In Memory of a Trusting Boy Cat
Posted on | December 11, 2008 | 5 Comments
Just before Thanksgiving, my 7-year-old black cat, Lucky, was tentatively diagnosed with cancerous masses in his abdomen and chest. He stopped eating anything but “tuna juice” and progressively got weaker. Yesterday, I decided the most compassionate course of action was euthanasia.
I remember when I first got Lucky, and Mia (the Siamese above who is now 15) bullied him into hiding under the bed for the first month. He would only come out in the middle of the night and scope around the bed. A couple of nights he startled me awake by sticking his cold, wet nose in my ear or up my nose! Then he got big enough to start exploring during the day.
I remember how he would look at me with large round eyes and roll over to show his belly when he wanted my attention.
I remember how he would flop down in front of Mia, who after 7 years still barely tolerated his presence, and nudge his head under hers so she would groom him.
I remember how he was so scared of the sound of plastic bags that you couldn’t change the garbage while he was eating without him running away.
I remember how he would run upstairs when people came over, but would come back down and poke around everyone’s feet when we were in circle, quietly meditating in the darkened room.
I’m going to miss him.
This morning when my husband opened the bedroom door, our newest kitten, Hermes, bounded into the room and onto the bed, ran up the middle of my body, and stuck his nose right onto mine. It was like sunshine greeting me in the dark. And went a long way toward making today bareable.
Comments
5 Responses to “In Memory of a Trusting Boy Cat”
Leave a Reply
Autumn Practices
Categories
Follow Me!
December 11th, 2008 @ 7:52 pm
I’m so sorry to hear about your little boy. I’m sure Lucky will be around for you until his time comes to move on.
Hermes sounds wonderful. While he can’t replace Lucky, he can certainly bring some joy to a time of grief.
December 14th, 2008 @ 10:49 am
I’m so sorry for your loss. I’ve been there and I know how hard it is.
What a beautiful boy Lucky was. You were lucky to have him in your life and he was clearly lucky to have you.
All good things,
Sia
December 18th, 2008 @ 4:48 am
I’ve just found your blog through “Beyond the Field We Know”. You have such a beautiful blog and beautiful things to say. I’m crying right now as i read of your beloved Lucky. Over the years I’ve loved and lost many furbabies, and although I’ve come to recognize the death process long before the end, it doesn’t get any easier. Hang in there. You will always miss him. But a time will come when the good memories will outweigh the pain of his loss. Just know that you will see your Lucky again.
December 18th, 2008 @ 7:22 am
Livia, thank you for your kind words and welcome to Nine Ravens.
December 31st, 2008 @ 11:33 am
I just came across your blog through another one and was compelled to say something on this. My 13-year old cat, Ajah, was also diagnosed with a mass in his abdomen around the same time and, like your baby, has been getting progressively weaker since (he will only eat beef gravy, now). It breaks my heart to watch him fade away on me and know that one day soon will come our finally parting, but reading this helps me to know that there is someone else who understands exactly what I’m going through. Thank you so much for sharing this.