Vassilissa

[aceofkittens]

RIP, Vassilissa
5/18/1994-5/22/2008

My mom had to have Vassilissa put to sleep this morning. The cancer in her mouth was out of control. She was bleeding and in discomfort. To say that my mom is devastated would be putting it mildly. It breaks my heart that I couldn't be there for her today in person.

We had Vassilissa (and her brother, Peter), literally, from the cradle to the grave. Those kittens were born in our basement room to a feral cat, Polosatka. A week after they were born, Polosatka moved them outside. She left Vassilissa and after a few hours of the kitten crying piteously, my mom took her and dropper-fed her and never let her go. Some time later, Polosatka did bring the other kittens back, and we kept Peter also. But Vassilissa was always my mom's "baby."

It's hard to believe, but Vassilissa used to be a loving, though skittish, cat. She used to sleep on my pillow and cuddle up on people's laps. She was fiendishly clever, with a cunning, Machiavellian intelligence. If she'd had thumbs, she would have taken over the world. I used to joke that Vassilissa was the evil mastermind, and Peter was her slightly bumbling, but ultimately lovable henchman. It didn't matter — I loved them both so much. They were both so beautiful and stripey. Incidentally, my mom named her that because "Vassilissa the Beautiful" is my favorite Russian folktale. The first website I ever built was for Vassilissa. It had all kinds of cute pictures and links ("Vassi-lynx"). Unfortunately, it was on geocities and got deleted a few years ago when I didn't log in for a few months.

Vassilissa's temperament changed — for the worse — as she got older. She wasn't so cuddly anymore and she was awful to Peter. After we got the other two cats, Vassilissa never forgave me. Somehow, she knew I was responsible. Boy, that cat could carry a grudge. She peed on my stuff repeatedly. She abused the other cats. She peed in my bed. She peed on my DVDs. She got more and more crotchety. But, throughout all this, she loved my mom with a bright, fierce intensity. And oh, how that love was reciprocated. They really were Soulmates.

Peter has been gone since 2004. So many things are gone now, forever and indelibly, with Vassilissa's passing. It's hard to explain, and maybe I don't want to. I just want to say: Sleep well, cranky girl. I will miss you so much, my beautiful, wise Vassilissa.

Comments

[invisiblebf.livejournal.com]

She was very loved. Your mom's house will not be the same without her. *hugs*

[aceofkittens.livejournal.com]

Thank you, sweetheart.

[fairyarmadillo.livejournal.com]

hugshugshugshugs

[aceofkittens.livejournal.com]

Thank you! {hugs}

[topteddy.livejournal.com]

hugs

[aceofkittens.livejournal.com]

Thank you. {hugs right back}

[sassycat8.livejournal.com]

Huge hugs and love

[aceofkittens.livejournal.com]

Thank you - give Madeline an over-squeeze for me! {hugs}

[trystbat.livejournal.com]

Awww, I'm so sorry :-(

[aceofkittens.livejournal.com]

Thank you. :( Ah rar roo.

[colubra.livejournal.com]

Oh condolances. :(

[aceofkittens.livejournal.com]

Thank you. :(

[chipadeedoodah]

My heart's with you.

[aceofkittens.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much.

[emmiepie.livejournal.com]

how sad!

i send you many virtual hugs :(

[aceofkittens.livejournal.com]

Thank you, elf-friend! {hugs}

[muridae-x.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

It doesn't matter how cranky a cat is, you still can't help but be sad when they're gone. Actually, I always found that I was often sadder about the cranky ones, probably because they swatted me with their personalities that much harder.

[aceofkittens.livejournal.com]

Vassilissa would definitely swat you... with her personality, and some razor-sharp claws. :)

[sjp.livejournal.com]

:-( I'm sorry to hear that. *hugs*

[aceofkittens.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[parisgreen.livejournal.com]

Sorry for your loss. She sounds like a great cranky old cat.

[aceofkittens.livejournal.com]

Thank you... she was indeed a Grande Dame in the Katharine Hepburn way.

[spatterdash.livejournal.com]

I am sorry for your loss. Rest In Feistiness, Vassilissa.

[aceofkittens.livejournal.com]

That is a great way to put it. still has a scar from one time he tried to pet her. :) Thank you.

[wiliqueen.livejournal.com]

She was indeed a gorgeous girl. And I remember her as that skittish sweetie.

{{{{ hugs }}}}

[aceofkittens.livejournal.com]

Thank you... I wish I had more pics of her on this computer. I couldn't find any. I wanted to post some of her and Peter as babies. :(

[aerinys.livejournal.com]

*Hugs and love!*

I'll miss Vassilissa too. She even let me pet her a few times.

[aceofkittens.livejournal.com]

Those occasional moments of unexpected sweetness were always very special. {{{hugs}}} Thank you.

[weezyl.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry to hear this. I wish there was more that I could offer besides condolences. Also, she reminds me of Jenny's cat Alice -- a cat with definite Opinions and a tendency to register displeasure when the world didn't meet her high and exacting standards. :)

[aceofkittens.livejournal.com]

They kind of looked a little similar, too. Grande dames, both.

[ladyeuthanasia.livejournal.com]

Many, many, many hugs, my sweet, to you and your grieving Mom.

[aceofkittens.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much. I have been inflicting a lot of corporal cuddling on Chip.

[echristo.livejournal.com]

*sniff* It just won't be the same without her.

*hug*

[aceofkittens.livejournal.com]

Thank you... you're probably one of the only people who remembers "nice" Vassilissa. {hugs}

[valree.livejournal.com]

hugs to you and your mom. I'm glad you guys gave her a good life, even when she was a bad girl.

[aceofkittens.livejournal.com]

{hugs!} Honestly, if she'd been able to hold tools, I am certain she might have stabbed me in my sleep. :)

[savia.livejournal.com]

*hug*

When I have been the proud mommy of beloved kitties, I have always sung to them. Now I'm singing "Vassilissa" as a tribute, to the doleful tune of "Dulcinea" from Man of La Mancha.


Vassilissa... Vassilissa...
I see heaven when I see thee, Vassilissa,
And thy name is like a prayer
An angel whispers... Vassilissa... Vassilissa!

If I reach out to thee,
Do not tremble and shrink
From the touch of my hand on thy hair.
Let my fingers but see
Thou art warm and alive,
And no phantom to fade in the air.

Vassilissa... Vassilissa...
I have sought thee, sung thee,
Dreamed thee, Vassilissa!

Now I've found thee,
And the world shall know thy glory,
Vassilissa... Vassilissa!



Sleep tight, sweet, crotchety kitty.

[aceofkittens.livejournal.com]

Oh my god, that is so sweet... I love "Dulcinea." Thank you!!!

[scanner-darkly.livejournal.com]

Lynx, huh?

Man, even today I'm still sad Vassilissa had to go.

[aceofkittens.livejournal.com]

Me too. :(

As a baby, she had those black little ear-tufts like a lynx.

[aceofkittens.livejournal.com]

I know. :( {hugs}

[burningempires.livejournal.com]

awwwwwwww, i'm so sorry :-(
she's with peter and my booboo now at least.
<3

[aceofkittens.livejournal.com]

Thank you, sweets. I know you know how this feels. :( {hugs}

[pokiedot.livejournal.com]

so sorry irina :( i know exactly how you feel. they are family and nothing can ever fill the void of losing them. but she's not suffering anymore. your mum did the right thing.

[aceofkittens.livejournal.com]

{{hugs!!!} Thank you. I know you're right.

[pancetta.livejournal.com]

I am so, so sorry. I somehow missed this post till just now. On the bright side of things, Vassilissa is finally feeling better and she is healthy again.

I hope to god that Chip is okay and it's something that can be easily fixed.

[aceofkittens.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much. My mom knows she did the right thing, it just really hurts. But it was such a rough few days, and then, this thing with Chip. :( {hugs} Thank you.

[mango-king.livejournal.com]

Even more hugs your way. :(

[aceofkittens.livejournal.com]

Thank you, sweet Mango King!! ♥