This picture was taken just at the moment Buddycat breathed her last breath.
Over the years, Buddycat had become very closely bonded to Kim- a lot more bonded to Kim than to me. She followed Kim from room to room during the day and would often jump onto Kim’s desk to sit next to Kim’s computer just so she could insert her identity into Kim’s life. So it is fitting that Buddycat died in Kim’s arms; her last thought on this earth that she was loved and valued. She deserves the dignity to be missed.
Last night Kim called while I was in Chicago to say good night, but she definitely had a depressed affect.
“What’s wrong?” I asked – even though I knew the answer.
Kim responded, “Every night for the past 7 years, Buddycat would wait for me to get into bed and then she jumped onto the bed to snuggle. I can’t believe how much I miss her.”
Last night October 9, 2024, we had to humanely put our Buddycat down. A couple days ago, she was diagnosed with pancreatitis. Then last night, the doctor at the new Animal Emergency Hospital of Byron Center came up with a treatment plan, but it was so intrusive, neither Kim nor I could put her through that.
Buddycat has been an indoor only cat for the last 7 years and Kim and I spoiled her like a grandchild. Over the years, Buddycat developed such a predictable daily routine (as cats do) that you could literally tell the time of day just by finding which room Buddycat was in.
And everyday for the last 7 years when I’d come home from work, Buddycat would meet me at the door and was so happy that I was home. I’d sit in the chair by the back door to remove my work shoes and before I could get up, Buddycat would jump into my lap to rub her head on my beard then jump down.
Buddycat was a very talkative cat. She and I would have long conversations. And even though neither of us understood the other, her meowing and vocalizations seemed so sincere that I had to respond and give her the attention she had become accustomed to. So this morning when I got home from work and walked into the house, it suddenly hit me. She was just a cat, yet even more: a friend and a companion who was always glad when we’d return home.
So we couldn’t put Buddycat through a hospital stay and other people, besides Kim and me, handling her. Hence: our decision to humanely put her to sleep.
After we got home, Kim commented we now have more house, but less home.
But… there are plans afoot for new beginnings and the return of our home: a family from church has a new kitten. He’s got another week before he’s fully weaned, but isn’t he a cutie.
Then last night I happened to find another cat on Craig’s List who is a couple weeks older. So Kim and I are going to Rockford this weekend to interview her… well… okay… just welcome her to our home.
So you know what’s better than a new kitten?… two new kittens!
The Scout passed away July 11, 2024 at age 16 years! She was such a wonderful friend.
In the last couple years, she began to loose weight and toward the end, she weighed less than 9 pounds. For the last several weeks of her life, she could no longer properly digest food. So on July 11, 2024, Kim and I took her to the vet to have her humanely put down. We sat with her until she lost consciousness and said our good-bye.
She was such a good kitty – she loved to cuddle and could purr for 30 to 40 minutes at a time. In the winter, when it was cold, she loved to get under the covers with me snuggle up close. She was a long-hair cat, but had a dense undercoat that made her as soft and snuggly as she looked.