Friday Cat Blogging
Dot April, 1998 – December, 2011
My first picture of her on the blog, and the best picture of her large golden eyes and pink nose, which were often the first things I saw in the morning.
She and Sox were born under the first house I rented after returning, and after a failed adoption attempt of six-months, they came to live with Koshka and me.
She would only really tolerate anyone except her brother when it was cold, and the extra heat was welcome.
Even then, she made sure they understood who was the alpha cat.
She was the cat who was most often in my lap at the computer …
Or, lying on the floor next to my chair.
She was also the one who started the trend of shutting her eyes when I took a picture.
She caught colds more often than the other cats, and hated the carrier and going to the vet. As with most older cats, she had started to lose weight and then to not eat. I knew it was bad when she didn’t start an undercoat this year as things got cool.
She finally became uncoordinated and couldn’t get to the places she wanted to be. I created steps to her favorite locations, but she would try to leap over them. On one of those leaps she injured herself. It was time. I had been putting it off, but it was time.
She will be missed, as she was the background noise in the house, the only one of the cats who was vocal.
12 comments
My condolences. 13 years… not all that long for a cat, but then no two cats are the same so. My guys are getting older now and it’s definitely on my mind what I need to watch for when it’s time. Especially since they’re both quite good at disappearing into Cat Space when they feel like being alone. At least Dot had someone to help her leave with dignity, which far too many cats like the ferals outside your doorway don’t have :(.
So sorry, Bryan. There are no words.
Sorry. Years can go by before you know it, yes? After my two 18-year olds were gone, it was quite a while before I stopped seeing them out ot the corner of my eye.
I’m sorry to hear of her passing Bryan. I don’t think I’ve seen such amazing eyes on a cat
I’m so sorry to hear. I don’t know why today is the day, but we lost our dear, old Coby this morning as well. Perhaps they met in passing on the way out of our world.
My hugs.
We are saddened to hear that Dot has passed.
She will always be part of the Friday Ark Family…once sailed, always sailing.
I am so very sorry, Bryan. Some cats become our best friends, and Dot was that to you. My deepest condolences.
Loss of coordination is a sure sign. I remember when Stella’s Tabitha got to the point of staggering across the floor, and when she could no longer get into the litter box. Stella was reluctant, but eventually I persuaded her that it was time, and Tabitha was telling her so herself. Stella has never quite forgiven me, but you are right, there comes a time when it is the only kind thing to do.
My heart goes out to you, Bryan. And to you Lab Kat.
oh bryan, i’m so sorry.
First off, thank you all for your kind thoughts. It wasn’t sudden and we said our good-byes. She had several bad respiratory infections, and never really regained her strength after the last one. Finding things she would eat was often a struggle, but the deciding issue was the thought of her lying in pain while I was gone because she had made a bad jump. She had seriously injured a front leg, but refused to let it heal. She was stubborn to the end.
I am truly sorry about Coby, LK. He was beautiful Russian Blue, but then, ‘blues’ are special. Perhaps it is the onset of the cold that signals that it is time to leave.
Badtux, the ferals have individual ‘secret’ hiding places that they retreat to when they are injured, or having kittens. That’s where Molly went when she decided it was time. Unless they are too injured to move. they simply disappear.
Yes, Jams, her eyes were her most outstanding feature, which is why I found her ability to anticipate the shutter on my current camera so frustrating. In the picture she is literally in my face, closer than the camera could focus.
Yes, PJ, after so long you will expect to see them, even though you know they are gone.
The thoughts are more important than the words, Anya, and always are.
Thanks, Steve. She was fascinated with the pictures of other cats on the screen, and the Ark provided both of us with hours of enjoyment.
Thank you, Rook, and congratulations on your new job.
I appreciate it, Hipparchia, and it is a good reason to have more than one ‘furry friend’.
You don’t want to do it too soon, Steve, but they will tell you when it is time. Going back to Molly, she was getting better, but decided she didn’t want to continue in her disabled state. Cats have their own form of dignity, and you have to accept their decision. My last picture of Dot, by the front door, next to her brother was at a distance, so people wouldn’t see her at less than her best. She was the alpha, and didn’t want to be anything else.
Again, thank you all for your condolences.
I was sorry to read of Dot’s passing, but it sounds like she was ready. You gave her a good life, and a great seat for computer watching. Those pictures are terrific.
Thank you, OWL.