A little over 18 years ago I had to run an errand for work. I went to the mall to pick up books and next to the book store was a pet shop. I often stopped the look at the animals, but never buy one. I’d had lots of cats and dogs over the years but had never boughten one. They had all been given to me by friends or strays that I adopted.
On this particular occasion I had no idea of even adding another pet as I already had a dog at home. But as I walked by a cage full of kittens a little paw reached out and snagged my blouse. I looked down to see the paw attached to the littlest scrawniest kitten in the bunch. His fur was bright yellow and when I started to detach him it vibrated with his purr. He crawled into my hand and settled down. When I lifted him he crawled up under my neck and licked my face.
I snuck a peak at his price tag $17.00 dollars. I only had five on me and we certainly couldn’t afford to waste what little money we had on a cat. I stroked his fur and put him back down and started to walk away. He clung to the bars of the cage and meowed mournfully. I tried to walk away several times but always ended up going back to comfort him. Finally I asked the clerk if I could put the five dollars down and come back for him the next day.
When I got home and told my husband what I’d done he thought I was crazy, but he agreed to take me back the next day to pick him up. From the very beginning he was my baby, oh he liked my husband fine and adored our daughter and the dog, but he was my baby. I named him Thomas because he was a tomcat and I’m not very creative. He grew fast and was later often referred to as fat cat. The last eighteen years he’s been a joy to be around. That always keeps me laughing.
18 years is a long time for a cat and his body was failing him. I could see that his age was catching up to him. He’d lost a lot of weight and had trouble getting around. No more jumping on the bed to wake up dad, I had to lift him up. He had trouble getting comfortable when finding a place to lay down.
Last weekend he stopped eating and on Monday when I took him to the vet she put him on IVs for two days and send him home thinking he would eat now. He didn’t. This morning I took him back to the vet and she found his kidneys were failing and so was his heart. I didn’t want him to be in pain so I held him close told him the story of how he entered my life, how much he had given to me, and that I loved him and had to say goodbye.
When my daughter died Thomas’ fur soaked up my tears, and when the dog and the other cat we adopted died I still had him to cling on to. Today there is no one.
Someday I will come home at the end of the day and not look for him to come running. Someday I will be able to watch TV without a cat on my lap or shoulder. Someday I won’t listen for his rumbling purr or reach to stroke his soft fur. Someday the pain will lessen and I will remember him with a smile at all the silly little things he would do. But not today. Today I will sit in a quiet and lonely house, cry and mourn the loss of my best friend.
My sympathies Tinkertoy. My wife and I don’t remember what our lives were like before the cats, and can’t imagine a life without them. It sounds like you have a lot of love to give, and though there will never be another Thomas, there are other cats who will benefit from your affection and companionship (and I’m sure the feelings would be mutual).
I’m in tears here. My Gawd. I’m so very sorry. I send you my deepest condolences. You will miss him for a long time, but remember that he KNEW he was loved. He loved you, too.
Oh wow, this is exactly what I went through last year. Just know that it’s ok if “someday” doesn’t come any time soon.
My best friend died on August 4th – I can’t believe it’s been almost a year already. My girl was 18 years old, like your Thomas: I had her for more than half of my life, and after college it was just her and me in every place I’ve lived. I still miss her terribly at times, though the crying every night stopped after a few months. Can’t look at her picture for too long, though, even now. It’ll be very, very weird when I leave this house next year and move into a new rental, because it will be the first place without any Smokey memories.
You know, it’s just not fair that cats and dogs don’t live to be 90 years old.
You gave Thomas a loving home for 18 years. He’ll be frolicking and gamboling and waiting for you to cross Rainbow Bridge. Until then, try to remember him with smiles, not tears. I think he’d like that.
One of the highest accomplishments in life is to take care of another life. An innocent life. A dependent.
I can’t explain why our pets bring us such great joy. But it is there, isn’t it.
Some things don’t need to be, and shouldn’t be explained, or examined.
Unconditional love is just that.
We lost our Alpine 3 years ago. She was the best dog in the world. We have since adopted two new dogs. Both of whom are the best dogs in the world. Funny how that works. They needed us, and we needed them.
I’ve thought of that too Ivylass. But it would not be fair to the animal. You would likely die before them. And as much as I love my animals, with all my heart and soul, I think they love me/us more.
My best friend was a fat yellow guy named Thomas too! Thogh only for 7 years. Your tribute to your darling moved me to tears. You gave Thomas the greatest life for a long time, and Bast thanks you.
I don’t have anything to add that hasn’t been said before, but I wanted you to know that I’m so sorry for your loss, Tinkertoy. I’ve lost a few whiskered best friends and it’s heartbreaking. You gave Thomas a wonderful life, and I’m sure he’s in a place now that’s full of catnip, comfy beds, and retarded mice!
I would venture to say that most of those responding here have loved and lost a pet. I know I have, that’s why I’m crying as I type.
Once, at a store, I saw a condolence card for the death of a pet. I try to keep it’s words in mind,“Always remember that your last loving act gave your pet freedom from illness and pain.”
Tinkertoy, I am so sorry to hear about Thomas. Your post was beautiful, and I’m sure that Thomas loved you as much as you loved him.
My first post on these boards was about my cat, Mao, who passed away 15 June 2005. At the time I was nearly overwhelmed with grief, and posting about her life here provided me with some much-needed solace.
I hope that you can feel the love we are all sending your way, as I felt it 6 weeks ago.
My wife and I don’t remember what our lives were like before the cats, and can’t imagine a life without them. It sounds like you have a lot of love to give, and though there will never be another Thomas, there are other cats who will benefit from your affection and companionship (and I’m sure the feelings would be mutual).