11 Years, 6 Months

[neadods]

Eleven years and six months. That's how long I had DB.

Not bad for a cat on his third owner.

I promised him no more moves, no more new owners, and I kept that promise faithfully. And he returned that faith with incredible devotion - not only did he come to me whenever I started crying, for the first year or so he refused to let M pet him in my sight, presumably for fear that I'd think he was disloyal. If she reached for him, he'd move away... but when I went to sleep, he'd go upstairs and soak up all the love she'd give him. After a while, when he realized that she would literally pet him for hours, he'd sit on the sofa letting her skritch his chin while staring at me with a "THIS is how it's supposed to go, you know" expression.

We noticed the tumor last night (and this in a cat who gets oral medicine twice a day, so it was very fast growing, although it may explain his sharp meows over the last couple of weeks as he got dosed.) It was confirmed as cancer early this afternoon. I was determined not to let his life be a horror to him -- I kept two of my ferrets too long and still feel guilty -- so this afternoon, as he purred in my arms and M stroked him, the vet used the port in his foreleg to let him slip away while I promised no more claw clippings, no more medicine, no more being hissed at by Kaylee or body-blocked by Mulder.

He was still warm behind the ear when I kissed him for the last time. His eyes were half open, and I swear, he looked just like he did when he was half asleep and looking over his little kingdom.



Contemplating an autumn leaf from the porch



Contemplating a very tiny intruder



Ignoring another tiny intruder. It took us a while to notice when Mulder was missing because we'd see DB out of the corner of an eye and assume it was Mulder. And I just had my first flash of Mulder trotting by and thinking it was DB and this was all a bad dream.



Poses like this were why Mother thought he was so dignified. She usually said this on the phone when he was lying on his back, legs everywhere and bare belly open to the breeze, with the ultimate sign of contentment... the last third of his tail looped over to touch itself.

Dignified is not quite the right word for that, really.



Mickey liked to sit on him...



...anywhere he was. When she was very little, she even tried to nurse on him.

DB had the patience of a saint.



Rocking his corner of the couch.



No matter who tried to usurp it.

DB lay with one leg out a lot. He slept that way too. It looked like he thought he'd fall if he let go.

Comments

[lagilman]

Sunlight and herring and cream forever, now, DB.

*mourns and hugs her own Orange Boy*

[neadods.livejournal.com]

Hug him hard for us.

[thanatos-kalos.livejournal.com]

::hugs:: I'm so sorry for your loss. Can I help at all?

[neadods.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I'm... calm at the moment.

[tamnonlinear.livejournal.com]

I am so sorry you have lost him. I am so glad he was so well loved and his life was so deeply appreciated.

Cancers in cats are almost always malignant, and so often fast. I think your decision was fine, though I'm sorry you had to make it. Poor boy. I'm glad you were with him for that last act of love, and to know what he needed at that time.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

This is going to sound really weird, but I'm relieved that it was something that demanded an immediate resolution. I've been waffling over how hard he found the thyroid medicine, but he could have gone for years on it and been more or less okay. This... this was cut and dried. I'm going to be crying for a while off and on, but I won't be second-guessing myself.

[jennetj.livejournal.com]

Oh, <>. He was such a sweet boy. And he had a good, long life, with lots of noms, comfy sleeping spots, and people who loved him.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

I think he was pretty satisfied with his life. I hope so!

When the vet first brought him to us to say goodbye, his tail was huge and he didn't want to be touched, just taken home.

But we petted him to the point that you could hear the purr, not just feel it, and he was kneading gently on my arm. It's the best we could give him, to let him know that he was still loved.

[lukadreaming.livejournal.com]

*Hugs*

[neadods.livejournal.com]

*hugs back*

[honorh.livejournal.com]

What a big, beautiful boy. I'm so sorry you had to lose your sweetheart this way, and I hope you find comfort in your memories of him.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

He gave me wonderful memories; I tried to give him a wonderful life in return.

Well... mostly wonderful memories. The time when he jumped on me in my sleep just when I was dreaming of Patrick Swayze saying "There's nothing I want more than to make love to you"... that night I maybe didn't love him quite as much as the rest of 'em.

[msp-hacker.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

[neadods.livejournal.com]

*hugs back*

[stlscape.livejournal.com]

I'm so, so sorry for the loss of your beautiful boy. I said goodbye to my beloved boy - cancer, too - a year ago tomorrow. He was the first one I was able to let go quickly, and the knowledge of that *has* been a comfort.

I wish there were something I could say to make this less painful to you, but I know there's not. All I can do is offer my heartfelt sympathies.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

He was the first one I was able to let go quickly, and the knowledge of that *has* been a comfort.

This? This is exactly what to say to make it less painful. Even though I know I did the right thing, occasionally I need to hear it from someone else.

[calliopes_pen]

*hugs you*

[neadods.livejournal.com]

*hugs back*

[jigglykat.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry, hon.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

So am I, but I take what comfort I can in doing everything I could.

[silmaril.livejournal.com]

Go in peace, DB. *hugs*

[neadods.livejournal.com]

He went with love, purring. That's the best I think we could have hoped for.

[dark-aegis.livejournal.com]

*hugs* What a beautiful kitty. I'm so sorry for your loss.

[nonelvis]

I'm so sorry. It's so hard saying goodbye to a beloved pet, even if you know you're making the right decision for them. You obviously cared for DB very well, and loved him a lot.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

He was my first cat in my new home. It was just the two of us for a long time - it's quite a bond.

[redaxe.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry for your loss. He sounds like an awesome boy, totally deserving of your kept promise.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

He was a wonderful cat. Patient and adoring... but also aware of his due. Even as I type, I wait for that head to bonk me in the shoulder, pointing out that I should be putting my hands on *him,* not the keyboard.

[faireraven.livejournal.com]

Oh sweetie, I'm so sorry. It's so hard to say goodbye, even when you know you must and that it's the right thing to do for them. When we had to let Vivian go, we knew it was the right thing to do for her, and we knew that holding on to her would be for our sake, not hers. You needed to do what DB needed you to do, and take comfort in the knowledge that he passed knowing he was loved and adored.

I'm so sorry. *HUGS*

[neadods.livejournal.com]

*hugs back tight*

[queenmaggie.livejournal.com]

Blessings that it was an easy passing and easily decided...I'm looking at my own (canine) boyo right now, and knowing that it's gonna be soon. I'm sorry.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

I don't know about easily decided, but it was a very easy passing. As "good" as these things can be.

[starmalachite.livejournal.com]

I'm so, so sorry. Know that you gave him a wonderful life, & the best ending he could have had.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[beledibabe.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry, hon.

::hugs::

[neadods.livejournal.com]

*hugs back* He was a wonderful boy.

[karenmiller.livejournal.com]

Very sorry to hear this. I said good bye to Daphne a few weeks ago, and now Harley (icon) is in early stage renal failure. He's 21. I am cherishing him like nobody's business while he's still with me.

Feel better soon.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'm so sorry for your loss in Daphne, and Harley's illness. Give him a cuddle for me!

[isabeau.livejournal.com]

Aw, hell. *hugs you hard* I'm so sorry.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

*hugs back*

[melusinehr.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry. It sounds like he was lucky in his final owner, in every way possible.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

I still can't believe that two separate people could give up such a wonderful, peaceful, loving cat.

[themis1.livejournal.com]

Sorry for your loss. Cats give and receive so much love in the short time they share with us, every moment is one to cherish.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

With the possible exception of his interrupting a very lovely dream (described upthread) - I loved just about every minute. He was so wonderful.

[j00j.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

[neadods.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[fandance.livejournal.com]

So sorry to hear the news today. But really Nea, you gave him a loving home and wonderful care, all the way up to and including his last moments.

Somewhere in cat heaven, he's licking a saucer of cream in honor of you

[neadods.livejournal.com]

Probably ice cream. Last night he let Gytha bully him away from the last of the ice cream, and he did love it so!

[fourzoas.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry to hear of DB's passing; what a special kitty and a good friend. *hugs*

[neadods.livejournal.com]

Thank you.