Pippa Neal

It is with great sadness that I (Jess, Pippa’s mommy) share that Pippa lost her valiant battle with kidney failure on September 23rd, 2020.



Pippa came into my life 6 years ago when I was looking for a buddy for Huey, who at the time had tons of energy and seemed lonely with my long work hours. I wasn’t even looking to adopt the day I walked into PetSmart and, as is my custom, went by to look at the adoptable kittens/cats. I like to smile at them through the window and let them know someone cares. Well, that particular day, I decided to go in to hold what I thought would be a few cats. As soon as I got back there, however, a tiny gray kitten started meowing at me with all her might. She made such cute little pipsqueaks. As soon as I unlocked the cage, she practically leapt into my arms and immediately burrowed into my neck. I knew this instant bond was too precious to pass up. I was a bit worried about not finding the right fit for Huey, however, so my mom also went in the next day and talked me into adopting her after she met and held little Pippa. She saw right away what a sweetheart Pippa was. I had put in my adoption application, and thankfully did so soon enough because the list for her adoption had started to grow. I brought that sweet little baby home as she cried intermittently in the car and helped introduce her slowly to Huey. I tried to initially follow the guidelines for introducing new pets to one another, but they were so curious about each other that I just let them hang out. There was a brief hiss by one or both of them and then they were fast friends.



Pippa and Huey were inseparable even up until the last days of Pippa’s life. Huey couldn’t have been prouder of his baby sister and he always made sure to take care of her. His temperament quickly changed and he became a much more loving, gentle cat. He took to cuddling with her, something they did almost every day when Pippa was well. I can’t tell you how many pictures/videos I have of the two of them snuggling, and they all warm my heart. Pippa loved boxes, her favorite hoodie drawstring, going outside on her harness for adventures, and cuddling with her mommy. There wasn’t a day that went by, even on the last day of her life, that she didn’t want to be held by me. If I was seated, she was in my lap. She would always come up and nudge me or make her little pipsqueak sound, so I knew she wanted to be held. She would then burrow into my neck and purr away. Pippa slept in my bed, curled tightly in my arms every night, including the night before her death. That is one of the things I will miss most: all of the wonderful snuggles with my sweet girl.



I learned on September 5th, 2020 at a routine vet appointment that Pippa had kidney failure. It was so advanced that there was nothing that could be done to reverse its course. I have been working from home for the past 6+ months and didn’t notice anything unusual, so this came as a total shock. I tried a brief course at giving her fluids under the skin, but it was not enough to slow the inevitable. Pippa was the most loving and playful cat, right up until the end. I am so thankful I have had the opportunity to work from home during the Covid pandemic, because I have had the most precious time with my 2 fur babies.



The morning of Pippa’s death, I woke up, and she had begun hemorrhaging blood from her mouth, which was in bad shape from bad teeth and compounded by the kidney failure. Unfortunately, the bleeding became profuse and she was near to death. Her body was failing, but she loved until the end. Pippa still wanted me to hold her and carry her outside on the patio by my garden for one last look before I prepared her to leave for the vet’s office. It is so sad to me when an animal is such a fighter, but we know the suffering will only worsen if nothing is done. With my vet’s guidance, I knew this was the most humane decision.



I had started preparing myself since the vet appointment on September 5th, but this still hit me like a ton of bricks. I have a pit in my stomach as I grapple with the loss of this sweet, gentle creature. Her life may have been brief, but I tried my best each day to make it the best one possible for her. She will be greatly missed by both myself and her brother, Huey. Please keep us both in your thoughts and prayers as we adjust to our new normal. Pippa may be gone physically, but she will be in our hearts forever! I love you, baby girl!