Thanks, folks

POSTED BY: BadgersHat
UPDATED: Tuesday, February 1, 2005 07:26
VIEWED: 1454
PAGE 1 of 1

BADGERSHAT

Tuesday, February 1, 2005 4:07 AM (P)

Hey everybody--

Well, Sam's gone, and it sucks royally.

But, I want to say thanks to everyone. I know that, to many people, it sounds pretty silly to get so upset over a loss of a CAT... but to the rest, well, you understand, and I thank you for that understanding and for your sympathies.

Sam was a great cat, and was a constant companion through a lot of life-related crap over the last 16 years. I found him as a tiny, malnourished, abandoned 8 week old kitten, scaveging trash behind a motel, trying to stay alive.

Brought him home, fed him well, and watched him become a gigantic, magnificant creature. He and I bonded, and every night I'd lie in bed, he'd jump up on the bed, curl up on my chest, and we'd watch various late night TV together (lately it was "The Daily Show" on Comedy Central--I think Sam liked Jon Stewart's voice).

I noticed him getting thinner over the last year, but chalked it up to him simply getting older and slowing down. The, I went to visit the 'rents over Xmas in New England. When I came home, Sam was limping, couldn't put any weight on his back right leg.

Took him to the vet, he had three tumors--right leg, chest, and chin. Probably metastatic bone cancer, they said.

Last Friday, he couldn't stand up without collapsing in exhaustion. I called the vet, asked if she could come over that night (I figured it was time, and made the very difficult decision to euthanize him). The vet said she'd be over around 6. I had to go to work, unfortunately, and got home around 4:00 or so...

... and Sam was on the floor, stretched out like he was sleeping. I called his name, no answer. Looked closer, saw he wasn't breathing.

Needless to say, I was sad... but a part of me HAD to almost laugh... this was a cat that ALWAYS did what HE wanted, HIS way, no other, his way or the highway. And, I had planned to bring the vet over in two hours... so he decided, his terms or not at all.

Earlier that day, before I left, I said goodbye, and, cheesy as it sounds, I said "if you can't hold on, don't. Let go if you have to." My family swears he understood my words, and knew I had given him permission to go. Judging from the condition I found him, he likely died about 2 hours later.

So, this started off as me saying thank you, and has somehow turned into my telling the whole freaking story of Sam's death... okay, enough.

Thanks everyone.

--Jefé The Hat

NYWOE

Tuesday, February 1, 2005 5:50 AM (P)

I'm sorry for what happened. I know how hard it would be for me if one of my animals died. But it sounds like you gave him a nice life for a long time with a good friend. That's all anyone can ask for. :)

TUDYKRAWKS

Tuesday, February 1, 2005 7:26 AM (P)

i'm very sorry to hear this. a cat that i had for 15 yrs recently had to be put to sleep, he also had a tumor. i hope u feel better soon.