Our cat ,Skunkie is no more

[SoCalDem]

We lost our "old man" cat, Skunkie today. His kidneys failed, and we had to help him leave us.

MommieCat arrived here in 1989,laden with kittens..Skunkie was her firstborn, and my middle son claimed him, but it was obvious from early on that Skunkie preferred my husband. Skunk would drowse most of the day, but would always wake up at 2:30 sharp,(1/2 hour before Dad gets home from work) and round up the other kitties.. They would sit, lined up by the front door, and follow my husband, like the Pied Piper, until he sat at the table and gave them their treats..every day....Exactly 3 apiece and Skunkie always went first..

Skunkie "schooled" all the kittens we adopted on "proper" treat-time behavior.. Anyone who went out of turn, would get a reprimand from him.

He got up with my husband when he got up for work, and would lick his hand as he tied his shoes..

He INSISTED on ICE CUBES in the water bowl.. he was the "water monitor"..

In recent days, he lost weight, even though he ate, and quit grooming himself. He still showed up for treats though..until Thursday. he went under the bed, and would not come out.

A trip to the vets confiremd my fears..

He was a sweet old boy, and we will miss him terribly...but he is not suffering anymore:cry:

Chilling out on the big pillow

Kneading his favorite chair

His Mom...MommieCat

[IdaBriggs]

1. Complete and utter heartfelt sympathies.....:(

[Arugula Latte]

2. Aw, Skunkie.

I'm so sorry.

I love big black-and-white kitties. I lost my big tuxie two years ago. He was my first baby.

MommieCat is absolutely gorgeous. I've never seen markings like that. She is so cool.

Again, I'm so sorry about Skunkie, but take comfort in that he had a great life. :grouphug:

[swag]

3. He looks like a sweet water monitor

I'm sorry for your loss. I'm glad you had such happy years with Skunkie.

[warrens]

16. My Maine Coon has cancer

He's not in pain yet, but it will happen soon, probably by July. Mick has been the sweetest cat considering he is a thug. I still have scars from him, but the night I had my first kidney stone operation, and had to sit up in a chair all night, he looked around, figured I needed nursing, then slept on my lap all night. As soon as he heard the family start getting up, he jumped down and gave me a look that said, "this BETTER be between us." Later, he saw my daughter being given swimming lessons in our pool, and FLIPPED. He started crying at them, then, making sure they were watching, went down the steps and delicately lapped up a bit of water. "If you want a drink, idiots, you don't have to get your fur all wet."

He's a really bright, kind cat now. I am going to miss him a lot. I was going to get some kittens this spring so he could show them the ropes, but my travel schedule is stupif. Baltimore, Minneapolis, New Orleans, Buffalo, Victoria, Montreal, and some other place I forgot at the moment. So I have to wait for the fall. Mick will probably die before then. It's real painful.

[SoCalDem]

22. Our Miss Kitty died of cancer many years ago

and after that experience, we decided to let nature take its course, no matter how painful for US.. She had two operations and chemo, and in the end it really only bought her a few months..and I had to take her weekly for fluid removal from the pericardium.. She tolerated it all well, and even played and purred on the day she died..We had been discussing what to do next, just the night before, and the next morning, she jumped into my husband's lap, and as he was petting her, she just quit breathing, and wnt very quickly and peacefully..

We both were relieved that she would have no more vet visits.. It was hard losing her after 16 years, and I feel for you having to anticipate such a sad event.:cry:

[amerikat]

4. So sorry about Skunkie.......

Sounds like he was a very cool kitty, and a kitty that had a sense of protocol. His coolness will live on by what he taught the others.

[Thtwudbeme]

5. I realized that I have been reading about Skunkie and your kitties

for years....

This is sad; I bet there are other DUers that feel like they "know" your babies!

[MuseRider]

6. RIP Skunkie

:hug: for you and your family. I am sorry SoCal, so very sorry. He was a beauty and has left you with some wonderful stories. You were obviously wonderful to him, he had a good life with you.

[havocmom]

7. Profound sympathy for your loss.

They leave such a big hole in your heart, don't they? Take comfort in knowing he had a good life with you and you did well by him.

Said it before and will keep saying it, cuz I feel it to be true: The love does not end just because the vessel gets frail and breaks. A very special cat taught me that.

There is a comforting little book called Goodbye, friend which yo might take some comfort from in the coming weeks and months.

Hope the soul of Skunkie finds the soul of Havoc. Sounds like they would be good pals, being such good gentlemen and all.

Peace & strength to you and yours.

havocmom, who still missed ol Havoc

[Ladyhawk]

8. BIG HUGS

Only true pet lovers know that losing a pet can be as traumatic as losing a family member or dear friend. My condolensces on the loss of your furry friend. :(

[SoCalDem]

12. The real heartbreaker is that I was out of town

I took him to the vet Thursday, before I left town. My husband was the one who had to ultimately make the decision.. I called him Friday to find out the results of the tests, and he said the vet told him to call Saturday morning after they had rehydrated him, and observed him for a while..

He said he cried for about an hour after having to give the orders to the vet. He couldn;t bring himself to go there.:cry:..

In our family, I am always the one who has to make those kinds of decisions, but he had to be the one to do it for "his own boy".

[Lorien]

9. Awww..a tuxedo kitty

just like my Miro, who was born the same year. I'm so sorry for your loss. :hug: :cry:

[tuckessee]

10. Skunkie will always "be".

Especially because his purr lingers in warm, kind hearts such as your family.

[chookie]

11. :-(

So sad.

:hug:

[mike_c]

13. I'm so sorry....

God it's so hard taking that last ride. One of the hardest things ever. :hug:

[SoCalDem]

14. A few more pics from the good days

Hanging out on the people couch

Skunk's daily "chore"..snoozing

[virgdem]

15. My heartfelt sympathy to you...

Your Skunkie looks just like a chubbier version of my Sylvester. I love Tuxedo's. It's never easy to lose our furbabies, but easier to bear if we have other cats to love, as it helps to fill the big hole in our hearts that our kitties leave when they cross the Rainbow Bridge.

[jukes]

17. most sincere condolence

i insist on holding them when i put one down. always so very sad...

i understand your loss.


:cry:

[Heidi]

18. Skunkie departed knowing he was well-loved.

I'm sorry for your loss. :hug:

[Vektor]

19. I'm so sorry...

Rest in peace, beautiful kitty.

[VOX]

20. I'm so very sorry, SCD =^..^=)))~~

It's so very hard to say goodbye to our special friends.

Thank you for giving a loving home to Skunkie. :hug:

[solinvictus]

21. I'm sorry to hear of this..

:hug:

[DeAngel]

23. You have my condolences.

I'll be sending what vibes I can spare to you, and prayers to Mother Gaea to support Skunkie's spirit in the afterworld.


Edit for spelling

[48pan]

24. It's often harder to lose a pet than a relative.

I'm sorry for your loss...

You know there's only one cure for the sadness from losing a pet. It's time to get a kitten!

[SoCalDem]

27. Not an option.. We currently have 8, since losing him..

We knew going into cat rescue, that we would be headed for many heartbreaks, but to NOT do it was never an option:)


from left to right:
Amber, Mommiecat, Skunkie, Willie, Starvin' Marvin, Sweetie Pie, Chinny, Sara, & Sammy

[RevCheesehead]

25. I'm sorry for your loss.

I lost one of my three this past week, so I understand the grief you are feeling, all too well.

Peace to you, and glad you had such a wonderful companion. :grouphug:

[CatWoman]

26. SoCal

you know how much I love ALL your kitties.

:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

RIP, Skunk.

RIP.........

:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

[kodi]

28. i 'm sorry to hear of your loss. skunkie sounds like he was a gem

we never can appreciate what we got til its gone.

[Kat45]

29. He sounds like he was a real sweety.

I'm sorry he's gone, but you can take heart in knowing that he had a great life with your family, as you did with him. :hug:

[MissHoneychurch]

30. I feel with you

I lost my cat in January due to kidney problmes. She lost a lot of weight in the last months.

[Pool Hall Ace]

31. I am so sorry.

:grouphug: RIP Skunkie :cry:

[El Fuego]

32. I am very sorry :(

My kitty is a tuxedo cat too, and she is 17.

[davsand]

33. SoCal, I am SO sorry!

You've talked a lot on here about your four footed babies, and I know they mean a lot to you and your family. My heart goes out to you all with this loss. Skunkie was a lovely boy and I am certainly happy for him that he had a family like yours to love him and care for him even after his passing.


Laura

[Terran]

34. Oh dear, I'm so so sorry SoCal

I just went through this a week ago with my 'old man' cat, who apparently arrived and departed the same years as your Skunkie. He was a very handsome fellow, and I know if he lived in your house, he had a great life.

Dirk

[Kathy in Cambridge]

35. What a sweet-looking boy! My condolences!

:hug:

He sounded like a character-and a smart boy. My thoughts are with you and your husband.

[area51]

36. Skunkie

I'm so sorry for your loss of Skunkie, SoCalDem.

[GreenPartyVoter]

37. I am so sorry *hugs*