What a few days! We thought that Buttercup had rallied after her treatment at the Vet, but as soon as the shot and hydration they gave her wore off, she started to go downhill very quickly. I looked at a picture of her on Saturday and she looked like her normal cat self. But by Monday, she was barely able to drag herself around the house.
It seemed like this change was a mystery to her and she tried to do her normal things. It took great effort, but, she got herself to her usual spots. She sat in the window, and cuddled next to my husband in her usual spot in his chair. But it was like her body was too big for her spirit to move. She has never been able to meow, but she managed some purrs.
She was lighter than air and while she hung near her water bowl and I tried every variation of presenting her water, she couldn't drink.
All I know about her history is that she was rescued from a cat hoarder who had fifty cats. Her long hair was white and butterscotch color. By the time she moved in with us, she was about six. She has always been most attached to my son and husband so the downfall of her health was hardest on them.
By now in my life, I have said goodbye to something around 14 pets, along with close family and friends. It's not that it gets easier, but I have learned how to deal. It has always been my M.O. to take care of others, so all my efforts went to help them handle the situation. I had to be the one to tell my son that it was time to let Buttercup go and make peace with the decision.
In the end, we let her go in the most humane way so that she didn't have to suffer. Vets now have a whole protocol that considers the animal and the owner.
It only got harder when my son had to tell Jakey. Buttercup has been around his whole life. He immediately got concerned about Kitten, who despite her name is around 10 and has also been around Jakey for his whole life too. The truth is that Kitten is a sturdier cat than Buttercup ever was. She was always all hair and a fragile body. The photo is from better days.
But it's all part of life.
9 comments:
So sorry to hear about Buttercup and I'm sure it was especially difficult for Jakey. My son had a cat and a dog when Henry was born and they both died when he was about 10 -- they'd been his pets his entire life and it was hard.
I watch "Wheel of Fortune" most every day -- one of the contestants said her 93-year-old grandmother watched the show and crocheted every day -- she wanted her granddaughter to say hello to Vanna for her. Did you ever meet Vanna during your celebrity-greeting days? You two would have had a lot in common.
I put the last stitches in an afghan I'm making as a Christmas gift -- still have a couple placemats to make and my holiday crocheting will be over. Blankets from now on!!
Oh my, I just got a text that a cousin in Lincoln has passed away -- she was 94 and always such a peppy person but a fall, a broken bone in her back and arthritis have made her life miserable the last few years. She'll be missed but she was ready to go.
Enjoy the rest of the day and the coming weekend. Hope the rewriting of the manuscript is coming along well.
Patty,
Yes, it is hard on Jakey. It was sweet that he felt bad for Kitten being left the only cat and said we need to get her a partner.
My husband was an executive at the production company that brought Wheel o Fortune and Jeopardy back and took Oprah national. I went to a lot of parties and met a lot of celebrities. I went to Pat Sajak's wedding. I didn't met Vanna, but she did give me a quote for one of my books.
It's great that you are so far along with your Christmas crochet. The holidays will be here soon.
I'm sorry about your cousin and I'm sure you are right about her being ready to go. It's sad that her last years were so uncomfortable.
I am at the big moment in the manuscript when all is revealed and then the wrap up.
My cats {Calico sisters} are now 12. My husband insisted we get them when he knew he was dying of cancer. We were down to one grandchild living with us, and she was about to get married. He didn't want to leave me alone. I worry about them alot, they seem healthy, but are cutting down on eating I do have a cute story about a grandson who was 3 when our last dog died. He helped my hudband with the burial in our backyard. A few days later he came running to me, so happy , and yelled Grandpa is going to bring Scooter back ! I tried to gently tell him that when people or pets die, they can't come back.Oh yes , he insisted. Right now grandpa has pictures of houses in Heaven, and he is going to all the doors looking !! It seems my husband was looking up some pictures of old Bible towns to show kids at church, so JJ was sure Scooter was there somewhere with a new family ! I have had so many woonderful pets in my life, and I like to brlieve I will see them again some day.
Linda Osborn, I can see how your cats have special meaning to you. I can understand your worry. The story about your grandson is sweet and hopefully gave him comfort. I'm with you about expecting to meet up with my pet family when I join them.
Oh, Betty, I'm so sorry. I know how hard it is to lose a beloved pet. Glad you at least have another cat you can continue to hug now.
I'm so sorry. Even though you've been through it before it is always hard. These little souls become part of your family. I'm glad you still have another cat. I bet they will be a bit lonely too.
I am so sorry to hear about your cat. Losing beloved pets is always hard. My friend has been catless for two years and she just adopted two kittens. They are brother and sister. She named them Lord and Lady. They just turned five months old. They are adorable and so much fun.
Sally, it is always hard. It is lucky for Kitten that someone is always home.
Miriam, your friend's kittens sound adorable. Fate has brought most of our pets to us, so we'll see what happens.
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