This morning I said goodbye to my darling Dorkus. He was 16 & a half human years old and had been not himself ever since my return from Sydney when I picked him up from the cattery. It had been a bad year for both of us - when my relationship ended, he lost his personal slave and spent a lot more time home alone. Moving is supposed to be one of the most stressful events in life, and I can imagine for a cat seeing all the boxes being packed, or seeing one part of your family turn up late one evening and take all those boxes away and then never return...well it must be difficult to comprehend.
When I came back from my Sydney trip and took him to his new home, it was as if he'd turned into an old man while I'd been away. Maybe he'd been fretting, thinking he'd been abandoned, thinking another human had deserted him.
The above photo was taken a few weeks ago, in the first few days that we were at our new place. But very quickly he stopped joining me in other rooms and spent most of his time sleeping on the bed. Then he started turning his nose up at food. I'd end up offering him a selection of five different flavours so he'd eat something. Then I started cooking him chicken breast but eventually he stopped eating that as well. But still I hoped he'd settle in and start eating again, and he seemed quite content just sleeping all the time. He walked like he'd had a few too many and got up and down the bed very slowly. But I still had hope.
But things changed again over the weekend and I knew he was no longer comfortable. He was skin and bones. He was spending long periods of time crouched in the bathroom, sometimes in the shower recess, or in the lounge room. He was staring off into space more than sleeping and I knew it was time to say goodbye.
In the car on the way to the vet, he didn't even meow and usually he would make his complaints about being in a noisy vehicle loud and clear.
I gave him a cuddle before the needle and then it was done. Very quick and very peaceful. I stayed with him for another 10 minutes to say goodbye. And then I came home with an empty cat carrier and a very heavy heart.
Goodbye Dorkus, we had a fabulous life together.
And you can read some of that fabulous life on this blog.
9 comments:
Diane, I'm so sorry you had to go through this. We said goodbye to one of ours when I was only two weeks from giving birth to our first child and I was devastated as he was only 3 years old. Perhaps both being little ginger ninjas, your Dorkus is playing with my Harry somewhere in cat heaven...
Hugs to you and remember the good times with your little man =) Also know you made the right decision.
Aww Dianne, I feel your pain. It's so hard to say goodbye to someone that has been a bit part of your life.
I was unable to say goodbye to the cat I'd had for 14 years. Sam was too old to bring over to Houston and so she found a new home with a friend of mine. She settled in well, it may have helped that the girl also bought my dining room suite so it was familiar for Sam. But Sam, like Dorkus, went downhill fast and had to be put down. I cried because I couldn't say goodbye but I know she had a happy few months after we left.
He'll always be in your heart and will be looking down on you. Don't doubt that. He's happy now xxxx
Bronwyn, that would have been hard with you being pregnant as well. And at least with Dork, I know he had a good and long life, but I nearly lost him when he was 1 and hit by a car (or maybe a garbage truck). He lost a toe and a tail out of that misadventure.
Nicki, that's a shame that you couldn't say goodbye to Sam. But at least you know she was cared for after you left.
I've never had to make that decision before. My last cat, which I had from 10-23, wandered off when he was ready to go.
Hugs Di.
What a lovely cat he was. Sending you lots of cyber hugs.
Tam x
Big hugs, Diane. Dorkus was one lucky cat having you. He's at peace now. xo
Diane, I'm sending you lots of cyber hugs. Dorkus was a cat with a major personality and he had such a full life with you. Hugs.
we have talked about Dorkus quite a bit over the last couple of years. I have come to know him through your eyes and have a heavy heart myself. I have tears in my eyes again as I write this for a second time (dang stoopid internet).
Goodbye Dorkus.
And Diane - please don't blame yourself. Dorkus had a long life and was Loved very much.
Ah, Diane, it's hard losing a fur-kid like Dorkus and it sounds like it's been a tough time for you all around.
Look after yourself and remember the good times you had with Dorkus and the character that he was. He obviously had a great life with you and was very loved and appreciated.
{{{hugs}}}
Sharon
I happened upon here, and I feel the pain of your loss. I've had three cats, two that went to Kitty Heaven years ago, and my current guy, Fatso, who's almost 13. Thought he was going to die in November when he stopped eating, fortunately he got to the vet in time to be stabilized. His DX was congestive heart failure, he's doing very well on water pills (Lasix)
I treasure every day that I have with him knowing it could be his last. He's a great cat and he loves to listen to music with me.
Greetings from the United States.
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