and I led this little kitty all the way to the house with the food and milk and here he stayed for the next 7 years. He was so small, I thought he was a kitten. I took him to my vet and he said "Donna, this old cat's been around the block a few times. He's at least 5, maybe even 7 years old". We had all the tests run and Dr. High says "Well, you have a choice. This cat is feline leukaemia positive and probably won't live over 2 years. You can put him down now or take him home and see what happens". Those of you who know me best know that I would and did opt for choice 2...I said, "I'm taking a chance on this little cat and see how long he makes it!" We named him Salem after the cool black cat on "Sabrina the Teenage Witch". And Salem became a great source of inspiration to me.

That cat had such a strong will to live. He had illnesses through the years due to his weak immune system (he never did go into full blown feline leukaemia by the way)..he was not given a chance to live on more than one occasion and he would rally and come back stronger than ever. He was the coolest kitty. I loved those little head butts he'd give me under my chin when I was holding him. He and BJ had many good times together...sometimes they'd fight, but then when they didn't think I was looking, they'd be lying side by side together...and they did love each other, no doubt. Salem would go on walks with me and BJ, and what a sight that was...me, my dog and cat all out walking together...my next door neighbour would marvel at Salem walking with us every step of the way.

My niece and nephews all loved Salem and he would let them wag him around everywhere, he never minded. He loved it. Salem had become ill during Christmas this past year and we defeated the grim reaper once more. he had been doing well the past 6 months with medication. For the past year, he had a tumour, which could not be operated on because of his weak system, but he'd been hanging in there. He went down again in recent days and on Monday my vet said he was in kidney failure. We began treatments to try to bring him back once more but he took a turn for the worse late yesterday afternoon. I was told I could a) get a blood transfusion which probably would not do any good at all, b) put him to sleep, c) take him home and let him die on his own...which I of course, opted for #3.

Our sweet friend and BUNNIEgirl Turina came to be with us through it all and I never would have made it without her. We held Salem all night and made a last ditch effort to the emergency clinic to see if we could pull him out of this, but it was not to be. We went home and took him outside to see all his favourite trees and places, and ended up in the gazebo where he loved to hang out...and that is where he took his last breath with Turina, me and BJ with him. He is now in a beautiful spot out back here with trees and flowers all around that I can see from my sunroom window.

Tonight I am dealing with the fact he is no longer here, looking for him everywhere...and he spent a lot of time in my lap when I'd be on my computer...so it's very strange not having him here now as I type this. I am thankful that he didn't suffer at the end, that he went peacefully with us. He was a true blessing in my life, every day we had together was a gift and he will live in my heart forever. I learned a lot from that sweet cat, he overcame so much in his life and inspired me with every battle he won. I grieve tonight, but I bask in the sweet memories of the past 7 years I shared with Salem. Again, my thanks to all of you who have shown concern and love for us this week. It has truly touched my heart.

 Love to all, Donna