Elvi came into this world fighting, with me by her side. Her mother was standing up, eating, when Elvi was being born. Before she was even a year old, she was in an accident involving a warm truck engine on a cold day. No one expected her to live through it, except me. She was in the veterinary hospital for over a month, but she recovered and was able to come back home shortly after Christmas.
She was a fiesty little diva. She was a great judge of character, and if she didn't like you, you had better leave her alone, or she was going to put you in your place FAST. lol.
She was by my side through the divorce of my parents, the loss of both of my grandparents to cancer, my rough teenage years, the births of two children, a hysterectomy at an extremely young age, and the deployment of my husband. She was my dear friend and beloved confidant.
Then in 2006, my heart was broken. She was diagnosed with chronic renal failure. The vet only expected her to last another 6 months, but after a diet change and little help with hydration, she fought her way through another 2 years.
She left this life on June 16, 2008, and as always, she held her head high til the very end. And again, I was right by her side. She was 16 years and 2 months old, to the day. She was a beautiful, amazing fur-baby, and I know Heaven is blessed to have her now, and I'm sure she's giving God fits.
Elvira Marie, you will live in our hearts forever. You came, you purred, you conquered, and you will be dearly missed.