Tilda Tuesday: My Baby Angel
Who knew that my greatest love would be an orange and white ball of fur with bright green eyes.
Last Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, Matilda passed away peacefully in my lap. For over 17 years, she was my best friend, muse, my playmate, and the sweetest snuggle buddy a girl could ever want.
The routine parts of the day that are the hardest. I miss the morning walks down the hall to the food bowl. Seeing her perched on the bed after my shower ready to settle in and cuddle for the night.
I miss the pitter-patter of her tootsies on the floor on her way to jump in my lap.
She was my rock for almost half my life. I’m sure going to miss that tuna breath. I loved being her mommy.
Her last day was snugly and quiet. We took a stroll through the yard to smell the grass and roll in the dirt. We Skyped with a couple of our closest friends at the very end. The vet came to our home and with great compassion, he reassured me that it was time for her to cross the rainbow bridge. I laid her to rest in the backyard and tossed in a handful of dirt. Patrick came out to finish and held me close while I cried and cried.
This might be the last Tilda Tuesday, at least for a while. As I go through my pictures of her and our time together, I’m sure I’ll post some to share with you. How can I not? But that will happen after some time has passed.
Thank you all for the love you’ve shown for my girl. I have enjoyed sharing her sweetness with you and she loved being a part of this. Hug your fur babies a little extra for me.
Rest In Peace Matilda ‘Badilda’ Marie Consuella Rodriguez Yetter.
Also known as: ‘Tilda, Tilda Mae, TillyToot, Tootles, Turtle Dove, TillyTat-TillyTat, Sweet Punkin’Pie Angel of Love, Baby Girl, my Baby Angel. ♥
Uprooted Magnolia 
Oh Leah, I am so sorry!
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I’m so sorry, Leah! Tilda was truly a joy and an angel.
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OMG!! I am so Sorry for your loss Leah!!.. I look forward to all your Tuesday stories about Matilda.
I know how difficult it was to say goodbye. Matilda is definitely watching over you – her greatest buddy.
Like us, at least you were home to say your fare well!
We also lost our great pet friend, Cheyenne, on November 13th. She was 17 1/2 years old who loved everyone and every animal. Like Matilda, she was very unique!
Our prayers and thoughts are with you, Patrick, and her!!
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Oh, Leah, my heart aches for you. I know how much the two of you loved each other. I will miss Tilda Tuesdays. Sending you hugs from Colorado.
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I am so sorry. What a wonderful mother you were to her. Xox
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Your last day was beautiful. A precious ending to a long friendship. Thanks for sharing it. I dread the day I have to say goodbye to my Buddy dog, but I like how you faced it head on, planned well and gave both grief and joy their place in the process. This post is a gift and a guide.
Best to you in your new days with beautiful memories.
Emily Grace
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So so sorry! She loved her life you shared with her!
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O dear Leah, I’m so sorry for your loss…
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Just adding a little poem that I feel says it all…
If tears could build a stairway
and memories a lane,
I’d walk right up to heaven,
and bring you home again
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I am so sorry for your loss. It sounds like she had a wonderful life with you, and you with her.
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Leah, our hearts hurt for/with your heart. We’re so very sorry. Tilda had style and brought us all a great deal of joy.
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ohhh this made me cry, my bundle of fur has asthma and it can get scary she is doing her in a ball thing on my bed now, my blog lap isn’t wide enough to suit her highness.
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On Leah, what can I say? I am just so, so sorry. We know we have to lose them, and Tilda had a long, loved life, but nothing prepares us. I wish I could hug you and kiss you and make it all better. I love you, sweetie!
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I couldn’t even read it all, cause I’m at work…but I loved the pics!!! That was enough to warrant a tissue. Sad times. I’ll miss my Tilda friend!
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Very sorry, Leah. She was a beautiful companion.
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So sorry for your loss
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I am so sorry, such a beauty! Rest in peace sweet kitty.
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I am so very sorry for your loss, Leah! I’m sure she could not have had a better life. Although she couldn’t stay – in some kind of way she probably will always be with you.
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Really sorry to hear this news. I always enjoyed your photos and stories about Matilda, she must have left a huge hole in your world.
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Sorry for your loss, Leah. We’ve been there twice and it’s a serious challenge. Tilda photos & stories have always brightened my day.
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I’m so sorry for your loss of Tilda. You had a good long while together, gave her a wonderful life and helped her pass with dignity and peace.
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So sorry for your loss, Leah. Awesome Tilda will not be forgotten.
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Through tears, very sincere condolences for the great loss of your beautiful Matilda.
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I am sorry about Tilda. I looked forward to getting the blog link every Tuesday. I will still look for posts about that pretty cat.
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It is horrible when we lose a friend like this. My Tallulah died 5 years ago and I still is her.
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My condolences to you. I know all too well how hard it can be to come to the day one of the fur babies goes back home across the rainbow bridge. I’m coming to that again, my sweet 14 year old PitBoxShepAmute (mom was a pit bull/boxer mix and dad was a shepherd/malamute mix), Charlie, is sleeping more and more deeply. I have learned over the years and a succession of dogs that while they’re no longer here physically, they always are with me and the love they gave is yours forever.
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That’s so sad. Tilda was lucky to have a loving mum like you. We lost a very loved cat last year, and it was very hard.
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So sorry for your loss. Tilda was lucky to spend her life with you. We had 16 years with our Tabby Mardi, who’s been gone for over two years, and we still look for him in all his places and ways. They add such beauty to the day, don’t they?
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There are tears in Texas for you and your darling Tilda. May all of the Tilda love saved in your heart during those special years bring forth each remembered purr and pitty pat of little paws to help you through this time.
Thank you for sharing Tilda with us – she was a special blessing.
God Bless.
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I’m so sorry to hear about Tilda. As someone who has said goodbye to 2 beloved pets, I know how hard it is… Sending big hugs and warm thoughts your way. Thank you for sharing Tilda with us, it was always a joy to see your beautiful photos of her.
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I am truly sorry to hear of your loss. Pets become a part of the family and losing them is never easy. It sounds like she lived a long happy life. Only time can heal such a loss, although never completely. This post brought a tear to my eye.
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[…] you all for your kind and thoughtful comments, poems, emails, and phone calls on the loss of Matilda. You all have been so comforting to me during this difficult time. I know I couldn’t get […]
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Just bawling. Your pictures and stories of Miss Tilly-Mae (if I may : ) ) were lovely and wonderful. Hugs
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What a treasure Tilda has been. I thoroughly enjoy your Tilda Tuesday posts. I am truly sorry for your loss.
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I will miss the Tilda Tuesdays. Take your time, Leah. I will go and cuddle my furry friend a little extra tonight.
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Leah – my computers been down since the first of November and I’ve just now got it back. I am so, so sorry to read about Tilda…my heart aches for you. My last baby lived to be 19, so I know a little how you feel and what difficulty you’re going through. My thoughts and prayers are with you and will remain so for a long long while.
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Oh No – Love Getting to Know Matilda through your posts – brought tears to my eyes reading your post – So sorry for your loss. Take Care xoxo
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Leah, I’ve been away from blogging for several months and am only now catching up. I’m so very sorry to learn that you’ve lost your dear Tilda. I looked forward to your pictures of her every week. Please know that my thoughts are with you. Sara
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Reblogged this on Wise Woman, Crone and commented:
Losing a beloved companion teaches us so much…not the least of which is gratitude that we had them with us for as long as we did.
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[…] with arms flying. It’s nice to have a kitty around although she isn’t as snugly as my Baby Angel Matilda. That’s okay though. If she sticks around long enough, she’ll […]
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