GA Sootie Memorial Video

I started work on this video as an OTJ celebration and sadly finished it as a memorial when Sootie passed away unexpectedly.



From Sina - Sootie's story, a testimonial to the love and care Sina and Steve have given to Sootie, her littermates, and their entire fur family:

"How Sootie, her sisters and litter mates came into our lives.

In the late 1990's I began to work for a local veterinarian after a number of years of being in the small family insurance business that I entered when my father became ill. I had changed professional gears to support my parents during their time of difficulty. Some years after my father passed away, the industry was shifting in ways antithetical to small businesses such as ours and my mother's health began to decline. The decision was made to sell the business.

When I began my work at the local veterinary clinic my mother was ecstatic. "You are in the right place because you share real love for animals," she said knowingly and lovingly.

Integral in Dr. H's clinic was his ongoing orphanage for abandoned animals, the first and for many years the only true no-kill rescue in the area. Each of the staff took turns managing the orphanage. My turn to do so seemed be more frequent or for longer durations than for others! We often brought home sick and injured orphans to nurture back to health.

During Spring 2000 we took in far more orphans in a much shorter time span than in previous seasons. Many were pregnant cats and injured abandoned newborn or young kittens found in storm drains, in the woods, in lawn mowers, and so on.

Sootie and her sisters were among those born in the orphanage...the count being over 40 kittens born in or surrendered to the orphanage by mid-April.

Unfortunately a coccidia outbreak occurred, surmised to be caused by a breach in kennel hygiene protocol by new volunteer. All of the nursing moms and kittens, including the kittens who had been placed in with them, got sick....very sick...very fast.

Each of the staff brought home five or six kittens each to nurse to health and quarantine until the outbreak was eradicated. Dr H had just gone away for family business so the relief vet put the affected cats and kittens on a prescription med meant for dogs (if I am remembering correctly, it was the only veterinary pharmo at the time to treat coccidia).

I brought home Sootie, her sisters and others in her group. They were just barely a week old. And I had been in attendance with Dr H when they were born.

Although the rest of the staff kept their kittens on this med, I stopped it soon as I realized it was making them more sick. I put my thinking cap on and came up with a bottle feed 'formula' of basic baby foods, kitten milk, food and herb sourced supplements (including traces of SEB powder!) and colostrum that seemed to make sense to soothe and heal their digestive tracts, add much needed bulk and nutritional support and facilitate detox and to pass food and toxins out of their systems easily. Dr H had returned and he said "give it a try." Long story short and with many weeks of care: the kittens with me were the only ones who survived. By the time they had recovered and were of 'adoptable' age, guess who adopted them???!!! We were bonded from the get-go!

And that is the short story of how Sootie, her sisters Guernsey and Sweetie Pie and their litter mates first came into our lives, home and hearts!

Thank you all in LL for your gentle love, support, guidance and friendship in the joys and sorrows of this, the ever unfolding journeys of life."

-Sina

 

So beautiful!!! We all love you Sootie!! (((Sina))) keeping you close to my heart.

 

Such a sweet story, and a beautiful video for a very special girl.

 

What a beautiful video and story of Sootie and her tribe. Sina, you are one remarkable bean and lover of animals and Sootie and her litter mate were so incredibly lucky to have you to love and care for them.

And all of us here is L & L are lucky to have you part of our family.

 

Very, very beautiful...

 

Absolutely a wonderful journey. Such lucky kitties you stepped up and took them. I know you are saying "we were the lucky ones".

 

What a wonderful tribute to a special girl. Sina, I am so glad that you were always there for Sootie and her siblings from the day they were born, through happy times and and medical emergencies, to the moment when Sootie crossed the rainbow bridge. Thank you for sharing those special memories with all of us!

 

You have a beautiful big and loving heart Sina... you did so much for Sootie and i dont see her ever really leaving you... like you said you bonded early... i am sure she will always be around you... just look for those moments when its her whispering to you that it will be ok

 

What a lovely video, thanks for sharing. Sootie was a beautiful cat. Hugs to you and your family.

 

(((Sina)))

What a wonderful story and a true testament to your and Steve's amazing care of those sweet souls entrusted to you. The video is just beautiful. Sootie's spirit shines through. Thank you so much for sharing.

Peace be in your heart at this very difficult time. I hope Azalea is doing well.

 

(((Sina))) you and Steve have done a marvellous job taking in kitties in dire need, what a heartwarming tale. The world needs more caring souls like you. I am so sorry that what should have been a celebration of OTJ turned into an obituary
Wishing you all things good for 2017.

 

{{{Sina}}}

When I heard the news about Sootie I was in Vegas, in a walkway between two casinos. I just stood there for a few minutes, tears streaming down my face. I don't know how I finished walking to the second casino. I stopped at a counter where they sold frozen adult beverages, thirsty from my walk and tears. The gentleman behind the counter offered me a sample of one, and as I tasted it, without really tasting it, he asked how my evening was going. I told him not well - I had just had bad news - as the tears welled again. I ordered the drink I had sampled, and as I fumbled in my purse he pushed it toward me and said - "This one's on me. Whatever you're going through, I hope it gets better from here"! I didn't even know how to thank him - the kindness to a total stranger just overwhelmed me. As I walked away, I was thinking about how pain shared is still pain, but it is easier to bear because you know you are not alone. Always remember that you are not alone - not only do you have Steve and your babies and the rest of your loved ones there, but you also have a family here. We care about you and yours. We share your pain and your joy. We hope you will keep us updated on dear Azalea, and share your feelings whenever you need to. You will always be one of us.

Thank you for sharing Sootie's story. What an amazing person you are!

Thank you to Camille for sending Sootie off to the bridge in such style. We all needed that, I think.

 

What a wonderful tribute to your sweet girl. It sounds like it was meant to be for you all to be together. Sending prayers as you remember sweet Sootie.

 

((((Sina))))
It is hard when one of our kitties is dealing with an illness that we know may take them away from us sooner than we would like. We at least have some time to prepare ourselves for the loss. When a loss is so unexpected, it's like time stops, you don't breathe, the space between heartbeats goes on forever for cause it is all so unbelievable. It's unbelievable until the next breath and until the grief kicks us in the gut.

Like Tricia said, the people here are a part of your family. While Sooty isn't "ours," you and Sooty are a part of this family and we grieve with you.

 

Dear Camille, Thank you thank you thank you. We are ever grateful not only for your beautiful artistry but also that in the processing of compiling pictures (and more after Sootie's passing) and in writing the description you kindly asked for, sweet memories emerged from the pain of the present. Thank you all, dear friends and may love abounds always.❤️

Thank you, Amanda for your kindness, gentle bolstering and support in crises, joy and sorrow. And we are holding you and your Empress OSHA and family with bushelsful of vines for a smooth sailing new year, too.

Oh, Sharon, Thank you. In these few months since Sootie and I started in L&L, we have have blessed beyond measure. I remember so well you being the first to welcome us. ❤️❤️❤️

 

Thank you, Bobbie and for sharing in and nurturing us through the multitudes of turmoils and joys, with your gentle sweet wise and heart lightening guidance. I feel that, collectively, we all are the remarkable ones in that we share the deepest of love and selflessness for our beloveds.
Hoping Bubba being his inimitable cool dude self and that the New Year rings in with joy and health and happiness for all. ❤️❤️❤️

 

Such a beautiful video but so sad. I'm so sorry it was Sootie's time to leave you. You obviously have a very loving home for lots of critters and I hope your sad memories soon fade as you remember more of the wonderful times you shared with Sootie.

 

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️Amy ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ And bushelsful of hugs and happy vines for you, Trixie and your family in this now soon to be upon us New Year. Many many thanks for all. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

 

Yes indeed, we were the lucky ones. But aren't we all when we find each other? ❤️❤️❤️❤️ Thank you and all blessings in this soon upon us new year.❤️❤️❤️

 

Thank you Christina and all blessings for you and your very-lucky-to-have-you tribe! may this next year be gentle a full of good health and happier times for all. ❤️❤️❤️❤️ Sina

 

thank you Amber. ❤️❤️❤️❤️ yes I feel her presence as a gentle pillow of love all around and all the time. Dancer has begun to take on the mantle of helping me up the stairs each morning now that Sootie's physical presence is not there at the top landing to greet me. I feel that Sootie is guiding us all. May your New Year be gentle and Full of good health and smooth sailing for you and your tribe. 'Til soon and with all thanks.

 

All the credit goes to Camille and MJ for creating such a beautiful and true-to-Sootie memoriam of her and her life. Thank you for your hugs and your kindness and care. Best wishes, too, for the new year for you and yours.

 

Thank you Marje and thank you for your friendship and nurturing us along from the beginning. Camille's video is so sweet and tender...all that is Sootie. Steve was touched to shed gentle tears today as I was and am. Blessings abound and are shared even in sorrow. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

 

Thank,you, Suki. Yes, the world would be a much better place without cruelty and with more compassion. There is an old Chinese fable about when cats ruled the world. I have often thought that this earthly realm would be a much better place now if it were still so. Blessings for a healthy and happy new year full of cherished memories.❤️❤️❤️

 

Tricia, Thank you, dear friend. ❤️❤️❤️What an amazing family this is. And that in your grieving and the shock of Sootie's sudden passing, that a kind soul who could have simply turned away, extended in one moment of empathy a world of compassion that has no boundaries. Yes absolutely and as you wrote: "pain shared is still pain, but it is easier to bear because you know you are not alone." We are not alone. Sootie and all with her in GA are not alone. We are all in the ethereal mix.

Til soon and with all best wishes in the new year and that your ringing in the New Year will be light and buoyed in knowing how much your kindness means and is cherished.

With hugs, hearts and multitudes of vines,
Sina, Sootie in spirit and her tribe of two footers and four footers.

 

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Thank you, dear friend Carla. May the new year be ever gentle and joyful for all. Til soon and see you in 2017.❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

 

❤️❤️❤️❤️Sienne, thank you, wishing a joyful eve and "godt nytar" (sorry, the Dane popping in!). Til 2017! Hugs and hearts from us all, Sina, Sootie and her tribe❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

 

Hello Shane. Nice to meet you and thank you for your condolences and kind thoughts and for liking the wonderful video that Camille created for Sootie. Time helps but so does fellowship. Wishing you all the best in 2017 and with good health and joyful memories. Sina

 

aw, I loved seeing all Sootie's life in video, as well as all the rest of the furbabies. Sootie was lucky to have been in the litter that went to your place, and she was obviously a blesssing to you, too.

Thank you for sharing her with us - you're all part of the Lantus/Lev Land family, and we grieve her loss with you.

 

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Thank you Julie❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

 

Sina, my emotions have been spilling over a lot lately and I just couldn't watch this until this am. What a beautiful tribute to your sweet and beautiful girl! I hope that you and Steve and the tribe have an awesome 2017!

 

Thank you Sandi.❤️❤️❤️ Such a bittersweet time of year even under the 'best' of circumstances. Let's hope we all in this wonderful LL family have an awesomely good year...greens ( ok blues are good too!) and most importantly good health and happy memories all the way. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

 

((((Sina))))
The tribute video is beautiful....and the story of your lives together is a tribute to the love and dedication you shared..it comes through so clearly in each and every photo...
I loved seeing the full happy bellies on the early photos, you would never know they had been so sick.
Sootie is a gorgeous cat as are all in her tribe! Lucky cats all!
I am sure that Sootie is nearby, vigilant ever to ensure you are ok, bonds like that transcend and warp time in the most incredible ways...a gift.
I hope your heart is starting to not be so achingly raw and that the heart shaped patch is starting to be stitched in place by sweet memories.
Gussie especially wanted me to convey his gratitude for the chance to learn the castanets from a master at the Art! He said to let you know that he and Sootie are still tripping the light fantastic!

Sending love and kramar to you and Steve, Sina...
It is a beautiful tribute to an incredibly special girlwe will all miss her, thank you so much for sharing her with us

 

❤️❤️❤️❤️Thank you Les. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
And hoping Gussie bringing in the new year with a better appy than this morning and is busy purring and making biscuits with his bean! Love and scritches galore ❤️❤️❤️❤️