9 thoughts on “September 7, 2023: Fantasy Island”

  1. Today we have to say goodbye to our “oops” cat. We took Charlie in as a temporary foster when he was a leggy, scrawny kitten a dozen years ago. We don’t know much about his background before he came to us, but he was attention-starved and must not have had much interaction with other cats. Wally, then ten-ish months old, took him under his paw and showed him the ropes. They got along well together, so when Charlie went unclaimed, we kept him. He grew into a sweet galoot, nearly 18 pounds at times, with an easy purr that sounds like a dump truck idling out in the street. His gallop down the hallway at feeding times, belly shimmying beneath him, never failed to provoke amusement. He was pretty athletic for a big cat, able to defy gravity with surprising skill (when he put effort into it), but never failed to sound like a bowling ball falling from a bookshelf when he jumped down to the floor.

    We had been treating Charlie for a recurrence of pancreatitis that seemed to grow worse over the holiday weekend. On Tuesday, a visit to the vet revealed two large masses on his lungs. We arranged for a vet to come to our house after school today to release him from his suffering.

    The best part about Charlie will also be the part that breaks my heart: his affection for the Poissonnière. For years, Charlie has come directly from his nighttime meal to curl up at her feet at bedtime, staying until she’s asleep (and sometimes hours longer). She is Charlie’s favorite person, and he is her buddy. The Poissonnière said she doesn't want to be in the room when it happens, which I understood. She's not old enough to fully understand why it's important for her that she's there, but I'm thankful she trusted the explanation we gave her for why it's important for Charlie that we're all there with him. He will be the first pet she loses. If you can, send some good thoughts her way today.

    1. Aw, man. Sorry, Wyl.

      Our kids were quite a bit older when we had to put Leo down. That's rough. Best wishes.

    2. Sorry to hear about your loss, that's a hard time to go through. Cats are lot more affectionate and bonded to us than popular culture would have us believe.

      1. Oh, indeed. They’re also assholes. Bacon thee cat is super affectionate and also the destroyer of duvets, shredder of sheets, clawer of carpets, and first of her name.

        Totally love that she watches* over us as we sleep.

        *I know she’s just waiting until I stop “breathing” so that she can eat my face.

    3. Thanks, folks. Charlie went peacefully. The Poissonnière stayed with him through it all, despite how much it clearly hurt. The vet made a clay pressing of his paw print, which the Poissonnière will keep with a clipping of his fur. I’m so fiercely proud of her, and yesterday just strengthened my admiration for her blend of kindness and resolve.

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