On Wednesday we took Gracie back to the veterinary hospital in Surrey as she wasn’t eating and was getting very weak. We expected the worst then but it turned out that the chemotherapy she’d been receiving was doing its job and had reduced her spleen and lymph nodes back to the normal size. Instead it was the side effects of the chemo that were affecting her appetite. They kept her in for a few days to stabilise her and fit a feeding tube so we could get some nutrients into her while her appetite was low. We went back to bring her home yesterday but she’d taken a turn for the worse overnight and was very lethargic. The vet advised us to leave her with them a little longer so they could get her stabilised again after her latest dose of chemo. Sadly it was too late and we received a call this morning to tell us that she’d died peacefully in her sleep overnight. We’ve both been very upset to lose her so suddenly but it was a comfort to know that she passed peacefully while sleeping. I did take a couple of quick snaps of her at the vets yesterday but I promised Gracie I wouldn’t post them so this is a shot I took of her in 2008 as I wish everyone to remember her - lazing around in the sunshine, posing for my camera like a pro. It’s very odd not having her here – the house is so quiet and I still keep imagining I’ve heard her jump down from the bed upstairs.

Thank you all for your kind thoughts and comments over recent weeks – they’ve all been very much appreciated. We would have liked to have had more time with Gracie (it’s only just over four years since we adopted her) but she was a wonderful friend and we both loved the time she was in our lives.

I know well how you feel Helen. My sweet mog did the same leaving me after only 9 years (too early). I'm still missing him so much. Great image, adorable beautiful Gracie... I remember all her photos :-) ????? · 2011-01-16: 10:22

I am so sorry to hear that Helen, I know exactly how you feel because I experienced this with my dogs. But from this experience I know as well that some day a new kind of noise will fill your house and heart GKorts · 2011-01-16: 10:24

Oh Helen, I am soo sorry to hear this news. I know how hard this is to get through, and my thoughts are with you. McMommy · 2011-01-16: 10:39

I feel so sorry for your loss. I know that pain... Great image and sweet memories... ????? · 2011-01-16: 10:42

I'm very very very sorry for your loss Helen. As you know, I'm a ''recent friend'' of yours on photoblog, and have loved gracie shots as i've told you. when I've been absent so i didn't have much time to know and read everything that was happening along. now i've seen this and i swear my heart stopped for a moment. sometimes people say ''oh it is just an animal..'', but to me if i had a gracie, it would be like a company, a little friend, a happiness and a cute thing that sometimes would make us mad. As I could see gracie was a very good cat. In memory of her I'd like to give you my sentiments. I know it is a pain... feeling no longer her near you. But i'd like to tell you something, and maybe gracie would agree if she had thoughts and could talk. why soon don't you buy or get a new cat? like a gracie sister. of course you will never replace gracie, but i'm sure in memory of her, she didnt want you to be alone. animals as people are like this..some go some come... and again i'm very sorry to hear what happened.... these days will be lonely to you, as i am sure she was one of your ''best friends'' ... Good bye Gracie, RIP onlyricky · 2011-01-16: 11:12

So sorry about Gracie. I'm glad you have such wonderful photos of her to keep the memory of her close to you. MoMac · 2011-01-16: 11:14

I am so sorry for your loss, I am sending peaceful thoughts in your direction. She was Beautiful. Have peace in knowing that she is no longer in pain. HUGGS to you, may your heart heal quickly and your memories remain only of the happyness that she brought to your lives. HUGGS. karmankwarner · 2011-01-16: 11:14

I'm so sorry Helen. I have lost several cats so know how you are feeling. Gracie was a lovely cat and you gave her 4 happy years and did your very best for her in her recent illness. Lynda · 2011-01-16: 11:15

How sad, I will miss seeing those wonderful pictures of Gracie, but know you will miss her even more. Mgb527 · 2011-01-16: 11:23

I am so sory to hear his Helen - it is the bittersweet outcome of pets. They become a total part of our lives but always leave us too soon. I am glad you have such happy memories of her and those wonderful photographs you have shared with us. Thinking of you cariad · 2011-01-16: 11:26

I am so sorry Helen. I am sending you hugs and all my best thoughts to help you through this time. I have loved seeing your pictures of Gracie. ????? · 2011-01-16: 11:45

I'm sorry for you Helen ! Garcie was a beautiful girl and I hope that very fast you will have one other quite small and cute... :) josy63 · 2011-01-16: 11:55

I am so sorry for your loss, Helen. She was gorgeous and a friend, a gift from life! wildduck · 2011-01-16: 13:24

Oh Helen, I feel so sorry. I want to send you a big hug, keep in mind all the great moments with Gracie and she will be alive always inside your heart, ????? · 2011-01-16: 13:41

I know how that feels! It is really hard to get by. Sometimes you'll get up and call for her, just then remebrering... I still miss my cat very much, but I know that it is better for him, then living with hurt or having to go to the vet every week... I send you all the strength you need and hope you can give another shelter-cutie a new home someday. kisses! snowpie · 2011-01-16: 13:47

I am very sorry :/ Losing a close one is never easy. I hope you will always bear the good memories of your time together with you. MsCumberdale · 2011-01-16: 13:52

So sorry to hear this news, Helen. lgnelson · 2011-01-16: 15:54

I am sorry too Helen. It's a beautiful picture of her. She suits her name. A hug to you. caroleagle · 2011-01-16: 16:42

cute. joycephotography · 2011-01-16: 17:01

My sympathy Helen. I have a lump in my throat for you and for Gracie. She was loved and had a wonderful life I am sure! Take care of yourself!! danrav · 2011-01-16: 17:23

beautiful profile picture! tomie · 2011-01-16: 17:41

Oh, Helen, I'm so sorry. You will miss her very much and so will we. You have so many wonderful photos of this beautiful girl....I know they'll help keep the lovely memories alive in your heart. lookagain · 2011-01-16: 19:36

Oh, Helen - I'm so sorry to hear this. My heart goes out to you and your husband. At least you have the comfort of knowing she died peacefully, but that won't fill the hole in your lives. She was blessed to be with the two of you, people who loved her, and one can easily see that she felt loved and secure. Her memory will be a blessing for you in the years to come. Annabelle33 · 2011-01-17: 02:03

I'm shedding unashamed tears for you..Gracie is out of pain and misery..but I know how your heart aches and how you miss her terribly..I think sometimes I feel my cat on the bed with me..I think sometimes they are still with us in spirit :-) NellyBly · 2011-01-17: 14:26

I am so sorry to hear that, Helen...I know how you feel.... Knowing that she died peacefully will help you, but it still hurts...we all miss her! She sure posed like a pro for your photos... Eiram · 2011-01-17: 15:12

I am so sorry to hear this. I always loved looking at your photos of Gracie. I never knew I could get so attached to a cat, but having my own I understand now how you must be feeling. At least she had the best of homes! AnneMarie · 2011-01-17: 21:12

Precious! davidcardona · 2011-01-18: 08:40

I'm so sorry for you, Helen. Ryana · 2011-01-18: 11:33

I've been away and only just seen this. I'm so sorry to hear about Gracie, especially as the chemo seemed to have been working. Like others have said, I will miss seeing her picture too and I've got tears in my eyes at hearing your news. Sad as it is to have lost her, I hope it will be of some comfort to you that she obviously had a very happy life and knew she was loved. alison · 2011-01-23: 12:15

I've only just seen this now, I'm so sorry to read that Gracie has died. It's always so hard to lose such an integral member of the family. ????? · 2011-01-25: 11:40

Tagged: gracie cat