Rest Well Little Zena

ZENA

Around 11:00 I found Zena laying limp in her little bed, breathing shallow. I had just been holding her 20 minutes earlier. I called the vet, wrapped her in my shirt and ran out the door. We didn't make it. I told her I loved her, told her to hold on and gave her a kiss on the head. As my lips touched her head, she took her last breath. Zena had many health issues, including having seizures, a heart murmur and cushings. I didn't expect her to live to a ripe old age, but I also didn't expect her to just up and suddenly die without warning. She was 8. I am thankful that it was quick and that she didn't suffer and that she was in my arms. I just wish I had time to prepare myself.

Zena was a character. We got her from the shelter, but she was an owner surrender so we got back ground information on her. Her old owner used to breed her, and Zena was very maternal. Whenever I had a foster litter of kittens, Zena would always try to take care of them. She would groom them and keep them warm. Even when Luna and Katrina were pups, she would spend just as much time mothering them as Bonita. I don't think she ever quite got it as the puppies grew to be bigger than she was. Zena was just so little, that even my small puppies got bigger. She was so little in fact, that she was a shelf dog. She loved to take naps on the shelf of my night stand.

Zena had many nicknames, Jellybean and Princess seemed to stick the most, and eventually we just called her Jellybean Princess. And now my Jellybean Princess is gone. Two hours ago she was licking peanut butter off of my finger, and now she is buried beneath a tree next to Pip.

Rest well little one, until we meet again. I am sure I will find you resting in a sunbeam at the bridge. You always loved spending hours resting in the sunbeam.