I received this gorgeous letter from WSU about the donation made by two of my Vets at Feline Medical Clinic. I actually thought I was being solicited to enter Vet Medicine. I seriously have never been more aware of pets, especially cats, than after my recent loss. I said-Please no more signs. Then I sat down, reflected upon the Doctors contribution and the acknowledgement of my loss. It's overwhelming. Iris was not the only pet to enter my life, as I also had my other love Hannah until the summer of 2016. Both of them have been through everything with me and originally my mom. She adopted three back in 2003 at a new home, and although she lost one early on,she had Iris and Hannah until she(mom)fell ill and needed nursing care. I loved my girls too much to let them be put in alternate care, so they went with me. From Pennsylvania to LA. Then, little by little, I lost pieces of myself an we were on a continual move and downscaling. I always put them first and God always provided. I lost my Mom in August 2015. The following summer she took Hannah, who I think despite equal love,was her other favorite. So it became me and Iris. I have never experienced love like I have with Iris.That is the only way I can say it. A new hurdle was coming and I hope she is with my mom now realizing how much I loved her(an all)and never did I want her to leave me. She got sick quickly but battled vision loss due to hypertension and CKD/diabetes. She was an active 18 year old. We had a mild winter an I asked God in February for snow so she could sense it and maybe see it to a degree-something to bring excitement to her. And when people said it was going to be warm and summer is here-bam-multiple snow filled days. Amen. I hurt beyond words. As I have spoken to my counselor and my mental health doctors on this, for the first time in 46 years I wanted to die at the same time. I was there for her final three breaths and I am destroyed emotionally. I love and loved Iris so much. I believe she knows despite her health challenges. I begged my mom from the other side that when each was ill, please take them so they don't suffer anymore. She did. I have the blessing of today's world of video and pics and I watch. Often. I cry-Daily. I miss like never before. I handle my grief piece by piece and though I have not reached out to the services you offer, I am in such support of them. And the gifts given by my Vets Burhenn and Dr. King. Everything changes.I hate the grocery store now. Everything has a picture of a cat on it it seems. It's amazing what is conceptualized at times. I am covered in snotty tears right now and after just seeing this letter knew I had to thank those involved and put my story an images out for me and in rememberance of the amazing times. I have said for years that the best gifts ever given to me were my two girls that taught me a love I have never felt before. Impossible road trips were amazing. Horrible moves were tolerable-all thanks to having them with me. My two cats used to have a huge ranch home, then on our moves, each living opportunity got smaller.They hated each other but they knew I loved them. They made it work an they carried me through some of my darkest times. It is amazing what the heart feels in love and loss. I ache. I am not alone. And I thank you whole(yet broken)heartedly.