This is Lyle at the shelter. Weighing in at fourteen pounds, he was a bushel of love.
This blog post is an homage to a fine, sweet, older kitty, Lyle.
Lyle was surrendered to the local CASPCA six months ago. He had been in the same home for eleven years. The owners had various reasons for letting him go, yet Lyle never really recovered from the separation. Despite daily attention from a devoted feline volunteer, Lyle remained shy, fearful, and distant, making adoption difficult in a facility filled with bouncing, adorable kittens.
It’s been nearly four years since my beloved Miss Kitty departed this life and I finally felt ready to welcome a special kitty into my heart. After filling out his paperwork on Friday, I asked Lyle if he approved. He looked me in the eyes and reached out one paw and began kneading his pillow. I took that as a YES!
Lyle was vetted on Monday, where a new heart condition was discovered. This did not dissuade me in any way. The shelter thought we were a perfect match, and with high hopes, I brought him home on Tuesday.
The ride to Swallowtail Cottage was peaceful. The sunny winter afternoon was brilliant. Lyle made eye contact with me many times from his carrier, sunlight reflecting from his soulful, golden eyes. He even seemed to enjoy the view of the passing landscape. I assured him we would have a good life together. He would have a second chance at love.
Within minutes of arrival, Lyle began choking and gasping. Numerous calls to his vet assured me this was stress related, and I should leave him to quiet. Within thirty minutes he was dead — DEAD!!
Post mortem revealed Lyle died of heart failure. A heart broken from rejection? A heart longing to be loved too long? A heart not strong enough to accept new love?
I shall never know.
The house is again quiet — in its winter mode. I wrestle with many emotions, yet have the highest respect for those dedicated shelter volunteers and skilled professionals, who have the emotional stamina to deal with rejected animals every day. To all of them, thank you. And to all who adopt from shelters and rescue facilities, hugs to you.
For those guardians who dump/discard family pets when they age, shame on you!
Today if you have the chance, please send up a little word for Lyle to finally find peace and unconditional love.
Photo of Lyle courtesy of the Charlottesville Albemarle SPCA.
Copyright © 2015 by Diane LaSauce All Rights Reserved
home, garden, life 
My husband and I gave Lyle a shelter break at our home for a couple of weeks over the holidays. He was indeed a handsome and special kitty, and I cherished the times that he relaxed and wound around my legs and hands, and sat on the windowsill watching the birds. It made me sad that he felt he had to protect himself from the outside world…in spite of being given lots of gentle love by Pat and others at the SPCA for the last several months. I agree with Kristen that we all did the best we could for him.
RIP, sweet handsome guy.
Miette
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Thank you Miette for fostering Lyle, yet his true desire was to have a permanent home. The stress of being surrendered after eleven years and shelter life caused his heart issues while the light sedation on Monday added to his heart failure. If only I found him months ago, he could have had a chance at new love and life. We humans did all we could do, yet it was not enough in the right order.
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People underestimate the stress an animal undergoes when they enter a shelter – no matter how calm and nice it is – from a home. Especially at Lyle’s age. Poor baby. He can rest happily now. Jeanne
~ sent via email
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Diane, Lyle found love at the end of his life and you gave it to him. All too brief, I know. Yet there it is. A willing heart. Thanks for sharing this story…
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Thank you Chris. Lyle’s ashes will go to the kind volunteer who cared for him at the SPCA and who loved him dearly. Forever loved, dear Lyle.
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Oh, how sad. Yet, you note that he is now free. A good, loving way to see the situation, and what a lovely tribute.
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Thank you for your kind comment Cynthia. Lyle was such a lovely boy, or so I was told by his volunteer/caretaker for the past six months. So sorry I could not get to know him. His eyes spoke volumes.
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I am sorry and sad read your post Diane. It had to be heartbreaking since you were willing to share your home and love. I bet he felt that love. He had beautiful green eyes and sadness seemed to be seen. I am sorry for your loss.
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Thank you Donna. Lyle had much fear, from what we will never know. Being dumped by his family after eleven years could be the culprit. Shame on them…
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Diane
Oh, I am so sorry for your unfortunate and sad loss of Lyle.
This would have happened no matter where he was…you graced him with the gift of love and a safe, quiet place for his spirit to move on.
Thinking of you,
Sally
~sent via email
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I am so, so sorry. Sending you love and light. I know you are beyond heartbroken. You still did a wonderful thing trying to help an older cat. I know this doesn’t help you much now, but for whatever reason, it seems he needed to come home with you. Maybe to know that a human would love him again, even if for a little while.
Jeanne
~sent via email
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So sorry about Lyle…Do try again. There is a kitty out there waiting to share his/her love with you. Poor Lyle never had a chance at happiness…he was heart broken from the minute his family brought him to the shelter…Look again soon…Marie
~sent via email
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A kind note from Lyle’s vet:
Hi Diane,
I hope you have been feeling a little better over the past day. Lyle is missed already at the CASPCA and both you and Lyle have been in my thoughts. Lyle’s post – mortem exam was consistent with heart failure, but unfortunately there is no way to be 100% certain of this diagnosis. Based on his physical exam, your recounting of the event, and the post mortem exam, I feel very strongly that Lyle passed away from heart failure. I also feel very strongly that everyone involved in the situation did the best they could have at the time and acted with Lyle’s best interest in mind. I am so very sorry for the series of events and know it was a lot for you to go through. If you would like any more details about the Lyle’s post mortem exam or the physiology of heart failure in cats I am happy to provide you with information.
Thank you, Diane, for opening your home to a cat in need at the SPCA. I think you would be a great cat volunteer if you ever feel up for it.
Let me know if you have any more questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Kristen
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OMG how sad. But you gave Lyle the last love he knew. He was at peace knowing he was going to his forever home. I hope you are ok. Hopefully he didn’t suffer physically for long. Heartbreaking literally. There is another match waiting for you…
Audrey
~sent via email
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Such a beautiful kitty and post. So sad for your loss. 😦
Thanks for sharing!
PAS
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Diane,
I just read your blog. What a sad story . . . for you and for Lyle. I know how heartfelt was your decision to bring him into your life and I agree it sounded like a perfect match – the two of you. Lyle’s heart must have been too weak for another transition but your decision to try to give him a home was still a brave, loving act. Thank you on his behalf! I hope you will try again when you have another opportunity.
Sandy
sent via email…
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What a sweet tribute to a beautiful kitty. I can’t imagine your disappointment and am so sad you didn’t have longer together. I am very proud of you for your kindness to Lyle and I hope that another beautiful kitty finds its way to you.
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Loving greetings to Lyle, very sweet cat. Did he have too much weight..? Maybe that would be a reason that his heart couldn’t work any longer.
I’m sorry about your sorrow, but I believe he now rests in peace.
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Thank you Taina. What caused his heart to fail is difficult to determine. Just sorry we did not have more time together. Time for Lyle to know he was wanted and loved…
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Yes, I’m sure he knew that. Animals are so sensitive with instinct. Lucky he had you.
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Diane, I’m so glad you posted about Lyle and gave him a lovely memorial. He was a handsome boy. I have no doubt that Lyle is now calm, happy and at peace, and he left knowing someone – you – wanted nothing more than that for him. In a most unanticipated way, it’s what you gave him. Hopefully, that helps heal your heart. Jeanne
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Thank you Jeanne. Your words are such a comfort. Wherever Lyle is now, I hope he feels unconditional love…forever.
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