On Friday, January 8th at about 5:10 pm, Cornelius took his leave. He was very sick and not having any fun, so I chose to think about him rather than keep him with me, I wanted to more than you know.
Who knew that cats and dogs could get human diseases? He had epilepsy and diabetes. They didn't leave him alone and the cure was more than I had. So watching him go from a big old' boy to 7 lbs. was more than I could bear.
It was scheduled for Tuesday at 5pm, but I found a clinic that was 1/3 the cost so I had a reprieve of a little over 3 days from one appointment to the last one, so I got to spend some quiet time with him. On Friday, the clinic had a nice room where we were alone for about 30 minutes.
We snuggled on the couch and then he was sedated. He was my little stoned buddy for about 15 minutes. When she came in for the end, I made sure from her that he could not see me or hear me leave, then said "I love you buddy" and chose to leave him in her care for the final shot. They were lovely ladies and I get him back today. I have a pretty tin with spring flowers on it all ready, and I am going to keep some of him in a small little bottle.
I know he wasn't a person so there is no comparison. But, I have not yet cried. The dam will no doubt break at some point, but I keep stoic so I can take care of business and reflect on why he had to leave so soon. I donated all his things to the folks in my park. I made this frame and am posting some of his last photos. Some are sad as he was very weak and ready to go.
He gave me 5 years of the best CatPanionship there was. He was always ready to curl up for a great photo op, got in my way when I needed to work, head booped me to mark me as his own, and was the best snuggle buddy at night. No matter how bad a day was, it ended with his chin on my hand.
But, soon he will move into that wonderful place where Cujo and Buddy, Quill and Kizzy, Salsha and Judy, Sabastian and Boo Boo, and all the critters I have loved and shared and said goodbye to reside. He will have great company.
But, for now he will also be my last. Many believe I should never let the loss outweigh the love. And they are probably right.
I just know that I will keep that funny face as a reminder that I could never find another like him so I am not going to try.
Sandi/PBP
Gatto is a four year old American Shorthair (Tabby) aka regular cat. He was adopted from a local shelter November 2009.
He is our landlady's cat brought to her by her daughter when she was in high school. To convince her mom to adopt Tom Tom, she made up a crazy story that this sweet cat was found in a box by the side of the road, next to his two dead siblings.
Bones is 1 and a half years old. Bones is a Bullseye Tabby. I found her outside last January, starving. We got her fixed and she does not try to get outside, we even hold open the door and she refuses to go outside.
He was fostered at (WFA) World For All. I got him on 7 January, 2011, when he was 2 months old.
Bela was adopted in 2012. We heard about him through CityKitties (nonprofit cat rescue).
Missy is 5 years old. She came from a litter of 4 and decided to keep her. She's quite funny, when I'm on the sofa covered by a blanket she loves to scratch the blanket off of me until I pet her.
