4 weeks later, My friend Lakasha (Who's cousin was Spice's pet...Thank you, LaLa) and I brought Frankie and Lily home to Minneapolis, where we shared 7 wonderful years until we moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 2007. After getting physical exams from their Vet in Minneapolis, they were so good on the plane ride to Phoenix (with my Dad's help). Neither one of them cried or howled. Kitty Valium works wonders.

We have lived in apartments both in Minneapolis and Phoenix. They have always been indoor kitties. Frankie's favorite toys were catnip "sacks", laser lights and Friskies catnip treats. Of course, no toys were good enough unless the toys were contained in plastic at the store, to keep the scent of the catnip intact until I got home. Finicky, right? My girls :)

Frankie loved to be sung to. Her favorite songs were "Upside Down" by Jack Johnson and "Candy Girl" by New Edition. She and Lily loved Bruce Willis movies. They love the sound of his voice. Lily loves "Ho Hey" by the Lumineers.

Have been so lucky to have found the perfect Vet Hospital for the girls...Scaredy Cat Hospital in Scottsdale, AZ. Doctors Grant and Wood and their Vet Techs are amazing people and it's such a calming environment. Frankie and Lily would howl in the car on the way to their yearly appointments, but once there, the girls never cried, scratched or howled...even with bloodwork. A testament to how wonderful these people are.

http://www.scaredycats.com

April 2014: Frankie was drinking and peeing more than she should. She lost weight in her hind legs and abdomen. She was still very frisky and loving. As a nurse, I thought that maybe Frankie was diabetic or possibly had a thyroid problem. Dr. Wood confirmed diabetes after blood tests. She put Frankie on insulin twice a day and her diet was changed to a prescription...low carb, high protein. Frankie flourished. Her peeing and drinking was under control. She loved her new food. She didn't mind the injections. She put weight back on and her blood sugars stabilized. Thank you, Dr. Wood. Lily had bloodwork too and was fine. No diabetes or thyroid issues.

On October 10th, I was home from work that day and it was like any other day. She was zipping around the apartment in full kitten mode after getting her breakfast and insulin. Frankie never exhibited any signs of being sick. No cough...no lethargy; no hissing, scratching. Nothing. At 2pm, she let out the worst cry I hope to never hear again. She was gasping for breath. Her lips were turning blue. Her hind legs gave out. Thought that she had choked on something, but no. She hadn't. We hurried over to see Dr. Wood, who immediately put Frankie on oxygen and kitty valium (or something that calmed her down). She was diagnosed with Sudden Onset Congestive Heart Failure with blood clots in her legs. I didn't want her to suffer so I made the decision to let her sleep. I got to be with her, hold her and sing "Upside Down" to her after she passed away. It was surreal. Even Dr. Wood and the Vet Techs were crying with me.

The Vet Techs made a clay pawprint of her and I get to bring her ashes home on Friday, October 17th.

Lily knows that something is not right. Have been at her side loving her up and watching her behavior like a hawk. Will be taking her to see Dr. Wood for bloodwork and possible ultrasound to rule out heart disease. Will keep you posted.

Thank you for letting me tell our story.