My wife got Reuben as a kitten in Olympia, Washington when she was still in college. He was so tiny he fit in the palm of her hand. He moved and lived with her all over the country, from Joshua Tree to Portland, Maine, and a half dozen places in between. Eight years ago she and Reuben settled in the DC area and met me. Together we had 2 apartments over 3 years, adopted him a little sister, bought a house, and got married.
He’s 17 years old and in bad shape with cancer. He was definitively diagnosed a week before last Xmas, and at the time the vet optimistically gave him a month, but he’s been mostly okay right up until about a week ago. I’m certain he’s been hiding discomfort as cats are wont to do, but outwardly he’s behaved more or less normally. The cancer was detected in his lungs, but we’re not really sure if it originated there or not. It doesn’t really matter I guess.
He’s our sweet little man. He’s a lap cat and a chatterer; Reuben and I have had lots and lots of both short and quite extended conversations over the years about only he knows what. I built him a shelf for the window near the stairs shortly after we moved in to the house that has been his favorite spot ever since. Every day when we come home from work or wherever he likes to smell our heads to see where we’ve been. He even had his own blog last year.
We have a mobile vet coming to the house a 800pm tonight to send him on his way. I spent this afternoon building him a casket and digging him a grave outside his window. My wife had to go out of town last weekend for the death of a family friend and I spent the time at home with Reuben saying goodbye. I’m still heartbroken but I’m mostly okay now. Reuben and I are square. My wife is still in the middle of saying her goodbyes since yesterday and I’m sure right up until the time comes.
Goodbye, sweet Reuben. We gave you the best life we could. Thank you for sharing your wonderful little life with us. You will be missed. Goodnight, little man. I love you.
It’s really tough to lose these little critters, especially after so many years together and so much companionship. Heartfelt sorries to you and the Mrs.
Tonka was probably eight years old when we picked him up from the shelter four years ago. (Harvey was eight when he died suddenly.) I love the hell out of that cat, and Creamsicle too. But I dread the day we lose them.
Agreed. All of you, to one another. Reuben sounds like he is a most exceptional kitty, and you and your wife most exceptional humans to Reuben. Your written tribute made me tear up. You and your wife are examples of how we all ought to honor our beloved life companions. Thank you for sharing it, and I will be thinking of you all tonight.
Sigh. I am so sorry. My 17-year-old cat is having severe kidney problems and is really not feeling well in spite of the medicines we are feeding her. I am trying to make my peace with the thought of losing her as well.
I told my wife I am not getting any more cats. I can’t deal with losing pets anymore, even if they lived a full long life.
I feel ya my blacky will be 16 soon … she knows shes old and sometimes it catches up other days she thinks she can out run the I year old pair we got last year …
when we got her the was almost doa being only 3 weeks old … some jackass left her out bwhind my cousins bread delivery depot her eyes couldn’t open her nose and ears were so infected he had to use a q-tip on her to breathe …
we tried some home stuff from petsmart but didn’t work took it back with her petsmart took one look at her and said see the vet but don’t expect much me and aunt took her in and the vet was surprised she lasted that long gave us 200 bucks of meds for half price and said just hope
she was so small I put her on my shoulder to sleep so I could make sure she still was breathing… the sinus infection finally broke so she could smell the moms milk formula we were bottle feeding her
And slowly she got better and spoiled …when we took her back at 16 weeks no one believed it was her the vet swore she passed on I think they used dental records or something cause they took a picture and she was on their wall for years …
Now shes old grumpy and demanding like an old queen in her castle …(god forbid she dosent get her soft food right at 10 pm)
