A Tribute to My Beloved Cat Dottie

When I first laid eyes on the gorgeous fiery calico cat named Dottie I knew that she was a very special cat that needed extra love and healing. She had that look in her eyes that told me that she had been through some rough times... some trauma- but she was a fighter, a warrior and a survivor... Just like me! I had great respect for her even before I heard her sad story about her kittens being poisoned at her feral cat community. Her one kitten that survived the ordeal was adopted immediately. However, Dottie was condemned to live in cage for around 4 or 5 years until I finally decided to rescue her from that cruel existence.

I met Dottie around 14 years ago at a cat rescue/ sanctuary called Sante D'or. I had actually started volunteering there to keep an eye on another cat that I had rescued from under my East Hollywood building. He was in need of medical attention and a loving home. I already had 2 cats and unfortunately this injured cat didn't get along with one of them. I was also not prepared to take on another cat. 6 months later my rescue cat was adopted but Dottie was still in her cage, very feral and labeled unadoptable by Sante D'or. Everytime I visited the rescue I made sure to spend a little time with Dottie. I even brought her kitty grass once or twice and noticed how much she loved it. I believe I may have also brought her a toy or two. We were bonding.

In 2013 I became a reiki energy healer and started providing healings for some of the cats at Sante D'or. Soon after that my close friend/ roommate asked me if I wanted to adopt a female kitten from a litter of kittens that his friend was giving away. That's when I told him that I didn't want the kitten but that I actually wanted to adopt approximately 5 year old feral caged Dottie. She was actually about the same age as my two boy cats but half their size. My friend agreed and after thinking it over I went to Sante D'or to talk to Dottie about the situation. As I approached her cage she let out a little squeak which allowed me to understand that she was already aware that I had been thinking about her and that she was ready to come home with me. She was always quiet and that may have been one of the first sounds I ever heard her make. (She actually ended up being a very vocal cat lol... which was quite unexpected) I knew that we were completely in sync and that I had made the right decision. But it wouldn't be easy!

Dottie immediately bonded and fell in love with my cat Felix who showed great interest in Dottie as well. However, the situation with my cat Roscoe was a whole other story unfortunately. They were experiencing difficulties getting along but I was just too set on keeping Dottie and couldn't bring myself to return her to that wretched caged life. So there were obstacles,...many obstacles. It wasn't a perfect living arrangement but we made it work.

The owner of Sante D'or reminded me to make sure that there were no holes in the wall in my home and to make sure Dottie never got out because she would never come back again. Well, both of these events occurred! One of Dottie's first great adventures, soon after being adopted, was getting stuck in a hole in the wall in my kitchen- a hole that I didn't even know existed. But thankfully we got her out! Dottie also managed to get out of my apartment for 17 days. I miraculously lured her back to our 3rd floor apartment with the help of her beloved soulmate Felix. It was very difficult. I was unable to trap her in a cage. She actually had to walk up the 3 flights of stairs on her own... but she did it! Dottie did seem to have a lot of fun when she was out there though and I'm glad that she was able to have that experience. I even caught her chasing a rat one time. Unfortunately she brought back a whole bunch of fleas when she returned.

Dottie also had the privilege of experiencing animal communication and healing sessions a couple of times. Although not perfect, Dottie lived a very good life- much better than having to live in a cramped cage. And she was and still is very loved. Dottie was and still is a beautiful soul and she was a great challenge. We were each other's challenge I had to earn her trust. After around 9 or 10 years she finally felt comfortable jumping on my bed with me in it. As she grew sick she would allow me to kiss her on the face. Although she would vocalize a little squeak as I approached her. This magnificent beauty hid out of site for most of her life but she surprised us at times appearing out of nowhere to greet guests. As she became more comfortable, she started coming out more. The owner of Sante D'or said that Dottie would never feel comfortable coming out for strangers... but she did come out to meet people she didn't know on quite a few occasions. Although very fearful in nature, she was able to overcome some of her fears. Dottie learned her life's lessons, grew and evolved into a wise elderly cat.

When out of hiding, and not be chased or harassed by Roscoe (or getting her favorite toys hidden from her by Roscoe) she enjoyed sitting on the balcony and hopping around making ridiculously loud noises while playing with her favorite toys. She particularly loved her Ikea rat and her bird. She enjoyed stretching out on the carpet or on my bed which she couldn't do in a cramped cage. She loved kitty grass, food (especially scrambled eggs), lots of water in her last days and her beloved life partner Felix. In Dottie's final months of life Roscoe surprised me greatly by exhibiting compassionate acts such as licking Dottie on the head and sitting with her in her cat bed. He was no longer chasing her or being aggressive. At least it appeared that way to me. I was so glad they were finally getting along. Being as sick as Dottie was, she needed to be treated kindly and with compassion.

On Tuesday evening of October 22nd Dottie looked exhilarated as she ate her final meal in her physical body- her favorite! Scrambled eggs! She only ate a tiny bit but I was so glad to see her eat, but so sad that I was to lose her soon. On that final night and morning my cat Felix was quite aggressive towards Dottie and nearly killed her before she died. I guess that was just Felix's unorthodox way of saying I Love You and Goodbye. He is quite the aggressive cat. I think Dottie understood though. But she was weak, and after spending those last moments with Felix she seemed absolutely ready to move on.

The next day I purchased her last kitty grass. Her eyes lit up with great excitement. And although she was unable to eat it she inhaled the aroma with great joy. I made her a little bouquet of the grass to hold in her bed with her. On Wednesday October 23rd as Dottie passed away to the spirit world she had her favorite rat sitting with her, a bouquet of grass in her hand which was placed on an amethyst crystal and a ye ming zhu dragon's pearl under her delicate. emaciated, yet still beautiful body. I told her that she would have a wonderful sleep with beautiful dreams and that when she awoke out of her physical body she was welcome to stay with me and I would feed her more scrambled eggs that night. Dottie sure loves to eat... So guess what? She stayed!... And she is still with me right now helping me write this article! Thanks Dottie! Thanks for staying with me! To be continued!

Jennie H is a Reiki Master Energy Healer, Co-Founder of Self Saviorz Society California Non-Profit 501(c)(3), Poet, Author and Entertainer with goals to help raise the vibration and consciousness of humanity!

Dottie is an amazing cat spirit who left her physical body on October 23rd, 2024, but decided to stay with Jennie to experience the outside world, eat more delicious cat food and people food, help write this article and watch over her beloved soulmate Felix! She says that she's happier now that she's not in her physical body! She is no longer fearful of getting hurt and she can really enjoy life now! The after-life life!