Sooty died this morning. He had become poorly again over the weekend (he was ill the weekend before and the vet got him back from imminent renal failure with some steroids and antibiotics) and it became clear that his kidneys weren't going to manage a lot more. A blood test yesterday confirmed that they weren't functioning, and there was nothing else left to do for him.
He had a very good day on Monday, eating some roast chicken Mum cooked for him (and her) and sunning himself in the garden, but from Tuesday onwards he refused to eat, drink, go to the loo and wash himself. It was obvious that the end was going to be very soon and it seemed kindest to take him to the vets to end it. Mum and I were with him when he died.
Sooty was a very sweet cat. A half-Burmese (the result of an accident when his Mum encountered a farmyard tom), he would let anyone do anything to him. When we first got him and his sister, Smokey, when I was 8, I used to push him around in my doll's pushchair. Smokey would never have stood for anything like that! Smokey predeceased him by 3 years.
Sooty was involved in a car accident at nine months old and had to have a leg amputated but that didn't stop him shinning up trees, caterwauling on flat roofs and killing mice and birds (including my pet budgie). By the time he turned 18, a year ago, his one back leg was very arthritic and he could no longer jump onto anything. But anti-inflammatories meant he could still get around. He was very good at sucking up to guests ("Look at me, I'm a poor pussy cat, with only 3 legs!") and would follow people around demanding to be picked up and cuddled. He also regularly chatted to me on the phone whilst I was away at university.
He will be very much missed. It is a great consolation though that he had such a long life (and active one!). I don't see any reason why animals can't go to heaven as well as humans, and I imagine he's up there already, probably already with my Dad who would be saying something like, "Oh God, the bloody cat's up here too now!". In a weird sort of way (God working in mysterious ways?) I'm glad I couldn't get to Greenbelt last weekend as it meant I could spend the whole weekend with Sooty and go to the vets with him yesterday and today.
24 comments:
oh, I'm so sorry! Andre and Stella (my kitties) send kitty loving and are saying little kitty prayers for your peace (kittens definately go to heaven!
-Tara
(blondechicken from the Knittyboard)
So sorry to read about Sooty. I think Tia will be joining him in the next year. He had a long & happy life & I'm sure will be annoying your Dad & demanding bowls of milk & pieces of cheese.
I am so sorry about Sooty I know how much he must have meant to you x
It's so hard when pets die - they become part of our families so quickly and easily and it's always hard when they finally pass away. Thinking of you x
So sorry about Sooty, but I think your mum and you did the right thing. I cant stand owners that keep their pets around just for their own sake, when clearly they are in pain. Sooty sounds as though he had a wonderful life, and your mum probably treated him as though he were her own child. Your comment about what your dad would say actually made me laugh, and I am sure he has some company up there too now. Hope you and your mum are okay.
Oh, I'm so sorry! It's so hard to lose a beloved pet! But try to take comfort in what a good life Sooty had with you. Many cats would be envious.
I'm so sorry about Sooty. Pets become such a part of our families, it's hard to let them go when their time comes. I'm sure he is up there with your dad.
Thinking of you.
Iris
xx
I'm so sorry: He sounds like such a character!
I'm so sorry. It sounds as though he had the best life a cat could and letting him go gently was the kindest thing to do. Loads of {hugs}
It's funny how pets become family members that mean evr so much to us. Now he's peaceful and you got to spend the precious last moments with him. Hope you're on the mend too. x
So sorry to hear about Sooty but it's good that you got to spend precious time with him during his last few days. Glad that you're finding comfort in thinking what a good life he had. He really did seem to be such a character!
I'm so sorry to hear about Sooty. But I think you are right about not going to Greenbelt so you could be with Sooty on his last weekend. Sometimes we don't get what we want, but what we need. Sending hugs and prayers your way.
So sorry about Sooty, hope you can find some peace in the knowledge that he lived a happy life and isn't suffering anymore {hugs} xxx
Goodbye Sooty - I'll miss hearing stories about him. Hugs.
I'm so sorry to hear about Sooty. I'm glad you were able to be with him. He sounds like he was a very lovely part of your family. Best wishes to you and your mum.
I'm a bit behind in my blog reading but I wanted to say I'm sorry to hear about Sooty. Its hard to lose a pet and I know you'll miss him loads but think how lucky you were to have him share your life. :-)
I'm so sorry to hear about Sooty. He looks like a lovely cat and it sounds like you had some wonderful times together.
Awww, katie! I am so sorry to hear about your sooty. Its heartbreaking, I know, but just think of all that yarn stash that make the fluffy clouds of heaven he's got to play with!!!
I'm so sorry Katie. I'm glad you were kind and brave enough to help him out of his suffering.
I'm so sorry. He had an amazingly long and obviosuly happy life with you. Thinking of you.
I hope Sooty has gone to the great fishing ground .It is heart-breaking when you lose them.
I'm very sorry about Sooty. What a lovely long life he had with you. It's very hrd when we lose our pets, they are truly a part of the family.
Sooty was indeed good at the pathetic cat with only 3 legs bit - I think I was taken in on several occasions.
I know you will miss him, but I'm glad you got to say a proper goodbye.
I have only just seen your post about sooty and just wanted to say I was sorry to hear the sad news. I have a cat who is similar to sooty and has a bit of Burmese in him (he is too noisy to be a cat!!) xxx
Lin
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