When my husband I and were newlyweds 14 years ago we were at the markets in Brisbane and saw this very very tiny tabby kitten being kept in a bird cage. He was only $10 so we brought him home and named him Guido.
He was always a scaredy cat. The only place he wanted to be was on my lap or down the back of the couch.
One day in the first year we had him, he got hit by a car. DH took him to the vet and got him fixed up. Guido's jaw was broken in 3 places. He had to have a feeding tube for weeks and when his mouth healed it remained crooked. He had an underbite -- his bottom fangs stuck up over his top lip! After the accident, Guido was even more attached to me, and would choose a cuddle over anything else, including eating.
We have had other cats over the years -- Misty, Pumpkin and Lizzie -- all terrors who had ended up being adopted by others when we've moved from a house to a unit or from one city to another. We never gave Guido away because frankly only his mother could love him [me].
He was never very good at cleaning himself and was always a little smelly. He suffered the indignity of being bathed every weekend in the tub in the laundry without even complaining.
Guido has not been well for awhile. His mouth has been ulcerated and when one sore healed he has got quickly got another one. Our friend who is a vet said he was just old but unless he was in pain [he didn't appear to be -- I used to wash his sores every day and he never reacted like it was painful (yuk I know)] that we should just make him comfortable in his last years [or get all his teeth pulled out which sounded way to traumatic for such an old fella].
This morning when I went to let Guido in he couldn't walk. His back legs were paralyzed. He was a dear old cat that had had a wonderful life. We took him to the vet to be put down.
Farewell Guido -- I love you. You were part of our family for 14 years.
I can't stop crying ...
Ooooh my gosh. I'm so sorry! Guido is so lucky he had such a loving home for so many years. I hope he's in kitty heaven right now looking down on you.
ReplyDeleteOh that sounds very much like what happenned to my cat Benny that I had since I was a kid. We had to put him down too a few years ago now, he was pretty old.
ReplyDeleteAll the best.
xxx
Oh Katie I am so sorry... your thread hit a nerve for me... we had to do the same over a year ago to our baby Poppy, her kidneys had failed her and she was really ill.... doing that is the most traumatic thing that I have ever been through...I know how you are feeling.... thinking of you!!
ReplyDeleteSue xxxxxx
I'm so sorry Katie. You are in my prayers as you deal with the loss of your darling baby.
ReplyDeleteAwww sorry to hear about Guido, you did the best you could for him .... now... is there a Harbour Cruise that takes you to the Opera House! We were thinking of doing a harbour cruise that would take us to the Zoo and a few other places, one that you can get on and off during the day??? If there is we can meet up at the Opera Bar, where ever that is! on the Friday sometime...??? What do you think? We are staying at the Pensione Hotel, 635 George Street, should get in there around 9 on the Friday morning I think.
ReplyDeleteoh my goodness, thats so sad.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't believe how much grief I felt when I had to put my little spaniel down after having him for 14 years.
I know that you will be feeling sad and unfortunately theres not much anyone can say to make you feel better.
It sounds like you gave him the best life he could have had, as only someone who loves a pet makes sure they are so well looked after, (baths, cuddles etc)so I hope you take comfort in knowing that he had a life where he was truely loved.
Ahhhh Hugs to you Katie....
ReplyDeletepets are so giving of themselves---unconditional love....and it looks like he was as deeply loved in return...