selenay | Kate-cat

I’ve been trying to work out how to start this post for a couple of days, but there is no good way to do it so here it is.

After we got the news in my last post we had a couple of bad days, but then Kate settled a bit and started eating. Two weeks ago she had another steroid shot, which really perked her up: she was eating everything in sight (so many “little spoonful”s, so many), had enough energy to be playful at times (she caught a bug and we had a couple of sessions chasing shiny spots on the floor), and became more sociable than she had been for a few weeks. It was almost like having the old Kate back for a while.

On Tuesday evening, after family zoom, she marched up to the sofa as I was settling in with my pre-bed tea and demanded to be picked up and put on my lap. I ended up going to bed super late because she wanted a long snuggle.

On Wednesday morning, she wasn’t at my bedroom door yelling for breakfast so I knew something was wrong. I found her under the sofa and she was clearly not feeling well, so I let her totter off to settle on a blanket while I called the vet and got a telephone appointment for 12.30 (argh, lockdown).

Around 11am, it became obvious that she was deteriorating fast. I sat with her and called the vet, managed to get an in-person appointment for an hour later. From what was happening, I suspected a stroke.

When we got there, the vet confirmed she’d had a stroke and her back half was paralysed. We made the decision to put her to sleep.

It was all very peaceful at the end. They let me have a few minutes to say goodbye, then the vet injected the anesthetic and Kate went to sleep while I talked to her and stroked her.

She was a good and affectionate cat to the end. I’m so glad that I got those two weeks of almost normality and that long cuddle with her on Tuesday. Having the end come so suddenly is a bit of a blessing. I’d always said that I’d let her go when she was ready but I was worried that she’d fade away slowly and I wouldn’t be sure about whether I’d got the timing right.

On Wednesday, I knew when I found her under the sofa that she was ready. We got some good time together and I was there with her to the end, which was all I wanted for her. She was such a great cat and a part of the family for twelve years.

Annie and I are adjusting. Ish. It feels strange not having Kate pop up to narrate her day or demand food. I keep expecting to see her sitting on the box in front of the patio door or trotting up to claim my lap whenever I sit down in my armchair. Annie is currently my shadow cat - I think she’s finding it a bit lonely not having her sister around. Hopefully she’ll get used to it in time.

We’re sad here and it’s been tough finding the right words, but I’ve got a lot of memories and photos, so Kate won’t be forgotten.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

rmc28

Oh, I'm so sorry, but I'm glad it went as well as it did.

choirwoman

What RMC28 said. {{{hugs}}}

sweet_exile

I'm sorry but I am glad you were able to spend that time with her & have good memories.

torakowalski

I'm so sorry. <333333

goodbyebird

So sorry for your loss ♥

kore

I am so sorry. But also glad that you had that good time with her, and she had a peaceful death.

umadoshi

I'm so sorry. ;_; And I'm glad you were able to have some truly good time her right to the end, and that she had you there to take such good care of her.

nia_kantorka

I’m sorry for you, Annie and your family about Kate’s loss. But you’re right about the fear of her fading away slowly- that’s so hard to watch. And like this it was peaceful and she didn’t have to suffer for long. You’ll probably always miss her and that’s good because you remember her that way. I’m sending hugs.

princessofgeeks

I am so sorry.

paranoidangel

I'm so sorry. She had a good life, she knew she was loved and didn't suffer in the end. It's not much consolation now, but it will be. And it will get easier to deal with, in time, there's just nothing you can do to feel better, except wait. And cuddle Annie.