Friday cat-blogging is a blogging tradition, I've heard. So this is as good a time as any...
Bellissimo, "the most beautiful", is my favorite cat ever. Even though both of our cats belonged to my wife-to-be when I met her, Bellissimo quickly became "my" cat (Mrs. Aardvark got the "bad cat", lucky her). Back before we had kids, I used to lie down with Bellissimo every night when I got home from work. He would wait for me in the window, and then run to greet me. Of course, he also started humping the leg of the cable guy once, so I'm not sure how much I should let that go to my head...
The first time we brought him to the vet in Massachussetts (seven years ago, now), the vet exclaimed in surprise "My! He's a husky boy." But Bellissimo has lost five pounds in the last six weeks. He's skin and bones - the "husky cat" no more. His liver is shot. Cancer? A virus? Just one of those things? He's going in for more tests on Tuesday, but it doesn't look good for him.
Here's to hoping that this isn't goodbye, old friend.
How do we tell the cub that Bellissimo isn't here to say good night to her anymore?
I read this with great sadness. My favorite cat got a rare disease that distroyed her bone marrow. I spent two weeks in the closet with her, begging her to eat. we dodged death three times before it hit. I gave her transfusions, had the fluid around her lungs drained, bought and administered Procrit, and other medicine the vets told me would surely work...
I will miss her comfy noises she made, when settling in for the night, for the rest of my life. I sure hope there is an afterlife, just so I can believe they are not lost, not my Mentor, my cat or my favorite horse. But I did the right thing, finally, and eased her into a sleep where pain could not touch her.
Go easy on yourself, and know that somewhere out there, a woman is sitting at her desk, on her horsefarm, weeping for you. Losing those we love is never easy, but cats... they are little innocents, sharing our lives, and making us smile so much of the time, we forget thier time is short.
I bid you Blessing, the cub will understand that Bellissimo is in heaven waiting for her. I had a friend who had to do this and the kids seemed to grasp it that way.
FLORA
Posted by: FLORA | June 17, 2005 at 06:48 PM
Poor pussy-cat. But he lead the life of the rich and famous chez the Aardvarks. Doesn't get much better for kitty-cats.
Well, just tell the cub that replacement cats are necessary every so often, and that the old ones retire to the land of catnip and tuna. Tell cub that the replacement kitty is ready and just waiting to make cub's acquaintance and that Belissimo needs to be exchanged very soon and is looking forward to the feline retirement lifestyle of tasty snacks and long naps with his "friends".
Posted by: Nur al-Cubicle | June 17, 2005 at 09:26 PM
Sorry to hear about your cat. I know how it feels to lose your pet cat. Believe me you (and your cub) will get over it.
Good luck with the tests.
Posted by: El Savior | June 19, 2005 at 02:41 AM
That is one beautiful kitty...really lives up to his name. Hope he recovers.
Happy fathers' day to all you Abus....
Posted by: SP | June 19, 2005 at 06:24 AM
These were the parting words I whispered to my cat, maybe they will bring you comfort. They are old (1750's) from Christopher Smart. Here's an excerpt:
JUBILATE AGNO
For in his morning orisons he loves the sun and the sun loves him.
For he has the subtlety and hissing of a serpent, which in goodness he suppresses.
For he will not do destruction, if he is well-fed, neither will he spit without provocation.
For he purrs in thankfulness, when God tells him he's a good Cat.
For he is an instrument for the children to learn benevolence upon.
For every house is incomplete without him and a blessing is lacking in the spirit.
For every family had one cat at least in the bag.
For he is the quickest to his mark of any creature.
For he is tenacious of his point.
For he is a mixture of gravity and waggery.
For, tho he cannot fly, he is an excellent clamberer.
For he can swim for life.
For he can creep.
For there is nothing sweeter than his peace when at rest.
For there is nothing brisker than his life when in motion
For he is of the tribe of tiger
Posted by: Shrink in SF | June 20, 2005 at 01:45 AM
Blessings to you and Bellisimo. If he should have contracted diabetes (as big, well-fed cats are wont to do), please know that with care, he can continue a happy life, as my cat Mr. Christmas (see url) will attest to. He has had diabetes for 4 or 5 years now. Please contact us if you need advice or sympathy.
These are useful lessons for the aardvark cub, lessons on how we treat the sick and/or dying.
Again, blessings to all,
Posted by: rosel | June 24, 2005 at 10:33 AM