Sadly Cleo our cat died today; she was 18 years old. She joined our family when my two girls were still small, and she was only about 5 weeks old... too young to leave her mother really, but we were told that she was an unwanted farm kitten that was going to be 'disposed of'... how could they? She was so tiny and scared, but she gradually learned to trust us and love us.
I think that she lacked any human social contact in her first few weeks of life and that left her very wary of strangers; she also hated to be picked up and would only tolerate so much of being petted before batting your hand away, but at the same time she enjoyed being around our immediate family and liked our company and a warm lap to snuggle into. She actually got much more affectionate during the last year of her life which was nice for all of us.
She was a healthy cat, who never suffered through any illnesses or injuries. Her social phobias meant that trips to the vet were truly an ordeal for her; her last regular visit to the vet was about 6 years ago when I took her for her annual booster, but she was shaking so badly, and was so scared that she was actually panting. I made the decision then not to take her annually to the vet any more, she was 12 years old, had always been healthy and I didn't want to put her through it again. Thankfully I've never had to regret that decision and apart from going deaf about 3 years ago, she's kept the flu and other diseases at bay. The last couple of years had seen her gradually slowing down, and getting thinner, but she did ok until suddenly she deteriorated very quickly and seemed very weak and was stuggling to walk on her back legs and so an appointment was made to take her to the vets. She died about an hour before she was due to go... to be honest I am so glad that her last moments were at home and not in her cat box or the vet's surgery which she always found so distressing.
Anyway, the reason I am posting is that I just wanted to recognise, and celebrate really, her life on my blog; as I said she had a long, happy and healthy life and she loved and was loved very much, so all in all she was a very lucky cat! She was part of our family for 18 years and we will all miss her. God bless you Cleo xxx
xx
I am sorry for your family's loss. 9 years ago we lost our cat Fitzers, one month before his 21st birthday. It is really like losing a family member. We have Shiner and she is 13 and getting the "old lady" stiff walk LOL. I can't imagine a home without a cat :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear this. I love my furbabies too, so I know how much you will miss your beautiful Cleo. Clearly, the time you had with her was a great blessing. ~tina
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your cat,I went thru this with my Italian Greyhound Dog and It was and still hard for us.But we had very good memories I bit you do too and that's what you need to keep in you heart.Take care sweetheart !
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about poor Cleo. A very sad day for you. She was obviously an important member of your family. It is so upsetting when a pet dies, but you can take comfort from the fact that she had a lovely life with you and died at a good old age. x
ReplyDeleteOh, how sad. I lost both of my cats in 15 months. They were brothers and 16 years old.
ReplyDeleteTake care.
Groetjes, Monique
Oh I'm so sorry to hear. Our pets are like our family, and when we lose them, it's no different than mourning for a family member. I am glad she had a lovely family to love her :)
ReplyDeleteMy sincere empathy.
ReplyDeleteSo sweet, Miss Chloe. I know she is enjoying playing in the grass with other felines who have crossed the Rainbow Bridge. I also know she will be waiting for all of you, when your time comes, and wonder what took you so long to join her.
ReplyDelete¡Qué linda historia! Aunque triste a la vez. Amo los animales, especialmente los gatos y entiendo perfectamemente la pena que les embarga. Ellos nos llenan la vida y nos enseñan muchísimo. Fortaleza!!!
ReplyDeleteSaludos desde Chile.
I'm so sorry for the loss of your little companion. Wishing her a gentle journey.
ReplyDeleteI am really sorry, it is such a sad time. I lost my Cleo, also 18, two years ago.
ReplyDeleteThinking of you xx
I am really sorry to hear about a loss of a family member.
ReplyDeleteSending ((((HUGS))))
Luv Jane XX
hello I'm a new follower to your blog.
ReplyDeleteI am so very sorry to hear about your cat. In fact its upset me a bit because my cat Willie is 18 years old too and I am seeing the symptoms you have mentioned..being very thin and wobbly and his back legs fail him sometimes. I think what you have said here confirms what we've been thinking ...that it won't be long. I do so very hope he'll go like your Cleo at home with us. I don't want to take him to the vet he is terrified of the vet! Sincerely sorry for the sad moments you are your family going through.
Amanda :-)
at Crafty in the Med
Hi Karen
DeleteThanks for your comments on my blog.
Look forward to exploring your blog and admiring all those gorgeous colourful crochet makes I can see in the photos but not tonight.....sitting back from the blog a bit. Tomorrow will be another day :-)
Keep well
Amanda :-)
at Crafty in the Med
Sorry to read about the loss of your beloved Cleo. Sending you a comforting ((hug)). <3
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for your loss. Our old cats both died a few years ago - its very upsetting xxxx
ReplyDelete(((hugs)))
She was a beautiful cat. I am so sorry for your loss. We love our pets because they are a part of our family and it really hurts when they go. I think you did the right thing for your beautiful Cleo.
ReplyDeleteLosing any pet is always soooo hard! Sending you sympathies and hugs for your loss. What an adorable baby! I have a dog with very similar phobias that I attribute to a lack of human interaction during her puppy phase. She's very dedicated to me - but has NEVER gotten used to my husband or daughter. I know they wouldn't mind if I were to get rid of her, but I could never do that to her. I made a commitment to her when I bought her - and with me she shall stay until she goes back to be with her Maker. More hugs, Annette
ReplyDeleteOh honey, I'm so sorry to hear about Cleo. It sounds as if she had a lovely life with you and a good long one too. It's always something we dread as pet owners isn't it. So it is with tears in my eyes that I write this - I can imagine how you are feeling. It is lovely to know that she was at home and not at the scary vet at the end. Take care.
ReplyDeleteLeah
x
I'm so sorry to hear about Cleo. She lived a good long life, I can tell by your words. We lost our dog of 11 years last month. I'm still grieving. All we can do is give them love, and think of them fondly. I wish you peace.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear that you lost your dear kittie. My cat, Jerry, was nineteen when we lost him a few years ago. Like yours, he just seemed 'old' but ok, until a week or two before the end. My developmentally delayed daughter could not remember a time without him...so hard. We just adopted a older rescue cat...the old ones need a home, too, and since I'm a bit of an old one myself these days, it just made sense.
ReplyDeleteAll the best...
I'm sorry to read that you lost your dear Cleo.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless you!
I so sorry for your loss. Cleo is a beauty and was so fortunate to find a loving home and family to accept her little quirks. My thoughts are with you as I am sure you are all feeling a bit lost.
ReplyDeleteMeredith
I am sooo sorry to hear about Cleo. He was a delightful cat. I know its very hard to loose a family member like Cleo ill be keeping you in my thoughts and hope your celebration elevates some of the pain.
ReplyDelete~Tammy
Sending ((hugs)) to you and your family for your loss. What a blessings she was to your family and indeed you all were to her as well.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful baby. She had a long wonderful life with you. 18 years is amazing for a kitty. I'm sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about your lovely Cleo. Pets really do become part of a family don't they? I like your idea of celebrating her life. Our cat was 21 when she died and like you I took the decision not to take her to the vet's for the boosters because she found it so distressing. She lived to a good old age without ever having one booster!
ReplyDeleteLovely photos and you know she was loved and had a lovely life.
x
Thank goodness she found you and your family. I had a Cleo and she was black and white too. I am so sorry to read this but once again its so good she had you.
ReplyDeletelove Susan
Sounds like Miss Cleo had a happy life. It's never easy, is it??!! Thinking of you & your family . . .
ReplyDeleteGreat Sympathy to you and your family. So hard to lose a loved one that was around for such a long time.
ReplyDeleteMy sympathy on the loss of Cleo.
ReplyDeleteI had to put down my cat Jessie on May 8, so I know what you are going through. Sending you big hugs.
What a beautiful post to a clearly much loved companion,, so God bless also Cleo.
ReplyDeletehow sad for you all. Death of a pet brings such a wave of unexpected depths of grief. It is a good thing she died with you at home, and not at the vets, as you say. You really did all the right things by her. x
ReplyDeleteMy heart goes out to you. It is huge source of grief to loose such a loved pet.
ReplyDeleteI lost my 18 and 19 year olds over the last year - they were 5 weeks old when I got them too.
She was obviously well loved and cared for her whole life - it's a small comfort but you made her life very happy.
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