Goodbye, sweet Marilyn.
We put our porch kitty Marilyn, to sleep.
She was gentle and timid… a wobbly hobbly, old lady floof, who was hanging in there… but in the last month, her decline was pronounced.
She has lived on our porch, nearly since the day we got here. And over the last few years, we’ve watched her start to struggle with the stairs, then forgo them altogether.
Sweet girl was OLD OLD.
Walking was hard.
Last summer, I realized that the time she was able to live outside on her own, was coming to an end.
In previous winters, I have only brought her in when it was too cold— she has a heated box on the porch, and she LOVES being outside… but this year I brought her in as soon as the weather turned cool.
For the first time, she did not ask to go outside.
In January I thought I noticed a change in her eating— but I also thought maybe I was being paranoid… she was still so HAPPY.
She loved to have a conversation with you.
When you walked up to her, she would do this outraged squawk-greeting; like she hadn’t seen you in YEARS… and she had this head bobbing up and down that she did along with it.
But then she began having episodes of vomiting— violent and alarming, and unlike ANYTHING I’ve ever seen in a cat.
She got the tests.
We ruled out everything simple.
Her eating reduced more every day.
So then we were at the point where the next step would be determining what kind of cancer she had.
Instead, we let her be.
On her last day, if you didn’t know that she wasn’t eating, you would think she was the happiest cat in the world.
She got lots of love… especially from The Man, who was her favorite… The Man put her fuzzy blanket on his lap and held her. We had the same hospice vet for Elvis come to the house.
It was sad.
But I was grateful.
I wish this is the death I had given Elvis.
In retrospect, it seems so obvious.
At the time, it was not.
I am wiser now.
A good death is the best ending.
Minya’s kitten crew is here.
Elvis’s departure to the big concert in the sky is here.
xoxo,
VEB
ps– I just went to my Minya link and am reposting this video because kittens are the cure for sadness.
February 8, 2019 @ 8:22 am
Between January 1 and January 28 I lost my father, my 13-year-old cat (my first pet, my baby, my love), and my aunt. I notice the loss of my cat the most. I have another cat and a puppy, and they have their own personalities and their own relationships with me, but I miss my baby. I miss how much she hated every single thing except headbutting me at night for a scratch or a pet. I miss yelling at her to Just Stop Growling For Five Minutes PLEASE. Thank you for sharing this – I am finding that it’s easier to grieve for my own losses by grieving someone else’s loss. A sorrow shared is a sorrow lessened.
February 8, 2019 @ 10:29 am
My condolences.
February 8, 2019 @ 11:28 am
I’m so sorry. It is hard to say goodbye but you did the right thing and obviously took great care of her. We love our little (well, not so little) kitties so much. They truly make our house a home.
February 8, 2019 @ 5:55 pm
So sorry to hear of your loss. Our pets hold a special place in our hearts, and I’m sure Marilyn appreciated all the love and care you’ve given her. She was a pretty lady and she sure looks like she had a sweet personality.
February 8, 2019 @ 6:08 pm
I’m so sorry about Marilyn and Elvis. It is so very hard to lose a beloved pet.
February 8, 2019 @ 10:07 pm
Sending vibes of sympathy to you & Marilyn’s Man, and love to that dear cat spirit who learned to trust and love you both. It couldn’t have been an easy esssy to write, but I hope that you understand that the Tribe of VEB & the Tribe of Tigers appreciate you for your vslient mission.
February 10, 2019 @ 10:54 pm
Marilyn was a beautiful girl, and I know she will be greatly missed. Run free, sweet Marilyn!
God bless you and your family, Victoria.
February 11, 2019 @ 5:20 pm
Thank you for sharing it truly was helpful. Having a mobile vet come to you in your pet’s last hours does seem like a “duh” moment after the fact but everyone’s head is always spinning at that point so the obvious solution isn’t as obvious at the time. Our last pet we had to put to sleep at the busy vet’s office left me feeling guilty to this day every time I think about it so I thank you for letting me see a different way of handling it in the future that will be better for all my loved ones, furry and non-furry ones alike. It makes the most sense to do this in the comfort of their home. I know it’s sad but you can take comfort in knowing you did what was best for her and provider her with a happy life to the end.
February 13, 2019 @ 7:55 pm
What a beautiful cat she is! Thank you for caring for her as you did. You gave her a good death. All that love, it is all anyone can ask for. Hugs to you.
February 14, 2019 @ 4:40 pm
Life is hard. She had a great life. I waited too long with my kitty of 20 years, yes 20! He was my best friend and loved me through so much. I had to let him go 10 years ago and still the tears come as I write this.
I learned so much too… a good death, pain free and peaceful is the best.
Thank you for sharing.
February 27, 2019 @ 6:08 pm
I can’t even begin to tell you how sorry I am. I know how much we love our pets and I know the agony of losing them. My cats (3) mean the absolute world to me. I live on a little farm, alone except for them, because my husband died 8 years ago. They are everything to me. I am so sorry and send you love. Yes, thank goodness you have the kittens. It’s hard to be so sad for long with them around.