In case you wanted to know a bit more about Ted, the cat...

[LBTC]

I wrote this to my friend the other day, as she wanted to know more....it's clumsy, messy, poorly written, but it's what I was thinking about my recently departed eldest fur kid.

Warning: I cried when I wrote it. If you don't want to cry, you might not want to keep reading....

Ted had a great life! Not all cats live to the ripe age of 16. He actually outlived 3 feline and 1 canine companion. He lived with us in every house we've owned. He was king of the neighbourhood on 11th Ave. He used to come for walks with us and the dogs. If it was late at night, he played stealth cat and snuck through people's shrubs and such to avoid being seen! With him here, this house actually became home pretty quickly. I'm not sure that would have happened without him.

He had a few extra years because of vet care, drugs, and our special attention. I think he appreciated that. He got away with a lot in the last couple of years, just demanding whatever he wanted, and usually getting it. He had a special bond with each of our tenants in the basement suite (in our previous house), because he figured it was his territory too.

For the first few years, he would come when I called him, sit when I told him to, and often give me a kiss when I asked for one; but he would not pay any attention to or do anything for anybody else. A true mama's boy. Over time, I think he figured out he'd get more attention if he wasn't so aloof, and it worked. <smile>

Last week, he stopped eating. He'd done that many many times before in his life, so at first we were cautious but not alarmed. On day 3 of not eating, he saw the vet. The blood tests were not really conclusive, but it was obvious that he was wasting pretty quickly. There was still a chance that this was an infection or something minor, and we sure didn't want to give up on him without knowing. We tried an appetite enhancer along with an antacid and an antibiotic, but he didn't keep any of it down. The next day, he had an antiiotic shot, started on anti-nauseant shots, and we started feeding him liquid food through a syringe, gradally increasing the frequency and amount as he kept it down. That was Saturday. The vet was impressed that he had nearly 90ml on Sat. On Sunday, he drank some water, but then threw up, then we got back on the feeding program, and he had almost 50 ml before he threw up again around 11:30. Back to the vet. The vet decided to admit him to get him on IV, both fluid and nutrients. Many cats bounce back amazingly well from this treatment. The sad part is that we had to leave him there, knowing that the vet would go home soon and not be back for a few hours.

We went home, sad. I kept busy - went outside and weeded and moved some plants, and this little butterfly kept coming back to visit me. It had been a stormy, cloudy, awful day, and it had turned into quite a nice sunny day....I took some pictures of the butterfly. We did normal Sunday stuff, sort of. When the vet called back he had to tell us that Ted had already passed away when he got back to check on him! It's horrible to think that he died alone, but I keep reminding myself that that's what cats do, usually. They go hide somewhere when they know that they're going to die.

He had a good life. His death was not entirely peaceful, but could have been so much worse. I think he only had a few actual bad days. I sure hope so, anyway.

Life is and will be different now. Things like this happen and I want to spend time with it - honour the process, feel the emotions, think deeply; but life goes on.

Yesterday we had to send the final offer to purchase the house from John's sister. I've been asked to teach an Excel course to a private company. I've got pictures to print and sell. There are flowers to plant, pictures to take. There are two dogs who need walks and attention and love. I still have laundry to do, my taxes to do (!), too much work at my job for one person. I discovered a place in town that will make spelt pizza and they have neat flavours like wild mushroom with pesto and roasted garlic. I am so going to order a pizza on Friday night! And DH just got a raise.

So there are things to celebrate, things to ponder, things to work at, things to marvel at, just like any other day. Only now Ted isn't beside me through it all, he's just in my heart.

I think he sent the butterfly.

(just like so many of you did)

Thank you for all of your support and kindness and butterflies. Hugs to all of you,
~T~

[lizbids]

Yesterday was one of our cat's birthday..she's 12. I dread the thought of her being gone

[bouncybouncy]

How nice to have spent so long with a little friend! I wish you well...and thank you for sharing your story!

[Pax]

Sounds like Ted lucked out in the mom category finding you. Thanks for sharing a bit of his life with us.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Reading it did make me cry.
But Ted was so lucky to have such a long happy life and to be so loved.

[Popoki_Nui]

{{{{{LBTC}}}}} Thanks so much for sharing a little of Ted with us. My heart goes out to you.

~Sherry and the cats.

=^..^=

[Ninabike]

LTBC, That was very well written and very beautiful.

Thank you,
From Nina and our two little rescued sisters.

[missymaya]

Ted was very lucky to have a great mom like you. It sounds like he had a great long and loving life and that you two enjoyed it together. I'm sorry for your loss and I'm sending healing energy your way. He was a lucky feline friend to have a you and your family for his family.