Goodnight, Misty.
10 Jul
Last night, my Misty-meow cat died at the age of 15.
My beautiful girl, 2007
You have to know this is going to be sad, right? If you can’t hack (and that’s cool, I don’t see movies with unhappy endings) come back in a few days for the return to happy blogging (I hope). Otherwise, click to continue.
It happened so fast. A few days ago we saw that she had lost weight. On Wednesday, she got a goopy eye. She always got goopy eyes, but got over them in a day or two. Thursday night she started to wobble when she walked and the goopy eye morphed into something red and horrible. On Friday morning she was wobbling worse, so when the vet office opened I made an a vet appointment for 6:15 that evening. At lunchtime, she had difficulty staying standing. After lunch, WM had to help her out of the litter box. Her face was thin and drawn. By then we knew that she wasn’t long for the world.
Our vet confirmed our suspicions. Misty had a large mass in her stomach (why did I never feel this?) that spread to her face (what we thought was a goopy eye was something worse) and at that point her suggestion would be to put her down. This cat never ever complained. I don’t get that. I wish she had moaned a bit a few months ago. Then we may be in a different situation today.
So we made the horrible choice. I hate that choice. Some people have pets that just die at home. No waiting, no “choice.” I’m sure it’s absolutely horrific to find a dead pet in the middle of your floor or on your bed. But I’m looking at it from the other direction. It’s my lot in life to be the perpetual plug-puller. But one good thing that I can take from this is until we took her to the vet tonight, she was in her home that she loved. Mickey and Noelle spent their last days in vet cages with needles and tubes. I think Misty was luckier that way.
The procedure was quick. She was gone in the first few seconds. Unlike when I chickened out for Mickey and Noelle, this time I stayed right at Misty’s head…kissing her velvety ears and whispering goodnight. I must be stronger now than I used to be.
Her eyes never closed. Misty had the prettiest green eyes I’ve ever seen on a cat, and it’s horribly unfair that on her last day, one eye was angry red and blind.
AKA Misty-meow, Meowth, Lolth, Little Black Raincloud
Fifteen years is a long time. Realize that when I brought Misty home, I wasn’t even married yet and the “home” was actually Mom’s home where we hung out in my teenhood bedroom. Misty moved three times with me and sat by my side through some pretty tough moments. Sure, she’d stare at me angrily about some perceived slight, but company’s company, you know?
The thing I’ll remember most about Misty is her voice. Oh my gosh could that cat holler. Kitten Misty meowed the moment I put her in the car to take her home that first night and continued meowing for fifteen years. She’d never actually meow, but instead would let out a screechy “Myaaah” sound. Over and over. “Myaaaa. AAAAAA. Myaaa-aa-aaa.” Sometimes she’d open her mouth to meow, and no sound ever came out. Those we called silent meows.
Tonight she only meowed once, when we put her carrier in the car. She silent meowed when the tech took her temperature (wouldn’t you?). That made us laugh in spite of the situation.
She’s always been on the grumpy and unpleasant side so for years I called her my little black raincloud, like the Pooh song:
I’m just a little black rain cloud,
Hovering under the honey tree.
I’m only a little black rain cloud,
Pay no attention to me.
Oh, everyone knows that a rain cloud,
Never eats honey, no, not a nip.
I’m just floating around, over the ground,
Wondering where I will drip.
Misty always had a spot where she’d lay. She’d stay in that spot for months and months, but once you got used to her being there, she’d move. When we moved into the dee-luxe apartment in the sky, she chose the bedroom. She’d switch every few months from the floor to the bed and back again. This spring, she joined the rest of us in the living room and decided to hang by the bookcase. Weird, but I’m glad she did. I wonder if she knew she was nearing her end?
in ur face
There’s not much more to add to this huge rambling post other than I’m currently sobbing my heart out and I guess it’s good that she kept switching her spots because I don’t expect to see her in one spot. Then again, it’s bad because I expect to see her everywhere.
Having been in this same situation last Friday, I don’t think I need to tell you how much I feel for you during this difficult time.
I’m so sorry for loss, Kim.
Dave´s last [type] ..Tottaly
Sorry for your loss. We lost our pet Bearded Collie 3 years ago, and it seemed almost like losing a child. It took about 2 months to get over it. You try to say that they are not suffering any more, but it still hurts the ones they left behind. Enjoy the pets while they are in your life, they are somehow more perfect life forms than humans.
I have tears streaming down my face. I am so, so sorry, Kim! I know it hurts so much and I wish I could do something about that. That’s a horrible choice to make; I wish she could have just gone quietly in her sleep and you could have petted her and whispered goodbye.
She was such a sweetheart; you can see that in every picture. And I remember all your stories about her!
Sending hugs…
/hugs
Brian´s last [type] ..Summertime- Television- -amp Kids
Sorry to hear about your loss. Sounds like she had a lot of personality (as cats usually do). Goodbye, Little Black Rain Cloud. *hugs*
I’m so sorry.
Stephanie´s last [type] ..Dear Internet- Its not you- its me
I am so so sorry for your loss. What a wonderful memory post though. Such life.
Our sweet Sherekhan died on July 10th. He was 18 years old. I know how you feel and I am so sorry for your loss.
It’s really hard and some moments are better than others.
In case you are wondering who this stranger is, we have a mutual friend…yep Pero sent me here.
She is very pretty and now she is even more beautiful. (hugs)
Email me anytime if you feel like “talking”
Extending my condolences again. I am so very sorry.
@everyone: If I could hug you all, I would. Thank you.