I promise not to get sidetracked too much, but this was too much for me to ignore today so I wanted to post this. Today I got to hold my best friend of 14+years as he took his final breaths. He was my only constant over that time period and like most pets, gave unconditional love through the good times and the bad times.
I know many folks will say, its just a cat, but to me he was more. He had a very unique personality that was only his (more so than some people I’ve known.) He was a Hemingway cat or Poly-dactyl meaning he had extra digits on his paws. He was a six fingered cat. Him and his brother, 6-toed Jimmy, I know creative, both had the extra toes while the two other litter mates didn’t.
Even though he was 14 years old, he was as playful as a kitten. About a year and a half ago, he came down with what seemed like a cold he couldn’t shake. After many trials of antibiotics and other meds, he was diagnosed with a tumor in his nasal cavity. That was about 16 months ago. He was pretty energetic through most of it still.
We treated him with a monthly dose of steroids to keep the swelling of the tumor down, and tried to make sure he ate and kept going. The tumor would effect his ability to smell and when cats can’t smell they tend to stop eating. We had to prevent that from happening.
My biggest fear was knowing when it was time to let him go. I didn’t want to do it because it would be “convenient” for us or it would make our life easier. As long as his quality of life was ok, we would continue to treat the symptoms. About a month ago, we could tell it was getting closer.
Well that time came this morning. He had stopped eating sometime yesterday and today when we got up he couldn’t even stand up. We believe he was likely having some kind of organ failure. Thankfully our wonderful vet at the City Cat Clinic in St Louis interrupted their New Years Day dinner to come in and help us ease our little buddy’s pain.
He passed on this afternoon around 2:20 pm with me and Amy holding and petting him. He will be missed greatly. We love you Buster.
R.I.P. Buster "bubba" - June 26, 1996 to January 1, 2011
My heart aches for you! Pets are such an enormous part of our families; it’s hard to say good-bye. Maybe after some healing time for you heart, you might give another little kitty a chance to share your life.
I lost my faithful companion of 15 years and 1 day this past year. Shadow was with me through so many ups & downs, so I know how much you must be grieving for Bubba.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us.
This is a truely wonderful tribute to our Bubba. Thank you!
I was so sorry to hear of bubbas passing. As I was sitting with Georgia it’s hard to believe that she is the only one left and that she is as old as she is because she still looks so young. It was kind interesting before bubba passed I was in my kitchen waiting for coffee and I was thinking about whether bubba and georgia would remember each other since they were from the same litter and then a couple of days later u called to say he was gone so sad love mom
amazing, touching story, what a great friend you are to your feline friends 😀 RIP lil kitty.