2 Attachment(s)
My kitty has moved on to her next life....
My cat was acting a bit down the past couple of weeks and late one week I noticed she wasn't interested in eating. I made an appt. for the vet last Saturday but they could not get her in right away so I took her Monday night. by Monday, I don't think she had eaten in three days.
After the physical exam, they told me she probably had stomach cancer. It was my first time to this vet and he was very kind but I was not ready. I promptly burst into tears. This was the first time I have been told news like that concerning an animal, and I was by myself. I should have known this might have been coming and taken someone with me but I totally did not understand the signs of a terminal illness. I stupidly thought perhaps she had some form of light anemia but I did not know why.
They did scans, sonograms, blood tests etc. and nothing was conclusive. They put the blood work on the overnight rush. I was to come back or call back the next morning at 8 a.m. to find out more and decide on options. The vet told me to try to get her to eat anything, even people food.
It was a horrible night. I got her to eat two pieces of human tuna fish which she later tried to throw up. She took water but only if I brought it to her. She crawled on the floor about 1 a.m. and around 4:30 a.m. started a terrible howl that I knew was the end. I stayed with her the whole time and she passed around 6:30 a.m. I have never had to do this and again, I was alone. It hurt me so badly. It was one of those times in life you know you have to buck up and be adult but you would rather do anything but.
I had to go to work by 9 a.m. for a mandatory meeting so I had to let her go really fast. That hurt me too. I didn't want to release her body. I didn't want to bury it. I decided to get her cremated but I had to take her right away because of work. I cried so much at the vet when I dropped her off, I wasn't even sure I could handle the 9 a.m. meeting but everyone at work was kind and helped me take it easy.
She was the best cat. I had her from 6 weeks old (humane society) to 14 years old. She was my only cat. I took in other cats when I was married but they stayed with my husband when I left. I nursed her through a broken leg, parasitic infection, two bowel obstructions, and many more minor things. She was always my best friend and always tolerated all of my crazy lifestyles. We moved homes or apartments probably four or five times together. She was a big cat, 18 lbs in her youth and 14 in her old age. She was even 11 lbs in the end, sick. She had long, soft fur that I will miss so much. I don't think there has ever been a cat with fur as soft as hers.
I get her ashes back this Thursday. I'm going to search for some baby cat pictures of her today to make a frame up to put beside the memorial box.
I'm thinking about getting another cat. When I was young, I had another calico. Calico's especially torties, are close to my heart. I'm going to wait a bit to make sure I am ready. I miss her so much.
