Kitty heaven for Jake

[susandennis]

This morning there was poop all over the bathroom floor and he could not get out of his hidey hole.  I had laid down a pillowcase to really collect cat hair more than anything else so I was able to get him out fairly easily but once out, I saw we were at the end.  He couldn't move well at all and didn't even want to try much.  He really couldn't seen to stay awake. 

We have this great vet not far from here that I had been to once before.  He does not take appointments.  First come, first served.  So that's where I took Jake.  The doctor said that he could run tests and hydrate him but...  He was so kind.  I asked him what he would do and he gently told me "I'd let him go.."  So I did.

He was nearly gone anyway so it didn't take much.  They gave him a shot and I held him and soon he was in kitty heaven.  

I wish humans were offered the same graceful end.

A friend found Jake near my condo in California when he was a baby.  It was 1989.  I had Bubba who was a 5 year old alpha cat.  Jake actually happily played second fiddle his whole life.  When Bubba died, we got Pizza who was a tiny and sweet dictator who used to tease Jake unmercifully.  When Pizza died we got Betty who pretended to not pay him any attention but nearly always let him have his way so he did go out as kind of Top Cat.

I'll miss his quiet constant ways.  He was a wonderful cat.

Betty, on the other hand?  She is hot to paaartay!  Seriously, I came back from the vet and she was waiting at the front door and has been rubbing up against me and hopping up on this desk - which I have never seen her do before.  Now she's gone to scratching her post.  Now she's back.  She's cracking me up.  Talk about dancing on a grave!

Now she's resting on the back of the chaise so she can watch me work.  And, fortunately, I have easy stuff and lots of it in my bug queue today. 

Comments

[canuckgirl.livejournal.com]

*sniff* *hug* :)

[taniwhanui.livejournal.com]

Sorry to hear about Jake. I'm glad he passed peacefully.

Hugs

[legalmoose]

Sorry to hear that, Susan.

[rsc.livejournal.com]

Condolences on your loss. Yet another member of your family that I felt as if I knew. It's never easy, even when you know it's time.

I'm guessing Betty is actually a little freaked out about suddenly being the only cat in the place, and is demanding attention as a way of getting comfort.

[cinenaut.livejournal.com]

I, too, am sorry to hear about Jake. He had a wonderful life.

[pisceandreamer.livejournal.com]

I'm so very sorry about Jake - he was very lucky to have you.

*hugs*

. . .

[s00zi.livejournal.com]

=(

[geordie.livejournal.com]

Ah. If only we could all take such a graceful exit.

Still, I'm sorry he's gone.

[seattlejo.livejournal.com]

Sounds like he went very peacefully instead of suffering.

I'll be thinking of you today.

[jawnbc]

:(

[howeird]

Sad news, I'm very sorry. I'm sure you did the right thing. As for Betty, she's trying to comfort you.

[aellia.livejournal.com]

Hugs to you and Betty
xx

[quirkstreet.livejournal.com]

Sorry to hear the news. :(

[nitemirror.livejournal.com]

My sympathies.

[joyoflj.livejournal.com]

So sorry to learn Jake is gone. He had a great life, thanks to you.

[roadskoller.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry. That's so hard when we've had them so long.

[angelamermaid.livejournal.com]

Sorry for your loss. I'm glad he had a graceful end and didn't suffer for long.

[katbyte.livejournal.com]

I am so sorry.

I'm so sorry to hear about Jake

[vixter.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed hearing about him. And seeing the pictures.

[saveferris.livejournal.com]

May Jake rest in peace.

Betty is in mourning, too. In her way. I suspect she's putting on the brave, happy face to help keep your spirits up.

Cats are cool like that.

[joyce.livejournal.com]

Wow. He had a long life for a cat, and I'm sure it was a happy one.

[itgeek.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry. I'm sure he was no less a family member for having four paws and a tail.

[barefoot-dyke.livejournal.com]

:( ....

[lordjim.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry about Jake. He seemed to have a great life with you.

[pinkfish.livejournal.com]

You have shared a precious life with Jake that you can treasure for ever.

[machupicchu.livejournal.com]

.
.
As you well know, I've been there -- Batty was born the same year Jake was, it looks like (1989). But it is always best to let them go if their only other option is to suffer.

Honestly, I'm impressed by how gracefully you handled it.
.
.

[(Anonymous)]

.
.
As you well know, I've been there -- Batty was born the same year Jake was, it looks like (1989). But it is always best to let them go if their only other option is to suffer.

Honestly, I'm impressed by how gracefully you handled it.
.
.

[vasilatos]

Oh Susan, I'm glad Jake had such a good caregiver. I bet he's eating tuna in cat heaven as we speak.

[lilliane.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry, but I'm glad that he didn't suffer. You take care.

[fredli.livejournal.com]

It seems good you could see this coming. There was no shock.

[dizzdvl.livejournal.com]

Well, I know you probably know how sad I am for you. I'm all sniffy for Jake, but seeing how Betty is makes me smile.

But I am really sorry.

[slinkr.livejournal.com]

It's always hard, but it sounds like you did the right thing not putting him through any drastic medical stuff.

[keelamonster.livejournal.com]

Poor Jake. I feel honored that I got to meet him. You're right, it would be wonderful if humans were given the same grace and dignity when it's time to go.

Let Betty know that Ella walks around her bedroom now, yelling her name and looking for her. Talk about true love.

[kyrielle]

I am so sorry that it came to this. I am glad he got to go peacefully.

[teasdale.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry, Susan. Having recently going through the same thing, I know how you feel. There is a sadness and yet a sense of relief, too, that he isn't suffering. I know you'll miss him. I will, too.

~rest peacefully, Jake ♥

[sea-weed.livejournal.com]

So sorry he's no longer there, but glad too that he isn't suffering anymore. I'm sure there's lots of good stuff for him in kitty heaven.

[photoholic62.livejournal.com]

Awww, so sorry to hear this. You and Betty hug each other up good now, I'm sure you both need it....

[nt.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry to hear about Jake, Susan.

[fj.livejournal.com]

Goodnight Jake.

[estis.livejournal.com]

Sorry to hear about Jake's passing.

[letmesaythis.livejournal.com]

Jake was one lucky kitty to have you as his human; he had a long, happy life but I'm still sorry he's gone.

[dlanor.livejournal.com]

I am sorry for the loss of Jake. I am sure you gave him all the best...

[minimac.livejournal.com]

Awwww...so sorry to hear this.. take comfort in knowing that he had a wonderful home and Mom.