Is it a dream? Oh, is it a dream?

By Jenn Howe

Good night, majestic queen. 👑

Muffin “Fluff Junk” Crazy Tail

2008-2025

She died yesterday.  

I’m typing this in the early morning hours of November 13th, 2025.  First light is barely showing.  It’s my first sunrise without her, for over 17 and ½ years. 😩

I’m inconsolable.  I’m lost.  I couldn’t sleep all night, without her soft fluffy little body cuddled up against me.  I kept picturing her head slowly lowering onto the table — big beautiful eyes still open — as she fell asleep after the first injection before her euthanasia.  She was strong and graceful and full of love until the last second.  She wasn’t just a good girl.  She was the VERY BEST girl. 🌟

Obviously, millions upon millions of people have lost their beloved animals.  I’m not unique in my grief, and I’m clearly aware that no animal can live forever, no matter how much we might wish they could.  

But damn – almost two decades is a LONG TIME to love and intimately know an animal.  We were so bonded.  I feel that I’ve lost a piece of myself.  The atmosphere of the house even physically FEELS different.  You can feel her absence in such a powerful way.  Coming home without her body (as we wait for her cremated remains) was gut-wrenching.  I actually felt sick.

I’m so grateful that my daughter Lana drove several hours to be here with me…before, during, and after Muffin’s departure from this planet.  She provided emotional support, tried to help me with any tasks, and constantly asked if I needed anything or if she could do anything for me.  We held each other and cried after Muffin’s heart stopped beating. Many of you who have followed this blog since the beginning already know – Lana grew up with Muffin, and she is devastated, too.  This is surreal and brutal, but we’ve tried to comfort each other the best we can.  

Pooky, our other beloved cat, is still with us.  She spent over 17 years living with Muffin, and I’m afraid of what this might do to HER, as well.  She hasn’t eaten for the better part of 24 hours now, and she keeps roaming around the house looking for Muffin, sniffing anything that Muffin touched before she left.  Oh, my heart… 💔

I won’t say much more right now, because I can’t.  I’m too broken and overwhelmed.  

For now, I’ll leave you with several photos of our beloved girl over the years.  

The “Rainbow Bridge” better really be a thing…in one form or another.  Because I don’t want to exist in a universe without my sweet girl.  

All of you out there — hug your fur babies tight and enjoy every moment with them.  They always have to leave too soon.  

And Muffin…

Fly high with the angels, sweet one. 🪽 Bounce across the universe and go wherever you want ✨ …as long as you eventually bounce back to me.  Thank you for spending your life with me. It was an honor to care for you, know you, and receive your affection. I love you so much, forever and ever…

Love, your human mama. ❤️

She is everywhere now…but most of all, in our hearts. ❤️
Little girl, getting to know us.
Lana, trying to imitate the way Muffin stretched out to sleep on our couch. 2008.
She used to climb into the shower with me (???). 😂 2009.
She also liked to…sit like a human. 😆 She always made me laugh.
When her favorite place to nap was the dish drainer. 🤡
With her sister from another mother, Pooky (on the left).
Gambling addict.
Bandits, caught in the camera flash!
That hair, always WILD. 😂 That face, always sweet. ❤️
Supervised playtime outside. She LOVED the sun. ☀️
Pretty lady.
These two…always in a window.
Soft and blurry sweetie pie. Eyes that could melt your heart.
A happy family…
…and a goofy family. 🤪
Babes in Toyland.
A photo taken when she & I were both babies.
Pleased as punch to be a reindeer…obviously. 😂 (Sorry, baby. You were so cute though.)
Stretchhhhhhhhh.
On 120 film, looking proud.
Mama, I want your attention!
Someone is ready to eat. NOW. 😂
Trying to crawl into my purse.
Always pretty in green.
On 35 mm film, checking out the neighborhood.
Soft and stunning on 35 mm film.
Bedtime, mama! Muffin always slept in bed right next to me (if we didn’t have company). ❤️
My baby sneaking up on me in the grass.
Feeling older and getting tired. Still a beauty.
Who doesn’t love a Muffin kaleidoscope?
Nearing the end: feeling weak and kidneys failing. 😢 I took a week of vacation and stayed right by her side. Here she is next to her space heater (one of her favorite things), and a stuffed squirrel toy. 💔
THE FIRST PHOTO: her very first night with us, sleeping with a very young Lana. I crept into the room in the middle of the night to check on them, and this is what I saw…then I snapped the photo. ❤️
THE LAST PHOTO: right before we headed to the vet to put her to heavenly sleep. 🪽 I wanted to let her see and feel the sunshine one last time. ☀️ 😢 Photo by Lana.
A card by Lana, which she read to Muffin before she died. Also, a lock of Muffin’s lovely hair. 🕯️

🔗 ⬇️



https://youtu.be/m88kgA7rGsU?si=is-



❤️

Until we meet again, angel. ✨
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2 responses to “Is it a dream? Oh, is it a dream?”

  1. premamadhurya Avatar

    Dear one, my heart is broken to hear about your lovely Muffin. As I write this i’m with my beloved Lavender, Secretary Lavender (whom you may remember seeing pics of) She is going thru the same and will be leaving me any time now. She’s been my constant for 18 years. Don’t know if i’ll survive this loss. My heart goes out to you and Lana.

    1. Jenn Howe Avatar

      Oh no! I know what you are going through, then — it’s the most terrible thing. I’ve been stressed out and pushed to my limit for WEEKS as this approached and I had to make this nerve-racking decision…and now THIS — the shattering loss and heartbreak. 😩 I know nothing I say can make it better…but at least you know you provided a happy life full of love and tenderness. I’m sure you did. Enjoy every moment, best you can. ❤️

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