(no subject)

[pensnest]

Firstly, thank you, everyone who replied to my last post.



When we came back from Australia, it soon became clear something was wrong. She didn't go downstairs for food—most uncharacteristic—and moved 'old'. She'd had a kind of arthritic appearance for quite a while, but it hadn't seemed to bother her much. This reluctance to move at all was definitely new. We moved her food and litter tray upstairs, and tried to lure her downstairs anyway for the habitual lunchtime cuddles.

Vet appointment was scheduled, and Monday's tests came back showing mostly healthy but some blood problems indicating possible internal bleeding. Tuesday she seemed marginally better, and came downstairs on her own. She lay on my lap like a melted cat for three hours that evening, being brushed and petted. Wednesday, back to the vet for X-ray and abdominal scan. Which found a healthy skeleton (no joint problems, so my arthritis assumption had been way off) and several masses in her abdomen and around her heart. We had to conclude that the big behavioural change showing that she was in pain had definitely happened, and we couldn't make her do it any longer. So. She was nearly 19, and I think she'd had a good life.

There are little cat-ghosts all over the house at the moment.


In an evil attempt to gain revenge on the universe*, let me introduce you to 2048, a fiendish game lately recommended on Shakesville. If you find numbers dull, try instead DOGE2048, which has the additional merit** of being blinkingly hideous.


* no particular reason, but the universe probably deserves it

** for revenge-against-the-universe purposes, at least

Comments

[without_me]

I'm sorry, I missed your earlier post about Socks. I'm so sorry for your loss, but it sounds as if you gave her a very good life.

[pensnest]

Thank you. Yes, I think she was a happy little cat, although somewhat given to complaining. Mostly when her dish was empty, which doesn't really count.

[sperrywink]

Oh, no. I'm so sorry for your loss.

[pensnest]

Thank you. It's very strange to have a house without a cat in it.

[sperrywink]

It is. I still dream that the cat comes and sits on me while I am sleeping. It's been about 8 months and I am still not used to it.

[ephemera]

Sometimes it's so hard to make that decision, but sometimes it's clearly Time, and either way it's a loss. She was a good, and I think a happy, cat, with well trained and loving humans.

[pensnest]

Yes. It was clearly Time. I think Socks managed to get pretty much everything she wanted, including Beast's lap, and she even grew moderately sociable, so I think she was happy.

[untonuggan]

♥ I'm so sorry for your loss.

[laughingrat]

I am so sorry. It's cruel the way illness sneaks up on poor little animals. I'm glad you got some time with her after your trip.

[turps]

I'm glad that Socks remained loved to the very end. I'm sure she knew that, too.

[solariana.livejournal.com]

Shadow was definitely off in her final days. It was a comfort that she still knew who I was and responded to my voice, but it got harder and harder for her to get up on her feet and walk anywhere. The vet checkup revealed she had sacs of fluid building up around her heart. I know what you mean about the cat ghosts. For days after she passed, I thought I saw Shadow walking through doorways with her tail held high.

At least we can be comforted that we have provided them with a fine life and they brightened our lives while they were with us.

*hugs*

[pensnest]

Exactly so. A happy cat is a worthwhile achievement, and I'm glad I had the chance to sit with her and pet her on what turned out to be her last evening.

[trumpeterofdoom.livejournal.com]

FYI, there is a Doctor Who version of 2048.
http://games.usvsth3m.com/2048-doctor-who-edition/

[pensnest]

That is so very wrong! Also, really difficult...

[zebraljb.livejournal.com]

I had my cat Harley for 12 years, and had to put him down in October. He was my first pet ever. He had cancer in his jaw. I feel your pain.

Sending xxoo from across the big pond.

[pensnest]

It's a very painful wrench, particularly when they have been part of the family for so long. We were lucky she was a sturdy little cat and lived so long.