# Friends, please join me in celebrating the life of my cat, Fiona **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 19, 2022, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friends-please-join-me-in-celebrating-the-life-of-my-cat-fiona/958039 "2022-01-19T07:29:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2022, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friends-please-join-me-in-celebrating-the-life-of-my-cat-fiona/958039/1 "2022-01-19T07:29:47Z")
Fiona passed today. She was 19 years old. It was humane euthanasia, and I was with her the whole time. We (my ex-wife and I) adopted Fiona–or as she was known then, “Number 54,” from the Calgary Humane Society (CHS), in January 2004. The CHS estimated that she was about a year old, making her born in January, 2003. She and her kittens had been found in a cardboard box by the side of the road near Drumheller, Alberta. Number 54 and her kittens were abandoned in early January, when Alberta had a cold snap (and I mean _cold_, as in -25C or -13F). Number 54 protected her kittens, but at the cost of her right ear, which was lost to frostbite. Thankfully, a Good Samaritan found the little family and brought them into the CHS, where they were cared for. The kittens grew and thrived, and were easily adopted out. Not so for Number 54–nobody wanted an adult cat who was missing an ear. She was scheduled for euthanasia, as she was just taking up space. Then my wife and I showed up. We wanted another cat, and there were many fine ones. But while we looked at many, we just didn’t click (cat people will know what I mean). Until we got to Number 54. She jumped into my arms, purred like crazy, nuzzled my face, and let me know that I was her forever home. And I was–it bothered my (now ex) wife a bit, but there was no doubt that Number 54 was mine. She came home with us, and was named “Fiona.” Her first night at our place, she snuggled up to me in bed, earning her the nickname, “Fiona Bear,” like a “Teddy Bear.” In future years, we would play Stairball, a game she invented, and she always loved to wear her harness and leash, so she could explore the backyard with me. Heck, I might just be cutting the grass or doing gardening, and I’d hear her piteous meows at the screen door; she wanted to explore the yard with me. She loved napping in front of my gas fireplace on a cold winter’s night, and even in the heat of summer, would worm her way onto my lap, purring all the while, for a nap. Sadly, she could no longer hold herself up. She collapsed on her side on Monday on the kitchen floor, and on Tuesday, was in the same place, trying to run, but she wasn’t on her feet. She had peed herself, and was wallowing in it, being unable to get away from it; and meowed piteously, and I knew it was time to take her to the vet one last time. Friends, please join me in celebrating the life of one of the most extraordinary cats I’ve ever known. One whose life was measured in days until we adopted her, and who lived an amazing 18 years after that. And one whom I will never forget. I said to her when the vet administered the fatal shot, “We will meet again, my dear Fiona Bear, in due time.” And she gave me one last purr. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2022, 9:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friends-please-join-me-in-celebrating-the-life-of-my-cat-fiona/958039/2 "2022-01-19T09:58:06Z")
Grieve well, my friend. I mourn your loss. She sounded like a special being. Thank you for sharing her with me/us. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2022, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friends-please-join-me-in-celebrating-the-life-of-my-cat-fiona/958039/3 "2022-01-19T10:04:10Z")
I’m glad you guys had each other, Spoons. Be gentle with yourself. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2022, 10:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friends-please-join-me-in-celebrating-the-life-of-my-cat-fiona/958039/4 "2022-01-19T10:19:15Z")
A life well-lived, Fiona. Marvellous name BTW, how on earth did you come up with it? ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2022, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friends-please-join-me-in-celebrating-the-life-of-my-cat-fiona/958039/5 "2022-01-19T12:04:46Z")
RIP Fiona; you done good. You done good too, **Spoons**. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2022, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friends-please-join-me-in-celebrating-the-life-of-my-cat-fiona/958039/6 "2022-01-19T12:08:49Z")
[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/vjw_HnDlPmA/maxresdefault.jpg "WITHOUT WORDS (a song about pet loss) by the Spectra 2014 Singers") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjw_HnDlPmA) ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2022, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friends-please-join-me-in-celebrating-the-life-of-my-cat-fiona/958039/7 "2022-01-19T12:14:16Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > Sadly, she could no longer hold herself up. She collapsed on her side on Monday on the kitchen floor, and on Tuesday, was in the same place, trying to run, but she wasn’t on her feet. She had peed herself, and was wallowing in it, being unable to get away from it; and meowed piteously, and I knew it was time to take her to the vet one last time. When this happened to our girl blacky the vet said don’t bring her in and to just hold my hand over her nose for about a minute until the seizure stopped … she was 22 at the time … ---
**Author:** ![Paintcharge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paintcharge/32/7946_2.png) [@Paintcharge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paintcharge)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2022, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friends-please-join-me-in-celebrating-the-life-of-my-cat-fiona/958039/8 "2022-01-19T13:20:29Z")
She sounds like an excellent cat friend. So sorry for your loss. I just went through the same with my sweet dog last week, so I know how you are feeling. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2022, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friends-please-join-me-in-celebrating-the-life-of-my-cat-fiona/958039/9 "2022-01-19T13:43:30Z")
Congratulations on a wonderful life together. How lucky you were to find each other. StG ---
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2022, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friends-please-join-me-in-celebrating-the-life-of-my-cat-fiona/958039/10 "2022-01-19T14:50:32Z")
What a great story, you gave her an amazing life. She was meant for you. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2022, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friends-please-join-me-in-celebrating-the-life-of-my-cat-fiona/958039/11 "2022-01-19T15:38:18Z")
Good job, @Spoons. May another good cat find you soon. ---
**Author:** ![eschrodinger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschrodinger/32/122_2.png) [@eschrodinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschrodinger)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2022, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friends-please-join-me-in-celebrating-the-life-of-my-cat-fiona/958039/12 "2022-01-19T15:45:36Z")
She sounds very special. If you felt like posting a picture, I’d love to see Fiona Bear. But if not, no worries. Take care. ---
**Author:** ![saje](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saje/32/3631_2.png) [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2022, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friends-please-join-me-in-celebrating-the-life-of-my-cat-fiona/958039/13 "2022-01-19T16:00:26Z")
It is an honor to be loved by a cat. I’m glad she chose you. I know that hole in life when a special one goes … I’m so sorry. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2022, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friends-please-join-me-in-celebrating-the-life-of-my-cat-fiona/958039/14 "2022-01-19T16:25:06Z")
😻😇Fiona is up there frolicking with many others ---
**Author:** ![BeepKillBeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2022, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friends-please-join-me-in-celebrating-the-life-of-my-cat-fiona/958039/15 "2022-01-19T17:20:46Z")
I’m sorry for the loss of your furry companion. Fiona awaits you at Rainbow Bridge. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2022, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friends-please-join-me-in-celebrating-the-life-of-my-cat-fiona/958039/16 "2022-01-19T17:56:19Z")
I’m glad for both of you that you had those 18 years. I’m sorry that they’ve ended. That was a beautiful celebration piece. ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2022, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friends-please-join-me-in-celebrating-the-life-of-my-cat-fiona/958039/17 "2022-01-19T17:58:59Z")
What a beautiful tale. Thank you for sharing. Condolences on your Fiona Bear. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2022, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friends-please-join-me-in-celebrating-the-life-of-my-cat-fiona/958039/18 "2022-01-19T19:51:34Z")
RIP, beloved Fiona Bear. She was so lucky to have you, right up to the end. ---
**Author:** ![gkster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gkster/32/14107_2.png) [@gkster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gkster)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2022, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friends-please-join-me-in-celebrating-the-life-of-my-cat-fiona/958039/19 "2022-01-19T22:19:28Z")
Farewell to dear Fiona, celebrating a life well lived. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2022, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friends-please-join-me-in-celebrating-the-life-of-my-cat-fiona/958039/20 "2022-01-19T22:22:07Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > Then my wife and I showed up. We wanted another cat, and there were many fine ones. But while we looked at many, we just didn’t click (cat people will know what I mean). Yep, we know what you mean and our condolences, but 19 is a good long loved for life. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friends-please-join-me-in-celebrating-the-life-of-my-cat-fiona/958039.md?page=2)