A Tragic Loss
I went into the gallery today and called out to my cat Oliver as I have done for the past 4 years. Today I was greeted with silence. This bothered me because usually he would meow as soon as he hears me jingling the keys.
Oliver passed away sometime last night. I am at a total loss. I held him and cried for hours. I railed against the Powers That Be for the senseless cruelty of it all. Somewhere deep inside I hoped he would come back to life. I have never had an animal just die on me. All of my animals have lived very long, very healthy healthy lives. And then at the end, I would struggle with when I should finally end their suffering by taking them to the vet. All of this ritual gave me a chance to say good-bye. A chance to adjust to the loss before it even happens. A chance for closure. Not this time.
Yesterday he was healthy and playful and every bit himself. He antagonized Mike and cuddled with me for over an hour before I left for the night. He then ate his supper and used his box and then died. We had 4 years together and I had expected to have 10 more. I have a gaping hole in my life and I can barely tolerate the thought of going into the empty gallery where his ghost will be around every corner. He was my constant companion, always with me in every room. He was a joy and made me laugh every single day. A gift like that will be so very much missed.
I’m so sorry about your sweet kitty. I can see how beautiful and loving he was in your photos. I have a strong bond with our Tiggie and Possum, so I can identify. They are family. My thoughts are with you.
Thanks so much Gabriella. I never thought it would be so hard. I have been crying for days. Today is better. Tomorrow hopefully more so. I think it is the suddeness of it all. That and the fact that I spent more time in the gallery than anywhere else. Really bad (really, really bad) photos of me, but Oliver is adorable in them.
Mona I am so sorry about Oliver, i can see how much he was loved. Lost my dear Marble a rescue kitty. He was a cuddle bug, always with me in my pottery studio or curled in my lap when I was at the computer. He was at risk when he came to us at 4 weeks old b/c he was very dehydrated, but thrived and lived for for 7 years before developing an immune anemia condition, long story, many vet visits, not Feleuk not FIP. just some immune disease that the specialists and all the tests could not identify that was eating up his immune system. I will never be the same without him, and like you with Oliver,I still see him or feel him everywhere A brush against the leg, the soft rub I feel when I am doing pottery. the way he used to leap into my arms to be cuddled. They walk into our lives and are gift to us I only hope we get to meet them again, or maybe we see them again when we look into the eyes of that scrawny homeless kitty that wanders into our lives. You gave him a great life and love. My thoughts also are with you.
I couldn’t take it in the gallery without Oliver. It was just too lonely. Budda has made my world a happy place again, even though he is far more naughty, there is nothing Budda likes more than to be held and loved.
I am sorry for your loss. I would think being a rescue you meet with tragedy quite often. Though I imagine the reward and love you receive far exceeds it.
Blessings upon you and your work.