Fetish's last day

[mckitterick]

Today is Fetish-Kitty's last day, and her vet was not only kind enough to make a house-call appointment to put her to sleep, but also is not charging for the service. I guess she's been such a good customer, especially over the past year....

I'm having a hard time with this. Until a few minutes ago, she was sitting on my lap, and she seems so lovey and cuddly, even though she can't use her back legs very well and she can't control her waste very well, and the diabetes and rare muscle-degenration disease and all that. Especially her loss of interest in "kitty TV," the congregation of birds and squirrels on the back porch, gobbling seeds and whatnot.

Even so, because Fetish can still be so lovey, it's hard to think about her not being alive anymore in two hours.

Since Lydia made the decision to euthenize Fetish last week, we've been giving her as much attention as we can. Reading with her on our laps, watching shows with her on my lap, especially when I get home late from teaching in Kansas City; helping her up and down the stairs when she wants to explore; giving her as much food as she wants, even people food, because - what, it's going to kill her? When one of us is home, we're also letting her roam freely about the house, though keeping a keen eye on her because of her incontinence. Right now she's napping in the cupboard under the upstairs bathroom sink; I rearranged in there and put down a fluffy towel. Soon she'll want to be carried back downstairs for another meal, I'm sure.

I'm just so blue about this! She's not even my cat, and I've only known her for 8 years, lived with her for fewer still. But except for my beloved Helen, I've never met such a lovey cat as Fetish.



It's going to be so strange without her here. The house will feel so empty without her affectionate presence.

Lydia's coming home now, and the vet will be here in an hour or so. My heart is heavy.

Edit: She's had her acepromazine tablet to relax her for the vet's visit, and it seems to have also relieved some of her pain. She's stretching out longer than she has in a while, even wagging a bit.

Chris

Comments

[auroraceleste.livejournal.com]

I'll be keeping you two in my thoughts for the next few hours.

[tessagratton.livejournal.com]

Big love. <3

[bammba-m.livejournal.com]

I am so sorry for your loss.
*hugs*

[edichka2.livejournal.com]

Ouch.

Warm thoughts,
- E

[rougewench.livejournal.com]

Deepest empathy to you both as you pass through this experience.

So very hard to make such a choice, particularly when the companion is such a fine one. So very kind of your vet to help in such a fashion.

You all remain in my thoughts.


D.

[saffronhare.livejournal.com]

Thinking of you all...

[http://users.livejournal.com/_luaineach/]

:(

[acommonreader.livejournal.com]

I am so sorry. How terrible. I am thinking of you two, and Fetish also, and send my love.

[curieuse.livejournal.com]

Sending you both lots of good, loving energy.

[stuology.livejournal.com]

Thinking about you both right now.

[indigodreamer.livejournal.com]

You write beautifully about these things. I am thinking of you all and am so truly sorry for your loss.

[archway.livejournal.com]

~gentle hugs, warm prayers~ You and yours are in my thoughts. I am deeply sorry for your loss.

[frugurl27.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

[kalimeg.livejournal.com]

I'm sure you will miss her.

[weaselmom.livejournal.com]

Well, you know I empathize. I am sorry that you're going through this, and I am sure it must bring up the old sadness about Helen-kitty too. All around a very sad day at the tail end of what has been a loathsome month. ::hugs::

[kimberlywade.livejournal.com]

She's beautiful. RIP.

[adamposadas.livejournal.com]

O so much love for everybody!! Big hug, love.

[secret-malady.livejournal.com]

I actually logged on here for the first time in months and months to see how Fetish was doing. I am tearful thinking of Lydia's loss and your loss. Sweet, sweet Fetish, who charmed me from the moment I met her. She will leave a wonderful legacy behind. Many many hugs to Lydia and you.

[stolen-valkyrie.livejournal.com]

I just got a cat two weeks ago and I can't imagine her gone... much less 8 years! I'll keep you both in my thoughts.

[drpaisley.livejournal.com]

My condolences to you both. I am glad you were able to spend some quality time with her before the end.

[royal-spice.livejournal.com]

So sorry. Love to you both.

my condolences and sympathy

[dragonet2.livejournal.com]

Doing that kind of thing is the most Grown Up and horrid thing we've had to do.

Love to both of yous. And hugs across the e-ways.

[brisingamen.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry. It is, I think, something to be able to offer our cats a dignified end. When we had to make the difficult decision about Snufkin it was good to be able to take the time to say a proper goodbye.

[kimberlycreates.livejournal.com]

It's so hard to say good-bye to our fur-friends, and it's such a tough think to have to make the decision of what is best for them. Especially when they're still purring. I lost one of mine over a year ago and every day I'm afraid I'm going to lose her brother too. (No signs of health problems, just generally afraid of losing him.)

[theoneinblue.livejournal.com]

Beautiful Fetish! My heart is with you and Lydia.

[cmt2779.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry. It just never gets any easier to lose them. I hope it's some small consolation that her final moments were at home and included some relief.

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

Chris, I'm so very sorry.

[roya-spirit.livejournal.com]

Awww... Chris |||hug||| you are so sweet.

yep, it's so hard, and hard to see them gone.

It's entirely the right choice, I can see the difference in her just from the pix. Poor kitty, she's due to leave this mortal coil.

luv.