Sensitive, female Maine Coon left her paw print on journalist's heart

The story is by Kathryn Hearn of The Guardian newspaper. It's perhaps not that untypical a story but it does come from a journalist and it does concern a beautiful and sensitive female Maine Coon cat whose name was Lizzy. I've used the past tense because Lizzy has now passed over the Rainbow Bridge because of that common feline killer in old age: kidney disease.

“Some people come into our lives and leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never ever the same.” - Well known saying.

Beautiful Lizzy 'on her throne' in the words of Kathryn Hearn. Photo by her.

But Lizzy played a very important part in the life of Kathryn Hearn when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. And it should be said that at the outset of her relationship she adopted Lizzy because the breeder suggested it as she was very close to another Maine Coon cat called Ollie. They were inseparable actually. And so Ollie and Lizzy were adopted together. Lizzy was considered the runt of the litter and almost died after she was born.

Moving forwards, when Kathryn was 45 years of age in 2012 she developed breast cancer. This is the sort of time where you really need some comfort and reassurance. The comfort of the presence and touch of a cat companion which is exactly what Lizzy provided. And Kathryn says that Lizzy was particularly sensitive to her feelings.

Lizzy followed Kathryn around, "a silent support when I felt the tears of uncertainty welling up". And after surgery she was there at the front window looking out for her. And later when she was exhausted after radiotherapy, she would lie down for a rest and Lizzy was instantly join her, wanting to be by her side, purring. Poignantly Kathryn says that "often my tears spilled on her."

A very sad and poignant moment. Kathryn felt that Lizzy understood her feelings and it "helped me get through some dark days."

Another great benefit of cat companions is that they don't judge. This is a character trait which everybody loves because in life we are in some respects constantly judged. And Lizzy was very loyal as as is usual of all domestic cats in a close relationship with their caregiver.

Lizzy was always there for her running to greet her at the door after a day at the office she said. The support continued until suddenly Lizzy fell ill as mentioned with kidney disease. Her passing was quite sudden. Lizzy was cremated but for five years Kathryn was unable to bury Lizzy's ashes.

In her article published about eight months ago, she said that the time had come for her to bury Lizzy's ashes and say goodbye. It was a five year grieving process which I suspect continues because Lizzy left her paw prints on Kathryn's heart.

I am sure that everybody who has had a close relationship with their cat feels those paw prints on their hearts. It never goes away and you take it with you to your grave.

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Please excuse the occasional typo due to preparing these articles at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I don't have a proof reader.