I just lost one of my cats, Jeoffry, tonight.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

It was very sudden - aortic thromboembolism. Without warning he started howling and dragging his back legs; I got him to the emergency vet as fast as I could but there was nothing they could do. He might have survived the night but his back legs were paralyzed and he was unlikely to recover - or if he did, there would be another clot before long. He was in pain and respiratory distress and couldn't be taken off oxygen even for me to say goodbye to him.

He was a big gray tabby who had the loudest voice of any cat I've ever known - he might have been part Siamese. He would often sleep with me, curled up behind my knees. He wouldn't lie down and go to sleep until I petted him and told him he was a good boy. I named him Jeoffry after the cat in Christopher Smart's poem Jubilate Agno:

For he is of the tribe of Tiger.
For the Cherub Cat is a term of the Angel Tiger.

Here he is with roommate Milo:


Damn, I'm going to miss him. Rest in peace, Jeoffry. I love you.

[jpak]

1. So sorry

RIP kitty boy

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

4. Thank you.

[Frustratedlady]

2. So sorry. Losing our pets hurts a ton. Take comfort that you gave him a good home and love.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

5. Yes, it does.

It isn't the first time I've had to bring home an empty cat carrier and it won't be the last. I think he had a happy life, though.

[renate]

51. "I think he had a happy life"

That is ALL that matters. That, and the love you shared. It’s everything.

[NanceGreggs]

3. So sorry for your loss.

It's never easy to let them go.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

7. Thank you.

It was very sudden. He was fine a couple of hours ago and suddenly he was beyond help. He was 14.

[LisaM]

6. Oh, I am sorry.

Losing a pet is hard, losing one suddenly is worse.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

9. Thank you. It was very sudden.

The vet said that's what happens - there was probably underlying heart disease but with cats it's usually invisible until this happens. At least he didn't suffer for long, but I wish I could have stayed with him.

[mr_lebowski]

8. So sorry VO ... that's terrible news ...

My family lost a cat to that same cause when I was younger. She was 15 though and had a great life.

How old was Jeoffry?

RIP Precious Boy

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

10. He was 14-1/2.

The vet told me it was a fairly common thing in older cats. I think he had a happy life, too. It was just so sudden.

[mr_lebowski]

15. Yeah, it is ... I'm worried about that with my boy who'll be 17 on the 4th of July ...

He has developed heart gallop, and from what I read, it can end up causing that exact, fatal condition to eventually occur.

Again, so sorry hon ... I know well how much these moments hurt. I've never cried harder in my life than when I had to make the call for my last kitty cat. He was only 11, too ... I felt like a damn murderer, but he was in misery, so ...

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

16. I hope your kitty will be OK.

I have an almost-17-year-old, too, and I'm worried about him as well; he has some kind of respiratory thing going on and we have a vet appointment for that next week. They don't live long enough. But it's worth having them around no matter how much it hurts to lose them.

I had to make the decision over the phone, sitting in my car in the emergency vet's parking lot. He probably wouldn't have made it through the night because he was having so much trouble breathing, but there was no point in letting him suffer any longer. It really, really sucks to have to do this.

[KT2000]

11. What a shock for you

I am so sorry and I know this really hurts. Gorgeous kitty. Peace to you.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

18. Thank you, it really was a shock. He was fine earlier this evening.

I guess you never know...

[irisblue]

12. Jeoffery. 🕯️

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

19. Thank you.

[Solly Mack]

13. He was a beauty. I am so sorry.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

21. Yes, he was, and thank you. He was a big guy with a big voice.

Loudest cat ever.

[vercetti2021]

14. I'm sorry for your loss

Losing a pet is never easy

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

23. Bringing home the empty cat carrier is the saddest thing.

Thanks for your hugs.

[vercetti2021]

27. I get it

When we came home without our dog last August it was just devastating because we would see toys and just a couch with no dog on it was just so difficult to deal with.

[Midnight Writer]

17. Beautiful fellow. Looks like he lived a happy life with you.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

24. Thank you. I think he was happy; he got everything he asked for.

Which was mostly cat treats and pets and a warm spot by a window. A good life for a cat.

[fierywoman]

20. I'm so sorry for your loss.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

29. Thank you.

[cate94]

22. I'm sorry

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

30. Thanks for the hug. I need it.

[revmclaren]

25. So very sorry for your loss.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

31. Thank you.

[UpInArms]

26. I am so sorry

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

32. Thanks for the virtual hugs.

It does help.

[BigmanPigman]

28. That is so sad!

I am in tears now....for you and your little one. Please take care of yourself during the terrible, awful time.

My baby is 17 and doesn't have much time so before long you may be reading a similar post from me (I doubt it though since I will be too much of a basket case to even be able to type for about 10 years).

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

36. It hurts so much to lose them, but I couldn't be happy

without cats in my life. I know Jeoffry had a good life (and same for your kitty, hope there's more time than you might think), I just wish there had been a little more of it. I was so messed up coming home from the vet that I drove several miles in the wrong direction before I noticed where I was, so I get the basket case thing. I will probably cry all day tomorrow, for starters. Thank you for your kind sympathy.

[Permanut]

33. It's clear that Jeoffry had a good life..

and that you gave it to him. That makes you one of the best humans.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

37. He was a rescue cat.

With rescue animals the rescue goes in both directions.

[Permanut]

91. That gets you extra credit..

I have my little rescue Jack Russell terrier here with me helping to type this. He rescued us after the loss of another beloved dog.

[samplegirl]

34. So sorry

my cat is my peace right now. So sorry for your loss❤️

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

38. Cats are peace-bringers.

I don't know what I'd do without them.

[Skittles]

35. I know how hard it is

Grieve not,
nor speak of me with tears,
but laugh and talk of me
as if I were beside you -

I loved you so -
'twas Heaven here with you

~Isla Paschal Richardson

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

40. Thank you for that.

[lunatica]

39. You were very kind and loving

to let him go. It’s so hard to see them suffer.

My only companion is my cat. We have an amazing relationship. He understands a dozen things I say to him. That’s because I use very specific phrases and words and in time he’s learned what they all mean. I also understand him. We have a cuddle at least once a day and wake up time is a time for petting. We understand each other. My hope is that he will be with me for a very long time. I know this breaks your heart. Hugs to you.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

42. Is there a better companion than a cat?

I still have two, and I need their company. One of them isn't well either and I'm worried about him - I hope I don't lose him too. Your cat sounds like a great friend.

[lunatica]

50. He is.

I care deeply for him. He adopted me. He just showed up at my door and he ‘let’ us catch him, but not immediately. My son was alive at the time and he had a very special way with animals. They all loved him.

My cat is a connection to him too. So you can imagine how important he is to me with that extra bond.

[Blue_playwright]

41. I'm so sorry. Very grateful you were there...

And he didn’t suffer at home alone for hours.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

43. Thank you.

I got him to the vet as fast as I could - it was probably less than an hour between when he suddenly got sick and when he was gone. I only wish I could have had some time to pet him and be with him.

[pazzyanne]

44. So sorry about Jeoffry!

I have had some wonderful cats through the years, as I am sure you have. Each one of them left paw prints on my heart, as Jeoffry has left his on yours. A paw print never leaves your heart. You and Milo can comfort each other. Prayers of comfort and remembrance to you and your family.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

47. Thank you.

My heart is covered in paw prints and I wouldn't have it any other way. I miss them all, though.

[More_Cowbell]

45. I'm so so sorry

He was of course a great cat, and you gave him a good life. He'll be waiting to see you again someday.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

48. All cats are great cats; there's no other kind.

But the ones you live with are the greatest.

[murielm99]

46. Oh, it is so hard when we lose one of them.

RIP

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

49. It is hard, but it's worth the grief to have those years with them.

I'm glad for all those years with all my cats, as much as it hurt to lose them. For awhile it will be hard to sleep without Jeoffry curled up behind my knees, though.

[herding cats]

52. I've been there, I know your hurt! 😭

I am so deeply sorry for you tonight. My heart hurts right along with you in your mourning.

My heart and thoughts are with you in this moment. He sounds like such a sweet boy, and as a many times Siamese owner I know the special beauty of a talker.

Peace, and my love to you tonight.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

54. Thank you. I'm going to miss the loud talking.

He always had a lot to say. It's going to be too quiet around here.

[DeminPennswoods]

53. Sorry for your loss

He looks like a well-loved cat who lead a happy life.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

55. He was well-loved, and I think he was happy.

Gonna miss him a lot.

[DeminPennswoods]

56. It's never easy

to lose a pet regardless of how many times you go through it. I am sure another cat will pick you out when you are ready.

[StarryNite]

57. I'm so very sorry for your loss.

Jeoffry was beautiful.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

59. Thank you. That he was.

[IcyPeas]

58. Curled up behind my knees

I am so sorry. I had a cat that would also sleep curled up behind my knees.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

60. I will miss that a lot. It was sort of a comforting feeling.

And he'd purr.

[blm]

61. ((Velve))

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

62. Thanks, ((blm))

[denbot]

63. Sorry for your loss.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

67. Thanks.

[mnhtnbb]

64. Oh, no. The terror of finding a fur baby so sick

and dashing to the emergency vet on Saturday night is something I've experienced, too. I am so sorry that you had to let Jeoffry go.

You gave him a wonderful life and the memory of him will be with you forever.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

66. It's awful. I'm glad I live in a big city where there are emergency vets

but I hate it when I have to use them, it's so scary. All of my previous mad midnight dashes to the emergency vet have had happy endings, but not this time. There was nothing they could do to make him better. But the vet was very kind and sympathetic, which helped a little.

He had a big voice and a big purr and I'm going to miss him terribly.

[TEB]

65. Sorry

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

68. Thank you.

[MFM008]

69. Sorry

An especially bad time to lose a pet.
I would be so lonely without my old boy.
😥😔😿

[SheltieLover]

70. So sorry to hear! 💔

What an awful experience! But, rest assured, he is at peace now, and still with you in Spirit.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

77. Thank you. He'll always be with me.

I feel surrounded by cat spirits.

[Guilded Lilly]

71. Extra white light to you. They save us in so many ways, don't they?...

The love and companionship of a majestic feline is something that so brightens our lives. I genuinely am sorry Jeoffrey is no longer physically beside you. His spirit lives on.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

78. They do.

When you rescue an animal the rescue goes both ways.

[brer cat]

72. I'm so sorry.

Rest in peace, Jeoffry.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

79. Thank you.

[femmedem]

73. I'm so very sorry.

I hope it gives you some comfort to know you gave him a wonderful life. But it's so, so hard, especially now when we have fewer interactions with humans.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

80. Thank you. When I went to feed the other cats this morning

I realized that two cats is exponentially fewer than three cats. There's a big cat-shaped hole in my life right now. But he did have a good life, I think.

[Gothmog]

74. I am sorry for your loss

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

81. Thank you.

[sinkingfeeling]

75. I'm so sorry. A sudden loss is so very heartbreaking.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

82. Thank you. It was a shock.

I've been worrying about the older one, who's 17 and has some kind of respiratory infection or disorder (he's going to the vet this week). I didn't expect to lose Jeoffry, who's always been the healthiest of the three. Gonna miss that big purr.

[MelissaB]

76. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Sending positive thoughts your way.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

83. Thank you for those thoughts.

[Phoenix61]

84. What a handsome boy. I'm so sorry for your loss.

My boy, Spot, is 20 and can still wake me from a sound sleep outside my door with his voice. He’s solid black but I also suspect he’s part Siamese because of that.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

88. Thanks.

Jeoffry was almost certainly part Siamese; besides the voice he also had big ears, a long nose and a long, whippy tail. I've read that it's pretty common for the offspring of a Siamese cat and a mixed breed to be all black.

I once had a Spot but she was a calico (with spots).

[Phentex]

85. So sorry!

Oh I know how much this hurts.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

90. Thank you. It sure does hurt.

But we know that will happen when we take in an animal friend and we do it anyhow.

[Bluepinky]

86. So sorry about Jeoffry, he's a handsome boy.

A similar medical malady happened to our beloved first adopted cat “Spot” many years ago. I was startled by his persistent loud cries, went to investigate and found him with his back legs paralyzed. He crawled into the cat carrier I opened for him, and I immediately took him to the vet. He had had a stroke, and there was no treatment for him. He was in agony. I was glad I could hug and hold him during his final moments. He was a special boy.

It’s better to love them and share your life with them for the time available than to not do so. RIP Jeoffry.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

87. That's exactly what happened to Jeoffry.

The vet said this is a fairly common result of underlying heart disease that often goes unnoticed in cats. It's like a stroke, but the clot is in the aorta where it branches to the back legs. It comes on very quickly and most of the time nothing can be done.

I once had a cat named Spot; she was a calico. With spots.

[Bluepinky]

89. Yes, Spot developed heart disease after he was neutered after we adopted him.

He developed an infection after the medical procedure and was on antibiotics for awhile. Afterwards, he had chronic, low level heart disease. But he had a great life for over 10 years. We really hated to see him go. I always felt guilty that I hadn’t researched veterinarians prior to his neutering and took him to the vet clinic that was closest to where we lived; one of my coworkers told me later that the clinic doesn’t have the best reputation. We never went back there again.

Our Spot was a large black tuxedo cat with white spots. So smart and loving. He always has a place in my heart.

[milestogo]

92. I'm sorry.