Whenever you take on a pet, you do so with the knowledge that no matter how much you love them, you are almost certainly going to outlive them. It's just part of the deal; you get to clean up their poop and feed them and come home to the wreckage they have created and they in turn sleep on top of you and purr and absolutely own your heart. And you get to deal with the grief of letting them go.
So that brings us to Octavia, the world's absolute most sweetest cat ever. Just a little more than 2 weeks ago, she developed a urinary tract infection, which is not uncommon in old ladies of any species. Even after I got that settled down, she never really recovered, and stopped eating. A trip to the emergency vet revealed she had a mass on her pancreas and a couple more in her liver. I am strongly opposed to putting an animal through the misery of chemotherapy; as one vet who agreed with me put it, "they didn't sign up for that" and so I have just been trying to keep her comfortable.
Last week I came face-to-face with the realization that it was time to quit putting off the inevitable. In only a couple of weeks she has lost probably half of her body weight, her back legs no longer work, and she can barely drink. So I have scheduled a vet to come here this afternoon and put her to sleep.
I went through this with Saki a few years ago and I know it is genuinely painless and the right thing, but oh man, it is so difficult. When I adopted Octavia a year and a half ago, I did so knowing she was a pretty old cat and that our time together would probably be short, but I had really hoped it might be longer than this. Nevertheless, I'm glad I did it. She has been loving and sweet, and I'm glad she didn't have to live out the end in a cage at Cat Jail.
I know naked guys don't really fit with this post necessarily, but they always make me feel better, at least a little, so I will include them here:
RIP, Octavia. Jx
ReplyDeletePS Yes, cock and ass makes things better...
They always do, don't they?
DeleteI know what it's like to lose a pet. Peenee, you have my sincere condolences.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, too
Thanks sweetie. I want to apologize for not answering everybody's comments over the last few weeks. I was distracted by a sick cat.
DeleteI'm so sorry to hear of Octavia's passing, Peenee. She was lucky to have you in her life, as you were lucky to have her in yours. Blessings on you for giving her a dignified end. RIP Octavia.
ReplyDeleteThat's very kind of you to say, thanks.
DeleteI'm so sorry to read this Peenee. I'm right there with you as I too am heartbroken as I just lost my Buster Borghese. Shall we go drowned our sads in a few drinks and go-go boys?!?!
ReplyDeleteIt never gets easier does it.
Bring on the go-go boys and tell them to be extra sympathetic.
DeleteCondolences sweetie.me and all our cb friends sending u big hugs.kisses
ReplyDeleteThank you sweetie
DeleteThe exact same thing happened to my last cat. You are doing the right thing, Mr Peenee. RIP, Octavia.
ReplyDeleteSxxx
If only the right thing was easier.
DeleteI'm very sorry. I went through this a few years ago... I'm someone more bonded with most pets than people. RIP Octavia.
ReplyDeletePets may exasperate you, but people can be absolutely unbearable.
DeleteSo sorry to hear. Toby will be there for you.
ReplyDeleteI don't like to ascribe human emotions to animals, but yesterday toby was very restless and kept sniffing around. Fortunately, he's calmed down today.
DeleteI just finished reading Maddie's post about Buster, and wiped away those tears, and now I'm crying again.
ReplyDeleteLosing pets is the hardest thing; that unconditional love.
RIP MIss Ocatvia
You were loved.
Thank you, she certainly was.
DeleteOh, peenee, what sad news. We always wish they could hang on a little longer, but it's just not meant to be. I just hope cat heaven is as tasteful as your apartment with lots of expensive rugs Octavia can throw up on.
ReplyDeletexx
Hah! The rugs are already scheduled to get washed next week.
DeleteThank you for your service, I mourn Octavia with you.. big hugs
ReplyDeleteThe comfort from you guys here in the comments is genuinely helpful.
DeleteJust had a talk with a woman who lost one cat 4 months ago & her second last Sunday. I know I teared up the moment I heard her words. What can I say to make you feel better? Bupkis. I've lost way too many corgis & there's nothing you can do about that pain, but it speaks to the love. That you knowingly took a senior citizen in is beyond commendable, bravo!
ReplyDeleteThanks sweetie. I think it helps hearing that other people know what it's like to go through this
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