Oh man, this was harder than I thought it would be.
Sophia had chronic kidney disease and a hyperthyroid issue and the two of them together did not play nicely. Despite watering and pilling and feeding her, she was wasting away even more so it was time to take her over the Rainbow Bridge.
I didn’t even write about it on Facebook (Horrors, I know!) because I couldn’t take a thread of sad. I was already pretty bummed about it myself and just couldn’t handle the sweet sympathy I knew I’d get.
And I want to send a special shout-out to The Gal and her kitty, Charlotte, for being so sweet and loving, holding us in her heart and thoughts throughout it all. Her messages warmed my own heart just when I needed it. Thank you, Gal. So, so much.
This beautiful Maine coon came to join our household in 2007 after her owner died. At that time, I had Lucie and Murphy and they were having no parts of a newcomer so we kept Sophie upstairs away from the other two cats. I was all for trying to get them all together but hissing and spazzing cats made Duty nervous. (ha!)
Murphy left us in May of 2008 so it was just Lucie and Sophie in the house. At that time, Duty was still traveling a lot for work and took off for England for a month. “Now’s my chance”, thought I and opened up the door (literally and figuratively) for the two to mingle. As I recall, it went pretty smoothly (for things like that) and when he came home, we were a two cat household both upstairs and down.
While the two kitties never adored each other (Lucie told a pet intuitive that Sophia called her “an old bag” and she wasn’t having any of that!), they did learn to make peace. When Lucie had a stroke and left us in September 2012, Sophie ascended the throne to Queen of the household (feline version).
She was just a great cat – rarely any litterbox issues, independent but fiercely loving. I’d wake up many nights to find her tucked under my chin purring her head off. (I called these my “3am lovies”.)
The last few weeks weren’t fun for anyone and I hated having to shove pills down her throat twice a day and stab her with a big needle every other day. She hated it and I did, too. All of it broke my heart because it felt like it was just futile. When she stopped eating no matter what I put down in front of her, and barely moved from the tiny little ball she had curled herself into, I knew it was time to let her go.
I am cat-free for the first time in 22 years. It feels weird. Godson of Love and Goofs is hella allergic to cats and has never been here. I think I’ll stay felineless for the summer so he and his fam can come enjoy the pool. By fall, it will be time to get another kitty, I’m thinking.
Peace out, Sophia. You were one-of-a-kind and in only the very best ways.
Oh my goodness. I am so sorry. We put our dog, Kobe, to sleep about a month ago. It’s hell and horrible.
Aw Lisa, I’m so sorry. Big hugs to you if it’s okay.
Your travails with Sophia so mirrored my tough months with Charlotte. Your sharing your issues with us made Charlotte and me feel a little less alone. There was a time when I was reading your Sophia FB status that Charlotte literally walked across the keyboard, as though she wanted to know what was up! Plus, after more than 15 years, Charlotte still hasn’t accepted my big old tomcat Joey (never mind that I had Joey first, Charlotte hasn’t accepted him), so there were many similarities.
Every pet in our care is special. There are things about Joey that are unique to him. And certainly Reynaldo is one of a kind. But there is just something about a girl cat who feels she’s running the house for you that is especially dear. So I know your loss must be enormous.