Poor old cat got his send off today

Well, my poor old boy Sam passed on Christmas, and it's taken awhile to post about it. It wasn't a sudden thing, he's not been in great shape for a couple years. Weak tummy, and accident prone, more so near the end, and it was his time. A few strays came around, and he'd lose teeth fighting. He couldn't chew very well, but soft tinned food would just run through the poor guy.

We found him as a stray back in 2000?, and he was already a grown mature male by then. A conservative guess puts him at 18-19 years old. I think he was part Maine coon cat, by his size and scruff, funny ear hair, and funny toes among other things. He wasn't polydactile? (6 toed) but his feet were different than normal cats, like big mitts for a cat.

He liked the wood stove more than anyone, he would curl up there from morning to night, he'd leave to eat, and then back to the stove. Except for when my gal had some health problems, and then he would go snuggle her feet in bed, staying with her the whole time. A real loving cat all around.

So today, I made him an outdoor fire to send him on his way, and he is warm, one last time. Goodbye Sam.

 

Thanks Dennis

 

Sorry to hear that news---my outdoor stray chose me so perhaps the same thing will happen to you---they are the best!

 

You gave that cat a happy life!

 

Thanks guys.

 

That's the hardest thing about having pets, they don't really last long. I had a cat that was given to us just after we moved into this house (96) and she was probably 7 years old at the time, at least that was what the vet said. We had her until we had to put her down in 2011 due to health issues, failing kidneys being the worst. We estimated that she was around 22 years old and I always joked that she would outlast me. She was a calico cat with a beautiful coat but had a really "ugly" personality in that she only tolerated us and hated everyone else, she didn't like to petted much and if we were persistent, she would scratch or bite us (not really all that hard, more a warning I guess). However, the last 5 years or so, she actually would sit on my lap and purr and she usually slept on our bed. I normally don't particularly like cats, but I didn't mind her too much as she usually kept to herself. I must admit there were a few misty eyes when she finally drifted off that last time.
So I kind of know what you're going through and I feel your pain.

Now, we have an old Beagle that is 11 years old and starting to feel her age. I can tell you that there won't be a dry eye in this house when she goes.

 

Yeah, it's funny how animals can have such personality. Sam was funny in that I couldn't touch his belly or he'd go into fight mode (maybe more playfight mode) and yet my gal could get away with it. Sure, he'd put on crabby face and flick his tail, but he wouldn't do anything.

Or I'd drop some wood in the stove and sit there for a minute, and he'd casually stretch out a paw and hook his claws in my pants, and put on his happy face.

Kind of a weird thing happened I forgot to mention. When I sent him away, a sun halo showed up shortly after. Kind of a nice coincidence.

 

We have a 13 year old Springer here as well getting less mobile. These bundles of fur are sure hard on the heart.

 

Looks just like the cat my parents had when they were living.

 

Lots of wood dust around here today.

 

You should have seen him in his younger days, he was pretty puffed up. Even being thin and frail I'm sure he still weighed 10 lbs. If I can find the photo I'm thinking of, you'll chuckle.

 

Sorry for your loss

 

Sorry about Ol Sam.
My wife has a polydactyl cat. Toeby.

 

Thanks guys.

 

I am sorry for your loss. May he find happiness in kitty heaven.

 

I'm not a big cat fan, but all pets are family. It's tough saying goodbye to any family member. For me, it's more difficult to deal with a loss of a pet than a relative.

Sorry for your loss.