Loss of my cat, Georgie

[silverkitties]

First of all, greeting to everyone, especially Reader, Missionblue, and all the folks who’ve engaged with me from 2015 as we wrote about our parents. I can’t believe it’s been 8 years! 
On Wednesday, May 17, my little Georgie was unexpectedly euthanized. I thought she was improving as she went downstairs that morning to eat her dry food; in fact, it truly cheered me up—until she started to yowl a few hours later. 
She had evidently lost mobility. 

To make a long story short, the vet suggested euthanization after we discussed Georgie’s options. She had just had her 15th birthday and surgery would require weekly changing of bandages and sedation. She had stage 3 kidney disease as well. How long would she last after the surgery, which would cost thousands not to mention all the other fees? And perhaps more importantly, would this weaken her in the process?

Needless to say, it was a horrible night—exacerbated by the fact that I had a lot of work to complete. I wound up sleeping in the family room with Georgie’s brother, Charlie because I couldn’t bear the thought of going upstairs to an empty room where I was usually greeted by her meows as she sat on one of my pillows. I thanked God I still had him but felt lonely nonetheless. That morning, I woke up, suddenly hearing the song, “How do I live without you?” (As you might know, the first line begins with “how do I get through the night without you?”)

Anyway, with vet bills I’ve run up this year, I’ve decided to write a short book on cat loss. Why? Because the overwhelming majority of books on pet loss feature dogs. Even the pamphlet from my vet featured only dogs—not one single cat pic! That’s why I’m writing this book. I’ve started a blog to get this going :

https://medium.com/@francesachiu/its-only-a-cat-grieving-the-loss-of-a-cat-486ce10b8023

https://medium.com/@francesachiu/losing-suzy-cat-loss-and-childhood-grief-548cd9f4795e

This book will discuss my experiences with cat loss and ways I’ve helped myself heal. But I’m also looking for contributions from anyone who’s lost a cat.

This is not to disregard anyone who’s lost a dog, rabbit, snake or other pet. I know ALL pet loss hurts tremendously. But I do feel for my cat folks who get told “it’s only a cat”—as if our losses didn’t matter. 
 

[KayC]

It's not "only just a..." ANYTHING if it's loved and even if they're not, they deserve to be.  I lost my Miss Mocha in 2016, and Arlie in 2019 and 25 1/2 year old Kitty in 2020.  Kodie was conceived when Arlie died and born on my birthday, I got him two months later. I didn't think I'd get another cat after Kitty, she was very special, but a year ago I adopted a feral cat I call Panther.  Him and Kodie adore each other!

 

 

[AJWCat]

I am so sorry for your loss. I've had 4 cats over my life. Lost the first 2 to lymphoma after they had long, good lives.

Lost my last one horribly, the worst loss I've ever had - broke my heart into a million pieces.

And I have one now.

So yeah I'd write for your book for sure. Sounds like a good project. 

[silverkitties]

Thank you, AJWCat! If you like, you can post right here.

[silverkitties]

I just posted 2 articles. One is on the rationale for a book on cat loss; the other is on my relationship with my 2nd cat, Taffy. 

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/modest-proposal-new-book-grieving-cats-frances-a-chiu-ph-d-?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios&utm_campaign=share_via

http://Taffy, the Queen Bess Torbie

[silverkitties]

I have new stories on my most devoted cat, Sir Fopling Flutter. My belief is that one should never be ashamed of grieving for a pet—especially the much derided cat. Our grief is the manifestation of our special bonds: the way we learned to love them and care for them. 

https://medium.com/@francesachiu/sir-fopling-flutter-d45360ae0326
 

https://medium.com/@francesachiu/sir-fopling-flutter-9df70be16bef

 

[KayC]

Thank you for sharing with us, your special cats.  Each beautiful and unique and I'm sure they remain treasures in your heart, even as mine do.