Good Bye

1993-2010

Kitty Man's health had been declining over the past few weeks, and after our first trip to the vet, I found out he had pretty severe liver and kidney problems.  With a little help from the vet, he got over that hurdle only to be hit the next week with respiratory congestion and difficulty breathing.  Once again, the vet offered to keep him at the clinic and take care of him while we were out of town for Memorial Day.  I picked him up and he was feeling much better.  He came home, and was having a great week.  I made sure to give him extra TLC everyday, and took him outside so he could wander around (He was born a farm cat, and never forgot his days of scampering around as a farm kitten.  He would always try to sneak out the door no matter where we lived.  He loved being outside.)

He was eating well, drinking well, and there was LOTS of purring and petting.  Suddenly, he took another turn for the worse yesterday, Tuesday, June 8, and this time the vet and I both agreed that he wouldn't be able to recover.  He was a fighter and he hung in there for a long time.

The hardest thing to deal with now are the memories that seem to be everywhere. Even amidst the hustle and bustle of three children, and the presence of our dog, Mia, the house still seems empty.  I imagine him laying in his favorite spot on the couch downstairs, or on my pillow.  I expect him to come over and lay on me for his nightly petting when I go to bed, and greet me at the sink in the morning.  I think I see him out of the corner of my eye.  When you have had a companion for 17 years, there is definitely something missing, an emptiness.  I really miss that little guy.  He will always have a special place in my heart. 

He will be forever loved.

(This is a picture Grant drew for me after the first time we went to the vet.)