Elliot-A Cat who was an Angel
with Fur
No one really knows how you feel, when you lose a
"special therapy cat". I will try to let you know, my thoughts and feelings as I pay tribute to "Elliot".
Elliot was a Maine Coon cat born almost 11 years ago. He came to The Gress Mountain Ranch, and lived there for only
a little over 4 1/2 years. Wow, what a short time, I had Elliot.
He had several owners before the ranch, and was not
appreciated for his "great affectionate spirit." Elliot was one of the most physically beautiful cats, on the outside,
however, tremendously beautiful on the inside. Elliot gravitated toward "humans of all ages." Elliot loved everyone,
wanted to snuggle, curl up, purr with you, and just be in your presence, 24/7. Elliot's voice would also he heard,
as he talked to us, all the time.
Back and forth, Elliot would have a conversation with
me, telling me all about Elliot! Elliot's heart was so big, he just couldn't get enough of "people." But,
this affection and his generous love, got him ousted out of two homes, "He's too affectionate," and it gets on my nerves,
reported his former owners. I could not believe what I was hearing.
As soon as I met Elliot, I knew immediately, he was
"my kind of loving therapy cat." Elliot came to live with the Gress's in November 2002, and took on the job, of "meeting
and greeting" everyone that entered the door. Elliot would race into the "therapy room" and wait for the clients to come
into a session. Elliot knew his home, his family, and his job of "helping people." Elliot instinctively knew,
how to help the people, and would help me as a therapist, process the pain, hurt, and problems with each person, couple, or
family.
Elliot in June 2004, developed Heliobacter infection,
h. pylori gastritis,"stomach ulcers" and received the needed intensive expensive treatment. Elliot struggled with his
disease, but made it back to the "therapy sessions." It was in 2006, then Elliot developed a seizure disorder. He
was again treated, and was able to return back to "helping people".
However, in June of 2007, Elliot who had being constantly
"giving from his heart, to children & adults", his "heart" had a sudden onset of tachycardia, irregular heart rhythm
and thrombo embolism.
Elliot's heart who had been "giving" for the past
11 years, was wearing out fast." Elliot was treated by Dr. Fortna, at Highland for all of these symptoms, and an EKG,
helped to confirm, my worse nightmare.......On July 18, I searched for Elliot in the morning, to find him, wet under the chin,
and looking like another "attack" . I talked to Elliot and petted him. Elliot headed over to his food bowl, I headed
up the stairs, it was then that Elliot crossed over the rainbow bridge......
As tears, stream down my face, I mouth these words:
"We miss you so much, Elliot, you were truly an Angel with a Giant Heart with enough Love to fill all people!
Elliot, your pawprints have "forever
touched our lives."
