not what i wanted to hear.

noel has cancer.
i never thought she would live as long as she has. of all the cats and dogs in my life, they have almost all had short, ill-fated lives. noel was different from the moment i saw her curled up on the side of the highway just outside of yazoo city as i made my daily commute to jackson for work. she's been cuddling and loving and kissing and nuzzling every since then. she's continued to be playful and frisky up until recently, playing with the dog's tennis balls, rolling in cat-nip, and watching the squirrels prance around in the yard. i'll always remember her as the tough little cookie with the sweet, warm heart. she stayed right by my side, literally, when i was ill with a severe case of pneumonia (not to mention all the bruises, sniffles and sneezes before and after). she put a 120 lb rottweiller in her place with the flick of a paw (packed with razor sharp claws of course)and makes it well known that she prefers the company of canine companions rather than her own feline kind. she has always been quite fond of giving kitty kisses, nuzzling, and giving love bites, even on the tip of your human nose. she is easily enchanted by the sound of whistling and has developed an affinity for lounging in front of a roaring fire.
i'm grateful that i've had seventeen long years with my little black and white fur ball. she's hanging on despite the fact that this is an untreatable and highly aggressive type of feline cancer. she has trouble eating and her throat is very inflammed. i am hoping to prolong the inevitable. i'm sure she will let me know when the time is right. for now, i'll cherish the time i have left with her, my little baby cat.