Our 18-year-old cat Speckles was put to sleep recently. The time seemed appropriate, because Speckles was deaf and crippled and was experiencing weight loss and neck weakness. Now, she is somewhere over the rainbow. I miss her.
However, I do not miss the kitty litter messes, middle of the night meowing, and vet bills. Last week, I took my first overnight outing in four decades without having to find a pet sitter or kennel. That’s quite a lot of Dr. Doolittle experiences with dogs, cats, guinea pig, fish, and a bull frog. These pets all enriched our lives. Sadly, Speckles is the last pet for me.
Three years ago, the vet told us our kitty would probably die within 18-months unless we did pricey intervention. Farm girl that I am I said, “I am sorry. Speckles will now be in hospice care. I certainly do not want her to suffer, but we are not going in for expensive treatments.”
The doctor did not like my answer and tried to make me understand death was imminent.
“Look,” I said. “If I had an extra $1000 I would give it to Compassion International.”
We settled on a compromise and started buying special thyroid food for our beloved feline. My husband took over the vet visits and experienced the guilt pressure I was up against. Fortunately, another vet was in the office and seemed more accepting of our decision.
Speckles Surprises Us
But our Speckles surprised us, and the vets, by living fairly comfortably all these months. The cat outlived her brother Sergeant Major, age 15; dog Cinnamon, age 13; dog Makenzie, age 7 (lymphoma); and guinea pig Little Dude, age 6.
One summer a few years back Speckles hissed and yowled over our summer visitor, “grand kitty” Vanna White. We loved that kitten, who played until she fell asleep in a sitting position. But Speckles was very happy when Vanna ended up being adopted by our daughter’s friend Benjamin Ingram. (By the way, he is one of the top champions of the game show Jeopardy, winning over $400,000 in 2013-14. Vanna is one highly favored cat!)
Unlike kitties, however, all human babies in our household were treated by Speckles with patience and friendship. She even had a front-row seat at one of our granddaughter’s birth on my carpet! See https://www.csboyll.com/the-baby-born-on-my-carpet/ for that story.
Like most felines, Speckles always wanted that neck massage, and she would put her paw on our hands to make her point. Her purring and her soft bunny-like fur were so therapeutic. Our furry companion watched TV with us, exercised with us, and hung out at our cook-outs. Pets are family, right?
There Has To Be a Last One
I have had domestic animals all my life except while attending college. And honestly I don’t know if I can go without a furry friend. But, there has to be a last pet. I’m grateful for the companionship and unique personalities of all those critters that traveled family life with us. We have our memories and pictures.
So, RIP dear Speckles. I have a feeling I’ll be seeing you and all those furry amigos again somewhere over the rainbow. Thank you for the gift of you.
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Speckles’ rainbow photo was taken last year by our cat sitter, Frank Carleton of Tranquility Pets. All other photos are by CSB.