Tuffy is on your left. We had a mutual working relationship with him. He would stay with us if we fed him. He also had a working relationship with the black and white Thomas. We have to live together so I will tolerate you, but don't expect us to be mates. Tuffy had a tough early life and I suppose you could say we rescued him.
Thomas was the opposite. He was a quite large cat, although he does not appear to be in the photo. He was affectionate to the point of being embarrassing. He was constantly rubbing against legs, jumping up onto laps, seeking affection wherever he could. He would purr at the drop of a hat and unfortunately drool when you patted him. Ten minutes of Thomas on your lap and you would have a significantly sized wet spot.
Although we think Thomas was a bit older than Tuffy, they both died of old age within twelve months of each other. It is always hard to pick the right moment for that final trip to the vet, but I think we got the quality of life balance right. We shed a tear as Tuffy went. We blubbed likes babies as Thomas went and drank too much that evening. I'm glad we had a female vet, who was just great. Sometimes women can comfort in a way men never can.
They wind their paws deep into your heart strings and take a piece of you with them when they leave don't they?
ReplyDeleteThey do EC, and dogs are even worse than cats.
DeleteAt least you didn't say I had lost one of my cocks!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the big up x
I might have John, but I thought I had pushed things far enough.
DeleteThe loss of a beloved pet is always a heartbeaker, even with snooty, stand offish creatures like Tuffy. Yet humans live 80+ years, dogs 10 years or so and cats 13 years or so. So it shouldn't be a surprise that in a lifetime of pet owning, we are going to bury a lot of animals!
ReplyDeleteWhen my gorgeous black labrador Emperor Rudolf II of Prague had to eventually be put down, we invited all the family to say goodbye to him at a Last Supper in our family room. I think Rudy was too sick to enjoy it, but the family appreciated their last moments.
That is a gorgeous story Hels and I love his name.
DeleteI don't like cats but I can understand someone mourning the loss of a pet. That trip to the vet is hard. I had to take our dog years ago but still remember the trauma.
ReplyDeleteDiane, in some ways it seems worse than when a close one dies. Not sure why. I am a dog person, but cats are ok.
DeletePussies, wet spots, and the comfort of women?? That almost overshadows the pathos of pet loss ... we inherited an 18 yo old cat from our home's previous owners. 6 months later when it died, we bawled for hours!
ReplyDeleteRed, are you saying I spoilt the solemnity of the post with poorly chosen words? Unexpected deaths are possibly harder. Was the 18 year old cat's death unexpected?
DeleteNo, I am just saying you sure know how to lure a girl in!!! The cat had kidney failure so had to be put down. It's amazing how attached you can get in 6 months!
DeleteRed, interesting to ponder how time does not necessarily form attachment.
DeleteIt seems to be a thing with black and white cats, I've never met one yet that didn't purr at a single touch and wind in and out of my ankles before sleeping on my lap.
ReplyDeleteSad when they die, I cried buckets of tears when my last cat had to be put down.
Quick run through the memory bank River, I think he was the only black and white cat I ever knew. Is it the helplessness of pets, like we are totally responsible for them that makes us grieve so much?
DeleteHow sweet the two cats on the barbecue ! Yes it's a hard decision to take when they become too old and sick. My vet is also a lady, I think especially for cats they are more soft and sensible. When my last cat died after 19 years of life together, I was crying so much that my vet took me in her arms and hugged me !
ReplyDeleteGattina, that is sweet that your vet gave you a hug. When our favourite dog was put down by a different vet, we were sent flowers, which made us wonder how much we had paid. I think we were regular customers.
DeleteThey're very helpful cats!
ReplyDeleteNot so Fen. It was all about them.
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