I made my grave marker! We had some stainless steel sheet in our garage and I used it and a Dremel tool to etch info about Biz on it.

I'm pleased with the results, although I'm no artist! Click on the images to see them larger:

It's now been two weeks plus since I had to have Biz put to sleep. I still miss her; I miss the way she leaned her head into my hand as I stroked her; I miss her practice of "flopping" on the ground for a good petting by essentially doing a partial sumersault; I miss her purr that had to be coaxed; I miss her bright green eyes; I miss her tiger-stripes and her floppy belly.

While I have brief flashes of the great struggle she put up in the last few minutes of her life, the good memories and happy times greatly overwhelm the bad. I'm so very thankful that she was a part of my life and that my appreciation for God's creatures and my maturity as a caregiver were expanded and strengthened.

Meanwhile, Zach, our 9-year-old chocolate domestic long-hair cat seems to relatively enjoy being "cat of the house." He had some very late-night meowing episodes in the first few days after Biz was gone, but since they were not litter-mates or really that "close," then I don't think Zach has experienced much "kitty grief."

I haven't put a marker on Biz's grave yet. I'm thinking now of following my husband's suggestion of getting some stainless steel plate or sheet and etching Biz's name and whatever else I want on it. I think I may do that this weekend.

I miss Biz. But it's a good kind of miss with a slight smile on my face. Biz, my beloved.