RIP Psyche
A few hours ago, we euthanized our twelve-year-old calico cat, Psyche. Cause of death: end-stage renal failure, severe anemia, and 22% weight loss. Our sweet girl had a gradual decline over the past several months, but the last few days were drastic. Her once thick, gorgeous fur coat became a tangled mess of mats, as she no longer groomed herself. Also missing was her full-throated motorboat purr, replaced by a weak cry. She had little interest in her morning wet food treat and completely declined her dry kibble.
Our veterinarian was empathetic and wholeheartedly agreed with our decision. She dispatched our girl over the rainbow bridge with two quick injections. Psyche will join our 19-year-old black cat, Betty Anne, who died on Halloween, our Shi Tzu, Haiku, who passed from lymphoma, and Phoenix, our first Labradoodle, a victim of a thoughtless hit and run. I envision them happily running and playing.
I reminisced about the tiny wild kitten, who on Christmas Day, jumped onto an end table and over a lit candle, catching herself on fire. We chased the blazing cat as she ran under sofas and beds, threatening to turn our home into a towering inferno. Fortunately, we captured the crazy cat, rolled her in a towel to extinguish the flames. The only damage was some singed abdominal hair, no skin burns, and no conflagration of our abode.
We’ll miss our sweet girl, but are glad she’ll no longer suffer.
Give your pets an extra hug tonight for me.