Losing A Pet: They Are Family Not Possessions

Losing A Pet

Losing a pet is hard to go through, especially if the bond between you and that pet is strong. I never thought I would lose my beloved companion cat Skeeter before our oldest feline, but on October 17, 2020, at 9:00 p.m. I watched my baby kitty die.

She chose me

I remember when we decided to adopt another cat. Kit Kat was adopted in 2002 and needed a playmate, so in November of 2006 when we arrived at the location I was torn because there were twins available yet was only “allowed” to take one. This little gray fuzzball looked me in the eye and mewed. She chose me from the very moment I held her in my cupped hands.

It took me a while to name our newcomer. I introduced her to the outside world the next spring and while she explored the yard on her leash, I noticed that this cat was stalking bugs and had a talent for catching mosquitos as they flew near her nose. I started calling her Skeeter. The name fit!

Being Russian Blue, skeeter was a gentle soul and very child-like. She was indeed the baby and was very attached to me, and I to her. Our conversations were quite real and I knew she could “understand” most of what I said to her. She was vocal to me only.

Skeeter got lost

One time I allowed Skeeter to explore the yard off-leash. And just as a child, if you take your eyes off them for a minute they’ll be gone. She vanished and I was in a panic. We searched for two days. I finally got a hunch and called our police department. What luck! Skeeter had been found just three blocks away. A couple of dogs had chased her up a tree and the policeman climbed thirty feet up that tree to get her! She had no collar or chip so they had no way of knowing who her parent was. After that experience, I knew she felt safer in her harness.

The Catio

We had four cats total and so we built the catio for them. A lot safer and a way for them to enjoy the outdoors in the Summer months. The only one who does not enjoy the catio is Charlie. He came to us as a stray in 2009 and was living outside mainly. We had a heated house for him in the winter. He wanted to come inside but I would always say “sorry charlie”. Well, it wasn’t too long and he was allowed inside and that name stuck!

And Then There Is Bob

I adopted Bob two years ago in October. He and Skeeter actually shared the same birthday of Sept 10th. Bob’s mom had a few cats and two were pregnant pretty close to each other. Bob was the first to be born of his litter but appeared to be having difficulty so his human Rochelle attempted to help by grasping his tail, which promptly came off. He now resembles a bobcat. Hence his name…Rochelle initially named him Robert but he is simply Bob. Rochelle was forced to relocate to assisted living. Luckily we found a wonderful foster home for the rest of the kitties. I knew Bob was special and he is. Quite the personality!

Skeeter and Bob

I made the mistake of bringing Bob into “skeeters room” when I first brought him home. Skeeter would not have anything to do with Bob and wouldn’t come into the bedroom for two weeks! As Bob grew, so did his desire to pick on Skeeter. Bob became the house bully and I was at a loss as to what to do, so I decided it was best to isolate Skeeter, which she very much enjoyed I might add! She had her own litter box and food in “her room” the bedroom, where she could sit on my desk and enjoy the view and lounge without being singled out. She had Mumma all to herself when I got home and didn’t have to share her mom.

The End

The last year with Skeeter was bitter-sweet. She would vomit several times a day and then refuse to eat. A trip to the vet on August 10th showed her kidneys were abnormally small. I requested an x-ray to see if she had developed bladder stones again or there was an obstruction. she was put on Metamucil and an antibiotic. A kidney/liver support supplement was purchased for her and administered via syringe until she decided to eat. While praying one Sabbath eve a week later and she suddenly got up and went to her dish and started drinking water. She ate some food and seemed to bounce back… which she did for over a month and then suddenly took a turn for the worse. She grew weaker until that last Sabbath night. She vomited and lay on the floor. I got a towel and placed it and her on the bed and laid next to her. She struggled to breathe that last 30 minutes, her respirations growing farther and farther apart until she convulsed and gave one last breath. I cry even now as I write this.

Is it normal to grieve?

It is normal to grieve for our pets. It was devastating to lose Skeeter. I have lost other pets, but up until now had lived in the country and they just went outside and never returned. This is the first time I was present at the death of a pet. I cried and still cry when I think of her. She was special.

Skeeter wasn’t just a cat, she was my baby for over 14 years who loved me unconditionally and listened to my every word, and was always there. She was my service cat In every sense. BUT I will see her again and in the meantime, I am having her replicated into a stuffed animal. I will update this post when she comes home in January!

There are different ways we grieve when losing a pet. There is a memorial in my room for Skeeter.

She is buried in our yard. (We have four lots. One is wooded) There will be a marker for her besides the small one I managed to find online on short notice. I still cry. It’s normal to cry when we lose someone we love, even losing a pet. It is also good to talk about your loss to friends and if you have them, family who understand. It is comforting to have photos and videos to look at from time to time. Everyone grieves differently so don’t let anyone belittle the loss you have suffered.

Update!

Since writing this post, my Skeeter has returned home… in the form of a toy! Yes, I have had her replicated and they did a fine job indeed: See photo below. If you would like to preserve your beloved pet as a toy: Visit Petsies!

Having the other three felines around has been a comfort. Charlie and Bob got to say goodbye before I shut the box that served as a casket. Charlie was animated and it was very clear that he was saddened by Skeeters passing. Bob acted as though she were sleeping and still searches the room for her before he jumps up on the bed for his nap. KitKat didn’t notice, being quite old and senile herself. I honestly expected to bury her this year, yet she keeps on going…reminds me of that energizer bunny on tv. Who knows how long she will live? My husband says she will outlive everyone!

Enjoy them while they are here…spoil them and give them a wonderful life because they give their life to you!

Until next time, make each and every day count for something!