Savannah is gone—I am thankful she chose me
HIYA! MOM L HERE—with leaky eyes…
At 12:58 AM, PDST, July 9, 2024 my world ceased to move. A silent soft gasp stopped movement in the universe as my precious heart kitty, my Nana, began her painless journey to The Rainbow Bridge. With her Dad P and me by her side, me holding her swaddled in a soft blanket, we whispered our love in her ears and cradled her like our baby and then we asked the compassionate emergency vet to release her to begin her trek. Savannah, my Nana, is gone.
Thank you Ann for this heartfelt image of my Nana.
My sweet special rescue girl has been the light of my life since December 2011 when Peter and I brought her home to foster her. She had been dumped in a night drop box at the county shelter in 2010 and after a few months of not being able to get this shy terrified cat adopted—they placed her on the euthanasia cart.
My Intake Photo: Kill Shelter
A fellow volunteer at the nonprofit we volunteered at pulled her to foster her until a spot opened up at Kitty Corner. Bless Miss Tammy for saving Savannah for us and paw hugs for Miss Chrissy for keeping her safe at Kitty Corner until we found her.
But, there at Kitty Corner, she languished, seldom touched, hiding from the volunteers and potential adopters for over a year. The Peter and I started to clean once a week at Kitty Corner and Peter found her hiding in a small cubby against a wall. Such a gorgeous kitty; Russian Blue gray and white toes in front and full white socks on her back paws—a white bikini on her tummy and stunning white chevron under her chin. And those glorious green, turquoise, gold eyes! Such long white whiskers.
After one month, December 2011, we realized that Savannah needed to be our forever kitty and on January 3, 2012, we officially adopted her. She had already begun her path of recovery and she and I started her blog February 2012—Savannah’s Paw Tracks: A former shelter cat making a difference. And that she did—make a difference in the lives of many cats and dogs. She became their rescue champion. Using her blog to Paw It Forward by helping them find medical care and forever homes.
Savannah, my Nana, was the creator of this blog. I have simply been her typist. Her calm demeanor, silly antics and steadfast trust in us helped me help her to find her Real Self. And this blog has always been her way of sharing her journey of recovery from trauma in her first six years that we will never know the truth of. But Nana, aka Savannah aka Savvy aka Savvydo—definitely left her paw prints all over my heart and my soul.
I see her every day, all day out of the corner of my eye. I catch a glimpse of her watching me from the top stair or hear her meow that always meant she was ready for another bite of food or ready for her treats. My days over the last two years of holding her in hospice care were completely dedicated to watching over her.
We knew she had many life-threatening health challenges; CKD stage 1, then stage 2 and finally early 2024 stage 3, IBD, heart murmur, severe arthritis. She was diagnosed in 2020 with hyperthyroidism but we cured that through the Radio Cat treatment as Nana hated taking pills. We talked with Nana and we three decided that we wanted her to be comfortable but would not take extreme measures to keep her with us for only a few more days, hours. We gave her fluids every other day for 18 months, and same with transdermal prednisolone.
On Monday night, July 8 about 10 PM PDST, I saw her try to cross the living room to reach me on the couch. She kept falling to her left side—I feared the fluids I gave her in the late afternoon had pooled in that left leg and I caused her lack of balance. But then I realized Nana simply could not stand. Her left leg was useless. Peter carried her upstairs to me on our bed and we held her and cuddler her while we talked over what to do.
My heart knew this was it. Nana had been sleeping very close to either Peter or me and right up against our chest, shoulders; practically in our faces. She has been saying goodbye for about a month. Domino has been keeping very close to her over the last two weeks. It all came together that night July 8—Nana was going to leave us. I finally told Peter what I thought; she had thrown a blood clot. She had a stroke.
We left by 11 PM for the emergency hospital. Me riding in the back seat with Nana in her carrier with the door open so I could comfort her with my soft touches. She hated riding in the car.
The vet working that night was incredibly skilled and compassionate. She examined Nana then asked us to first tell her why we brought her in. We recounted all we have been doing for her over the past 2 years and then I told her I was certain Nana had a stroke. The vet was relieved that we already knew that Nana wasn’t going home with us. So, she made a room comfy for all of us and brought Nana to us and gave as much time to say our good byes as we wanted.
Nana just went to sleep. Past all pain; her sweet face so relaxed and trusting. But the light had gone from her brilliant green eyes and I knew my heart kitty was on her way to join our precious Sage at The Rainbow Bridge. She is forever free of old age and a body deteriorating from age. My girl is chasing butterflies and sharing sun puddles with our Sage. Peter and I will be with them again one day—
Thank you from my heart for all the kindness her readers have shown her. My heart kitty, my soulmate, my love forever.
PAW PATS. MOM L
Here is a video of images of our memories of her—I made this five minute video to help me in my deep grief over her passing. I know, it was “expected”—but it never happens the way we hope it will . I wanted her to pass peacefully in her home. But fate had other ideas. So you won’t hurt my feelings if no one wants to sit through this video. Peter and I agreed on the content to reflect our most beloved memories of all that Nana brought to our lives and to the cat and dog blogging world.
Her first months with us Her favorite toys Being Silly She loved stairs Sage and Domino wanted snuggles Fun with her blogging pals Her Paw It Forward projects Her love affair with stuffie Sibe Nanuk Those darling pink toe beans Dad P and Nana AdventurCats Momma’s beautiful Nana
dsa
Savannah's Paw Tracks 
We imagine quite the party, when the sibes and Savvy met, sure my four were there too.
I’m certain they are all taking care of each other. Our fur kids. 😻
Can you believe I have not visited your blog for over a year? I missed Sage’s crossing the rainbow bridge and I missed Savannah’s too. I had feared for a while that Savannah would be, still cried just right now. And Sage? Sage is a shock. She was not old. just middle-aged for a cat. You gave both of them a good home and the dignified death they deserved in the end. Without you and that rescue that pulled her Savannah would be long gone, just because people cannot see that most cats need time to get adjusted to humans.
Yours was one of the earliest blogs I followed, and now your beautiful Savannah is gone. I feel with you as much as a stranger from another country can who never knew your cats for real.
We were thinking about you and stopped by to bring Healing Pawkisses🐾😽💞
thank you so much. I am still heartbroken and unable to talk about my Nana without collapsing into tears. My boy cat Domino is still looking for her. He loved snuggling against her and she allowed him that privilege.
Savannah has always been an inspiration to us she will be greatly missed in the blogging world. Your girl touched so many hearts. Purrs of sympathy and paws of comfort for your loss of this special girl.
We’re so sorry for the loss of your beloved Savannah. We send you comforting purrs and gentle headbonks. Purrs and hugs
Linda and Peter, I’m sitting here typing with tears streaming down my face. We are so sorry to read of your beloved Savvy’s passing. She and you shared the most wonderful life together, and we are so grateful that you shared that with all of us. Sending you so mch love and all good thoughts. Please let us know if there is anything we can do, okay? XO
What a beautiful tribute! I’m so sorry for your loss. It seems that the longer we know a kitty, the harder it is to say goodbye. I wish you the best going forward without her.
I saw the news about Savvy on Facebook. Our condolences to you on your loss of your girl. Fly high and free, Savvy. I will be greeting you at the Rainbow Bridge. Love, Simba
TBT: I visited earlier, but the tears made it too hard to type. I have a hard time with kitty-losses.
I am so sorry to read about Savannah. All I can offer is that she is no longer in pain/falling/unhappiness.
The Mews sent their best Purrs Of Comfort to you at this sad time.
I remember when you brought her home and started her blog. It’s been a long journey, but she chose it by persisting, and loved it and you two all the way. I’m sorry her earthly journey has ended. You will all be together again some day. Sending healing purrs and thoughts.
Many of us have lost beloved cats; myself, just recently. Yet each cat, each story, each loss if unique. Savannah could not have had a better family, and it was clear that she knew it. Godspeed, Savannah, and God bless her family.
It seems all kinds of wrong to ‘like’ this post. I’m so sorry you lost your heart kitty. It’s always hard to let go but it sounds like you did everything you could and gave her a precious gift when it was clear keeping her with you would be selfish. Bless you for rescue your beautiful girl. I hope with the passage of time, you special memories will replace today’s present sorrows. Sending gentle thoughts of comfort your way. 💔 🐈⬛
I am so sorry for your loss. This is a wonderful tribute, and it’s clear how much Savannah was loved. Sending you my thoughts and condolences.
I’m so sorry for your loss. ~hugs~ What a doll baby she was. Thank you for giving her a wonderful home, taking such excellent care, and helping others while sharing her journey.
Hugs and purrs.
Farewell, Angel Savannah.
Heartbroken for you and the deep loss. Savannah at least is now romping like a kitten with all her lost loves. xAx
Oh, what an empty spot our hearts will feel for a long, long while. Thank you for sharing Savvydo with us and the world. Run and fly free, sweet Savvy. We will miss you forever. *leaky eyes*
Dear Linda and Peter, My heart hurts so much for you. Savvy was such a well loved and sweet girl, and it so hard to believe that she now has her angel wings and is waiting for you at the Bridge. We know when we adopt them that their years with us are limited, but when that day comes for them to leave, it is so difficult to accept. Your video and written tribute to her were so heartfelt and touching. Thank you for sharing Savvy with all of us. I send prayers and will hold you in my heart as you grieve. Your friend, Janet and all the Kitties Blue 🙏🏻💔
We are so very to hear of your loss of Savannah. She is such a beautiful cat with her velvety coat and green eyes.
Savannah was fortunate to have you as her family. It’s obvious that you treated her so well and loved her.
I always say the love never dies. She’ll forever be with you in your heart and your mind.
Take some comfort in the wonderful life you gave Savannah and allow yourself to grieve.
Hugs, Wendy & Dani
For what it’s worth, this cat dad’s eyes got leaky, too, reading about your dear, sweet Savannah. Smudge and I are sending you all the powerful purrs and healing hugs we can muster, though we know it’ll never be enough. My heart goes out to you at this sad time.
I’m so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful kitty she was.
All the many memories you made over the years; may they sustain you now in this difficult time. They will always be there, deep in the treasure box of your heart.
Fly free, Savannah, you are loved forever.
I have made a memento for you, and its on my blog, where you may snag it if you wish. Feel free to use it however you wish.
https://pipoandminkoandfreckleswoofs.blogspot.com/2024/07/in-memory-of-savannah.html
Pingback: In Memory Of Savannah | Meezer's Mews & Terrieristical Woofs
I am so very sorry for your loss. Having lost my heart kitty last year, I know how horrible it is. I believe Savannah is watching over you and that you’ll be together again someday. Sending lots of love and hugs and purrs.
I’m so, so, so sorry for the loss of your beautiful girl. She’ll never be forgotten.
I so sorry for your loss of your beautiful Savannah. We never have them long enough. Huge hugs♥
Thank you for that wonderful video – and for all these years of sharing Savvy with us. We hope she and Sage and all the others Gone Before are running and playing together…but still keeping an eye on the loved ones left here.
We know Savannah was your heart kitty – she was so loved and so fortunate to have found you. We are so very sorry for your loss, but you gave her what she needed at the moment. Soft woos and gentle hugs from all of us.
Hugs and woos – Misty and Timber, all our Angels – Dakota, Phantom, Thunder, Ciara, and Lightning – and mom Kathie too.
Such a lovely post for such a lovely girl. Your patience and understanding gave her the most beautiful life. Thank you for letting us share a look. RIP, Savvy. xoxo Prayers for your family to heal.
Love and licks,
Cupcake and Mom
My first comment didnt make it through, sorry.
Savannah, Nerissa and Dash were the first cats we discovered when we started blogging. We are so sorry that Miss Savvy has left this world, and for your loss of a true star. Such energy that, combined with your own talents, has brought such joy, assistance and strength to so many. Done so much good.
Dearest sweet Savannah, majestic, regal and so very special in all our hearts. While her physical form has passed, her essence lives on in another form. With the good karma you all created, shared and multiplied, I believe she will have a very good rebirth. Perhaps nearby. I am certain she will make her presence known to you, Linda, and Peter. Be strong and let her memories be good, and ne’er dwell on just one mere moment in time when things changed. We shall pray for her and yourselves to have the strength to move forwards with the energy Savannah would wish of you.
Gentle purrs and love
ERin and Mrs H
A most beautiful and deeply touching post for your precious girl. She will be missed by many. Sending prayers of strength during this most difficult time. I am so deeply, deeply sorry. (((hugs)))
I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful girl. I enjoyed the video. It is a lovely tribute for Savannah. XO
Allways good to be the choosen one
Such a beautiful gorgeous kitties you will always be in our hearts love mom & Spike xx 💔
Linda I am so sorry to hear that dear, sweet Savvy has gone to Rainbow Bridge. She is going to be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Peter at this sad time. Sending hugs dear friend. Nose kisses for sweet Savvy at The Bridge.
Linda, thank you so much for your beautiful tribute to Miss Savannah. May your memories of Savannah be a blessing.
Peepers and I both have tears in our eyes, reading this. We’ll miss Savvy so much. Everyone will miss Savvy so very, very much. To know her was to love her. She was such a beautiful and wonderful cat.
May Savvy spend her days runnin’ through Heavenly nip fields, chasin’ butterflies with her Adventurcat pals Nerissa and Dash. And may she find the most glorious of sunpuddles for nappin’, afterwards. And every now and then, she’ll lovingly gaze down on the Earth at her Mom L and Dad P, remembering how much she still loves them and they still love her. She will be in your hearts forever. Always and forever.
I’ll miss you so much, Savvy my pal.
Love & purrs, always,
Seville
I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your dear Savvy. My heart breaks for you. Though it’s been many years, please know you are lovingly in my thoughts. May your many beautiful memories comfort your heart.
Savvy, We loves you and will never forget you. You left a mark that will never be erased. This post and your movie mom L made, is beautiful. If it helps for dad P and mom L to know tbis; St Francis saw you safely to heaven, where you will start your tenth and forever life, and you all WILL, definitely see each other again some day. We all sends hugs and loves to you, Mom L, Dad P and we are truly sorry.
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
dude, boomer, dai$y, tuna, sauce, mackerull and the girl Laura
Dearest Linda and Peter,
It sure hurts when losing a loyal companion like Savannah was!
She was beautiful and blossomed after you adopted her.
The movie was informative, though reading the text was hard to keep up with at this speed.
Hugs,
Mariette + Kitties
Go find RARA Savvy, I know you will be best friends, peace to those that love you,
Thank you for sharing Nana with us. We know how hard it is to lose a furbaby. (((hugs)))
we are so sorry fur your loss of your sweet angel baby!! They never are here long enough.
I am so very sorry you lost your heart cat. I was lucky enough to have two so I know the bond. Savannah is with you always now and lives on in all of us who loved her. Thank you for sharing her life with us in her blog. Sending hugs of sympathy to you both.
This is such a beautiful post in memory of a very special girl. We loved every minute of the video. We can imagine your pain and the feeling of emptiness. They stay with us for such a short time time and always leave such an enormous void when they go. We send you our deepest condolences, gentle purrs ands woofs, and soft neighs to help ease the pain of losing Savvy.
All of us at The Poupounette
Linda, I am so so sorry. Having just been through this I know how you feel and I share your tears. She was a beautful girl and you gave her the best life. Sending you and Peter a comforting hug. ~Sue
Dear Savannah’s family
Savannah had beautiful Sage green eyes, adorable white mittiens, amazingly long lady whiskers, nose of velvet and what looks like a star shaped patch of white fur on her chest. I send you healing hugs for your loss
Cecilia
I am so, so very sorry to hear your sweet Savannah has made her journey to the Rainbow Bridge. What a beautiful kitty she was, and what wonderful loving life she had with you…may all her memories one day replace the tears with fond smiles. I’m sending big teary hugs to you…
I’m sure NAK was among the FURst to meet NAS in the fur – after years across the miles –
We are all sorry yet know
It’s not furever….it’s just….fur now
H&K&W,
Willow & Phyll
I came to give you hugs and love and prayers and POTP in your loss of Savannah,Nana. We have not met before, and you story has brought me to tears. Condolences to both of you in your loss and hugs as you grieve.
Too many tears, I forgot to say thanks for joining Angel Brian’s Thankful Thursday Blog Hop. I’lll link you up so you don’t have to worry about it.
Oh my, the tears are flowing so much that it’s hard to type. Such a beautiful girl and she had a wonderful life and made sure that you and Peter did too. Think of all the rescue kitties that have been blessed because dear Savannah inspired the help they needed. Love and hugs from all of us at Brian’s Home. We’ll always remember you dear Savannah, such an incredible Angel at work now.
Linda, I also saddened that Savanna flew away to the Bridge. She came into your home and hearts. She will remain in your hearts always. This time is so extremely heart wrenching and we never get over it really. We love them just as they are, our family. I am so sorry, Linda and Peter. I will be holding you both in my heart. I know the pain.
Your family and you have lost one of the best. A muse and inspiration who I was lucky enough to meet.
I know if I look at the night sky I will see one brilliant diamond bright star outshining all the others. Savvy has gone but she still shines brightly in our hearts. She will never leave us.
Rest well and run free, beautiful lady. Gentle hugs to the ones who have always loved you, to the ones who will always love you still. Your life here was a blessing, thank you for sharing it with us.
So sorry to read this painful news about your sweet Savannah. It’s always so hard to say goodbye to a furry beloved friend. I hope you can find some comfort in all the beautiful and warm memories of such a sweet girl.
My thoughts are with you. Sending you love and hugs.
I’m so sorry to learn that your sweet Nana has had gone. I know it’s so terribly hard to lose them. This was a deeply moving tribute and I am glad to know what a meaningful and wonderful life she had with you. We send purrs and hope the good memories will help bring you peace and comfort.
We’re so deeple sorry to hear about the passing of your beloved Savvy, Linda. We sure gonna miss that sweet girl, she was one of our first followers and she always had a special place in our heart. Your words and video teared us up. We remembered so many pictures of her😿Soft Pawkisses to comfort you🐾😽💞
Fly free beautiful Soul✨ Until we meet again my furriend💞
we have no words, just tears… hugs to you and a kiss to the sky to your nana, your russian blue princess… thanks to you and to her dad p. for all what you did for your nana and for the whole feline world…