Ellie Mae: 2011 - 2026

Ellie Mae died peacefully in my arms at home this past Friday. Ironically, I started this post over two years ago, with tears pouring from my eyes, after we found Ellie's liver mass. What a ride since then! Ellie Mae fought cancer with everything she had and survived her cholangiocarcinoma prognosis by at least 18 months. And at the very end, cancer was the least of our concerns. Ellie Mae's love moved mountains. I will never understand why she chose me, but she did ... fiercely and with her whole heart. 

After losing Bear, I never thought I would connect with another cat like I did with him. Ellie Mae is the most incredible cat I've ever met. We connected every bit as strongly (maybe even more) - just in a different way. She trusted me completely and never let me forget that she loves me. She fought with every fiber of her being to be with me, until her last moments, when I told her to let go.




EM: Ellie Mae Kat [black, gorgeously floofy lady cat] 
BC: Bear Cat Kat [handsome tabby cat] 

NOTE: The images in this post (below) are AI-generated using Google Gemini. That is not up to my standard of using my own images, but the thought of finding my own images of Bear and Ellie for this post felt overwhelming. I hope our readers understand.

EM: Hiiiiiii, Bearrrrr! I miiiiiisssssed you! 
BC: {groggily waking up and mumbling} Oh, what fresh hell is this?! 
EM: {whispering} Aren't we in heaven? Because if not, someone is going to get a piece of my mind.
BC: {still groggy} Go away. I'm dead.
EM: I know. So am I!



BC: {snapping awake} SMELLIE?!? {looking around} You are? Like really dead? Not just saying that like I do so you leave me alone?
EM: Awww. You called me Smellie ... I never thought I would miss that. Yep. I'm definitely dead.
BC: Wait! If you're here, who's rescuing Momma?
EM: Latte-ish? Ummm ... I didn't really get enough time to teach her how. Momma says she's your love child with one of your torties.
BC: You had 5 years!
EM: I fought cancer for two years! That took a lot of my time. And actually saving Momma took the rest! She requires a lot of snuggles and paws on support. And Latte's a tortie. So she never listens. But if it makes you feel better, when I was dying, Momma told me I saved her. She said every time she advocates for her cat or for herself, it will be because of me.
BC: Why are you here?
EM: I'm dead. Duh. I mean ... this is heaven, right? Otherwise, someone made a huge mistake in my processing. I guess I should ask why YOU'RE here. Hahaha!
BC: Very funny. No. I mean my heaven is supposed to include only the people and things I want to ...
{Pause}
BC: @#$%!
EM: You want me here with you forever! You LOOOOOVE me!
BC: That could always change! Forever is a long time.


EM: You LOVE me!
BC: {mumbling} Love is a little strong ... {loudly} G damn it!
EM:{Ducking and looking around for lightning bolts while gasping} 
BC: What?
EM: {Whispering} I just got here. I don't want to get in trouble already!
BC: For what?
EM: What did you say?
BC: Were you listening? G...
EM: STOP!
BC: Oh. Rats. To be honest, I've been here for 5 years, and I've never been in trouble. Sawyer almost blocked me out of his heaven once for a practical joke ... but then I reminded him he ran away from home for days and dealt with seizures, so he can take a little joke. He thanked me for reminding him that he's a total badass. Though we had another issue when Astrid showed up.
{Mumbling in the background}
BC: All I said was that I would show her around!
{More mumbling in the background}
BC: You better not talk about my sisfur that way! 
{Mumbling}
BC: Okay! Fine! If you said that to my sisfur I'd want to beat you up, too.


EM: Aww! You love me!
BC: *** damn it!
EM: Bear!
BC: You're starting to sound like Momma! Who was ANNOYING, I might add.
EM: Then don't be an idiot and get us kicked out!
BC: Don't hate the player, hate the game.
EM: What does that even mean? 
{Pause}
EM: You don't know, do you?!
BC: What do you think it means?
EM: I'm not going to do your thinking for you!
BC: Because your one brain cell is already overwhelmed.
EM: I have a boyfriend! So even if somecat hit on me, I'm TAKEN. His name is Woodrow!
BC: I heard about him from Dexter! The Lovable Dum Dum! Like you!
EM: We have a lot in common. And we're misunderstood.
BC: Talking about Dexter, there are a lot of cats here! Brian, Tara, Truffles, Fiona, Raz, Sampy, Tucker, Harvey, Ernie, Wally .... and I met AMARULA!!!! Hubba hubba!
EM: So you can't get sent ... down?
BC: You mean to the eternal vet visit? Not that I know of.
EM: {looking around} Well, you're still here, so ... I mean, with your track record of causing trouble and lusting after torties ...


BC: Hey! I do not ***LUST*** after torties. Everything is consensual. Usually.
{Mumbling in the background}
BC: That is NOT what happened with Penny! She peed in my favorite box! Phoebe wasn't there!
EM: How many torties have blocked you here?
BC: AHEM. So you kept saving Momma?
EM: I did my best. She is a lot of work. You could've warned me!
BC: I did!
EM: Oh, yeah.
BC: You could've listened.
EM: Blah blah blah. Oh! Momma said I could tell you that she loves me more.
BC: When you were dying?
EM: What does that have to do with anything?
BC: It must've been her grief speaking.
EM: She laughed after she said it!
BC: She probably laughed because she knew it would piss me off.
EM: She also said I was the best cat ever.
BC: Well, duh. I broke too much stuff to be the best cat.
EM: OOH! Now we have FOREVER to braid each other's fur!  And now, when you say you're dead, I won't walk away because you can't be deader than dead!


BC: Oh, what fresh hell is this?!
EM: You missed me! You KNOW you did! Because I missed you.
BC: Okay. Okay. Just keep it down.
EM: I miss Momma, though. I love her. And she and I made a good team.
BC: I miss her, too. You did a good job, Smellie.
EM:{sniffing} Re ... real ... really?!?
BC: You did a wonderful job of saving Momma. Thank you.
EM: {whispering} She saved me a little, too.
BC: That's the best part, isn't it?
EM: Well, I mean, the catnip was pretty good, too ... and the treats ...
BC: We have those here.
EM: REALLY?!?!
BC: Yeah.
EM: But Momma?
BC: No.
EM: {sniffling}
BC: It's okay, Smellie.
EM: {perking up} Braid each other's fur?
BC: Umm ... only until Amarula comes back from hunting birds.
EM: OH! Do you think Amarula would let me braid her fur?
BC: I'm not sure I'd really ask ... she prefers less ... eagerness?
EM: Oh, okay. I can be cool and laid back. COOOOOOOLLLL ... and LAAAAAAAAID BAAAAAACCCK.
BC: {mumbling to himself} What could possibly go wrong?


© 2026 Momma Kat and Her Bear Cat - Written and Published by Katherine Kern. All text, pictures, images, and other content are original and copyright by Momma Kat and Her Bear Cat [K. Kern], 2015-2026. No content on Momma Kat and Her Bear Cat may be used without the owner's [K. Kern] written permission.  If you see this post posted on a site that isn't Momma Kat and Her Bear Cat, please contact cats@mommakatandherbearcat.com. 


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51 comments

  1. I know Bear and Brian will make sure Ellie Mae has a wonderful Throne and is taken care of at the Bridge. We are all so sorry to hear about your dear girl. Hugs from all of us.

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  2. So sorry to hear about Ellie Mae, will you be getting another cat?

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    Replies
    1. I do not have any plans to right now. But maybe if one chooses me?

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  3. So sad and sorry to hear about Ellie Mae. Purrs and hugs xx

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  4. That reads exactly the way I would have thought it would go there with the two of them. Lots of love to you. I know how you feel. xx

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  5. Dear Kat I am so very sorry to read about Ellie Mae
    In memory of her I am writing about her using the letters of her name.

    Elegant
    Lady
    Loved to the moon and back
    Incredible sister to Bear
    Ebony plush furs

    Momma Kat's girl
    A friend to all
    Ellie will be missed
    Warm comforting hugs
    Cecilia

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  6. We are so sorry Ellie Mae has gone OTB. She sure was a special girl and a real fighter! (hugs)

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  7. So sorry to hear of Ellie Mae crossing over the rainbow ~ it is so hard to lose our fur babies ~ lots of healing energy hugs ^_^

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  8. we r so sorry Ellie Mae had to leave yoo, but angels will eventually get called back when their werk izza done

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  9. Kat, so Bear and Elllie Mae together again … not just a match on earth but a match in heaven. I do hope they will continue to interact in their new surroundings, and you will share that with us. When I got the part where you mentioned Astrid and Sawyer, I lost it. I will never get over their loss … just three months apart. But like Bear and Ellie Mae, at least Astrid and Sampy are together. Seeing the names of so many angel furkids, including by beloved Fiona, almost broke my heart. I think of all the human blogging friends we have lost and am overwhelmed by it, and then I think of all the beautiful fur children, and I don’t think my heart could take anymore. They were all so loved and will be forever remembered. Sending you love and hugs and prayers as you grieve as well as purrs from Kitties Blue. 💓💞💝💔🐈‍⬛ p.s. Ellie Mae passed on the anniversary of the day Sawyer began his walkabout!

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    1. p.p.s. We are fairly certain that whatever Bear said about Astrid probably would not have made Sampy very happy either. MOL! She is one good looking tortie, however!

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  10. da tabbies o trout towneJune 29, 2026 at 1:13 PM

    rest well in heaven ellie mae…as you start your tenth and forever life, remember to watch over mom, dad, latte,
    your besties here still on earth…you put up a good fight; sorry the nasty cancer took its toll. tell everyone there
    me and de gurl said HI, and when you get a chance, send mom a sign that you’re kinda sorta almost not quite,
    sharing a space with bear. we are truly sorry …sending hugs and loves. mackerull and de gurl, as well as dude,
    boomer, dai$y, tuna and sauce 🐾🐾🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤

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  11. Oh gosh, tears rolled down my face with this post. First with the sweetness of those two together in heaven and second, the sadness they're no longer here on mortal earth bringing joy to you. So very sorry but what sweet precious babies you were lucky to have been owned by. I know they'll be keeping their eyes on you and planning to watch over you and Latte. Sending tender thoughts of comfort. 💔

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  12. I bet their meeting in Heaven was like that. I had prayed you would have more time. I am so sorry. XO

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  13. I never thought a memorial post could make me laugh but you pulled it off. My heart is still breaking for you though.

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  14. You lost a wonderful girl who was part of your heart. She was so special and she made sure you knew it. I like the tabbies comment, she started her 10th life. OK it's without you for now but it seems that she has her paws full for now with Bear - right?

    Marjorie and Toulouse

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  15. We're so sorry for the loss of your beloved Ellie-May, mom Kat. Fly free beautiful Soul✨
    Soft Pawkisses to comfort you🐾😽💞 What a beautiful 'heavenly effurr after' you wrote💞

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  16. I too just lost one of my gang, and she too was fighting an illness; cancer was strongly suspected by never confirmed. When they love their humans, they will battle to stay with us. But there is always a time when they must go. We will see them again. Godspeed, Ellie Mae.

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  17. We're smiling through the tears. We are so sorry for the loss of your amazing and beloved Ellie Mae. Love, purrs, and prayers to you, Momma Kat.

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  18. Aww, we're so sad and sorry about the loss of your sweet Ellie Mae! We send purrs and meows for comfort in good memories.

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  19. So incredibly sorry about your dear Ellie Mae, her paw prints 🐾 will remain on your heart always 🖤🖤🖤🖤🐈‍⬛

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  20. We are so sorry for the loss of Ellie Mae. She was such a fighter! A lot of that had to be the love you had for her and she for you. May all the good memories you have of your precious girl help you through this difficult time. Comforting purrs and hugs. ♥

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  21. Thank you for inviting us into your heart, home, and travel journeys you shared with Ellie Mae. Your bond, and her spirit was quite special and I appreciate being a part of it. She will be dearly missed...

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  22. Hairballs and HissyfitsJuly 2, 2026 at 1:23 PM

    I just finished reading your post about Ellie Mae, and I wanted to tell you how deeply it moved me. The way you imagined her reunion with Bear — the teasing, the “fresh hell,” and the two of them negotiating heaven together — felt so true to their voices and their relationship.

    When you speak to your kitties in your thoughts please let EM know that I am certain Amarula would let her braid her hair in heaven!

    Thank you again for including Amarula there; seeing her name among such beloved cats was an unexpected comfort.

    I’m so sorry you’ve had to say goodbye to Ellie Mae after everything you both fought through together. She was extraordinary, and it’s clear she changed you in ways that will stay with you.

    Holding you and Latte gently in my thoughts as you move forward

    Best,

    Zulu, Frodo and Sandra

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    1. I'm so glad mentioning Amarula meant something to you. I really hope you are right about Amarula letting Ellie Mae braid her fur because I don't know if Ellie understands restraint 😂

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  23. I'm so sorry that Ellie Mae flew off to the RB. May she find delight in the endless catnip meadows, chasing biutterflies and enjoying thew company of Bear, too.

    I made a memento for you in honor of Ellie Mae, and I posted it to your FB page.

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  24. PS: It's also on my blog, and you can snag it from there if you wish...

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  25. Reading this post was heartbreaking and inspiring at the same time. Hugs from Mummy and purrs of condolence from Us, Ms. Katherine. And to sweet Ellie-Mae we say, fly free now, in the endless sunlit fields beyond the Rainbow Bridge, side by side with Bear, safe in the Paws of the Great Cat in the Sky, free now from all pain - and continue to watch over Momma Kat until the day comes for you to meet again.

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