She started out as a temp cat. A friend of friend was moving and needed to temporarily house her while she found something permanent. I had been thinking about getting a cat, so it seemed a good opportunity for a two-week trial run. We had a good time until she escaped.
But after the two weeks her owner did not pick her up. There were complications with the new job, so the cat stayed with me for a year and a half. I came to love her, and we got along well. Then one day the owner turned up again and asked for her back. I was sad, but negotiated visitation rights. So I was cat-less for a year.
Then the economy tanked. The girl lost her job and was forced to move back in with her parents across the country. She had no way to bring the cat and none of her neighbors would take her. Frantic at the thought of bringing her to a shelter where she’d be put down, she begged me to take her back again. I agreed, this time with the stipulation that it was permanent.
So kitty began her second tour of duty with me, now as a full-timer. This lasted several years, always just the two of us. Once I went on vacation for ten days, leaving her at home with a friend stopping in to feed her. Kitty didn’t like many people, and hid from my friend. When I came home, she popped her head out of the bedroom and looked at me with astonishment. “Oh my god, I thought you were never coming back!!!” she seemed to say, as she jumped into my arms.
Last year I got a new girlfriend and a new job, so kitty and I packed up and moved. She was skittish at first, but soon embraced the idea of having a family. And stairs to run up and down! That was a novelty for her since I’d always lived in an apartment. She was also the first cat for my young stepson, and he adored her.
Two days ago my girlfriend called me at work to say kitty suddenly couldn’t use her hind legs and appeared to be in pain. She took her to the vet and the diagnosis was a blood clot accompanied by heart trouble. Not a lot could be done, so it was time. I asked the vet if there was any way to take care of her later that night, after hours, so I could be there. She kindly agreed, and I went through a miserable day at work with all kinds of delays and hassles. I didn’t know until the last moment if I would make it, but thankfully I finally arrived at the vet’s mid-snowstorm.
Kitty was wrapped in a towel to keep her bottom half from getting cold (little to no circulation). She was medicated and not in pain unless moved. She complained when the vet took her into a room, but quieted immediately. She was alert and recognized me, and even flicked her tail while I petted and talked to her. Unfortunately, it was difficult getting the shots into her. The vet had to move quickly when she seemed to get scared, but the deed was done. I petted her as she went and told her what a good girl she was, and how much we all loved her.
She was only about 11, and so pretty. Here she is just a few weeks ago.
