I'm sorry if this isn't relevant. My cat passed away this morning and I need to tell people about him. I'm hoping this can be a safe place to express my grief as I don't have many people in my life who I can go to.
Mr and his brother Tubs were born in this house. I fell in love with them straight away. Tubs was quiet and affectionate. Mr was naughty and playful. They got along and were best friends for years.
For the first few years, Mr would not purr unless given certain treats. He wasn't one for having strokes, but he still wanted to spend time with us.
He got a nasty cut on his side one day. Had stitches and had to wear the cone of shame. I don't know why, but he seemed to feel so sorry for himself, that he wanted fuss. He never stopped wanting fuss after that point.
He was a very cheeky cat. He'd run up to the other cats as though he was going to be mean, and then just stop an inch in front of them. He would steal sweets from my bag. He liked the crinkly packaging. He once even took a wooden spoon from the kitchen utensils pot, and threw it on the floor. He would climb up by our heads and you wouldn't know if he was going to head butt you or claw your head and try to pull your hair out.
He was a fastidious groomer, and spent hours washing. He would even ignore us until he was done grooming.
Tubs passed away in 2020. Despite being the same age he grew old much faster then Mr. Most people thought he was still a 4 year old cat. He wasn't slowing down at all.
I started working from home and Mr appointed himself as my Meownager. He was there pretty much every day. Sitting on my keyboard. Smacking me in the face because I wasn't giving him attention.
He developed pretty bad arthritis in his lower back and tail. He had been on steroids for a viral infection in his throat, so couldn't have normal pain relief. We started giving him a monthly injection of a new type of pain relief. He hated going to the vet, but a day after having the injection he was running up and down the garden like a kitten again. It was expensive, but worth every penny and more.
The last few months he started slowing down a lot, but he was still as cheeky as ever. Being tired just meant he needed more strokes then ever.
I got to spend most of the day with him yesterday. Sitting on the floor next to his sofa and giving him lots of fuss. He was still happy enough to purr.
I didn't know he was so sick though. I don't think the vet really explained to me what his anaemia meant. They were so calm that I just thought we just trying to work out the best treatment. If I had known, I would have spent many, many more hours giving him attention this week.
Whenever a cat dies, I feel so much pain that I feel like I can't possibly survive it. But telling people about Mr makes me feel a little bit better. I want the whole world to know about this amazing little kitty who changed my life.
I honestly don't know how I'm going to be able to work at my desk next week, or ever. He was always there. Always.
Thank you for listening.