Warning: Very Sad :(... Love your cats, people!

[kriadydragon]

Stray, our gray cat, aka the fatty-squish, passed away last night. He was 17 years old (17!) and an utter sweetheart. He wasn't shy, would cuddle with anyone and let little kids mush him. He was a big old cat who'd nearly break your legs jumping into your lap, but he certainly kept us warm during the winter. He also got along with everyone - dogs, other cats. He never beat up on new cats and was all-around a laid-back guy with big, dewy eyes.

I'm so going to miss him, but he couldn't have died in a better way - in the house, warm, curled up in his favorite spot on the corner of my bed before he dragged himself to the cat-box so he could pass away in private. But I couldn't let him go like that, so we took him out and sat with him and pet him until it was over (trying not to cry as I write this).

A few hours before passing away, he sat in my mom's lap, and my mom feels that it was his way of saying good-bye.

*Sniff* I hate losing cats, but better that they die of old age than by other unpleasent means, and we've lost cats in worse ways. It's why I won't let any of our younger cats outside.

So long, Stray. (As soon as I find a picture of him, I'll post it.)

Comments

[wildcat88.livejournal.com]

(((HUGS))) Losing a pet is so hard. I'm so sorry to hear that Stray died, but I'm glad it was peaceful and you got to say goodbye.

Now, I need to go home and hug both of mine. *sniff*

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

Yes, hug your cats. Hug them to pieces :).

[karri-kln1671.livejournal.com]

*nods* I lost two this year. Both were adopted strays I'd had for nearly 10 years and both were very old. It's hard to lose them. *hugs*

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

Ironically enough, Stray wasn't even a stray, he was a cat we got from some lady. I don't even think he was a kitten, which means he was probably older than 17. He was one relisilient cat.

[vecturist.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry and I know how you feel - I have a cat dying of kidney disease (what a lot of old cats get) and as annoying as he can be sometimes (he is definitely a lap cat or a likes to be on your shoulder when at the computer) I don't what I'll do without him.

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

Oh! *wibbles for him* Whatever you do, don't be quick about getting a new cat. I did that when another of my cats died (yeah, I know, very shallow but I was kind of all over the place emotionally so not thinking straight). About two days later, I think, my older sister found some people who had cats to give away and I jumped on the opportunity. I felt so guilty about it, plus the cat turned out to be the devil. When she vanished, I felt bad, but didn't really shed any tears.

[vecturist.livejournal.com]

Thank you. He was diagnosed a little over a year ago and the vet pushed lots of treatment options like regular IVs, but since Max hates the vet and he didn't like me trying to alter his diet (kidney disease makes it harder for them to process proteins) he pretty much gets to eat what he wants - quality over quantity.

I don't think I could replace Max with another cat for quite awhile and I don't think you pick cats as they pick you.

Stray sounds like the cat my parents had for a number of years - he was a stray who showed up and never left (especially after my mom broke down and fed him after he'd been hanging around a week). He was a barn cat and an accomplished hunter, but loved any lap and willingly let the neighbor's little kids play with him, even when they brushed him the wrong way.

[giusytriso.livejournal.com]

Oh dear. I'm so sorry for that and I feel for you.
I have two cats (both female) so I know how hard it is to lose them. They are like family.
*hugs*

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Pets really are like family. They annoy the crap out of you, but you could never part with them for anything.

[tinypenny.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry for your loss. At least Stray had a happy life with you.

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

Thank you. Yeah, we spoiled him ;)

[2bluaeryn.livejournal.com]

I lost my cat to disease and it was the hardest thing that I had to go though. He was a stray kitten that friends gave to me when I was going though my divorce. Mag and I would hold all kinds of conversations *g*, he was my friend and I still miss him and it's been 3 years.

With that said, I feel for you and big HUG from me.

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

I think that's what makes it all so hard - all the little things that made the cat and your relationship with him/her so unique. I sometimes let Stray sleep on my bed and he'd keep me warm. I could also pet him as roughly as I wanted, and he loved it :)

[bratfarrar]

17 years. Wow. I know my stomach goes all weird when I think about losing our puppy, and we've had him for only 10 years. I can't image what it would be like after almost twice that long.

*hugs*

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

I'm surprised Stray lived as long, being the fatty that he was. IT's kind of wierd. He was mostly an outdoor cat, so it doesn't feel like he's really gone. Just... elsewhere in the neighborhood.

Stray

[(Anonymous)]

That is so sad. I just had to give my big boy cat extra love when I was reading that. He's 14. My little (chubby) gray girl cat is 12. So, they're not far from 17. Thank you for the reminder. Sometimes I get busy and forget to give them extra attention. Mine are both indoor cats and I do think that gives them an advantage to living longer. There are lots of dangers out there for cats. I'm sorry for your loss, but am glad you have great memories of Stray and that he passed on in the best way possible, surrounded by those who love him. - Diane

Re: Stray

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

We've lost so many cats because they were outdoor cats that it amazes me that Stray lived as long as he did. We suspect we may have lost another cat a few days back before Stray died, but we're kind of in denial about it, except we haven't seen her for days.

I refuse to let any of our younger cats outdoors as I'm tired of losing them to the unknown.

[ed263.livejournal.com]

I am so sorry for your loss. {{{HUGS}}}
Stray was very lucky to have passed away peacefully and with someone who loves him with him at his end and you were so lucky to have such a wonderful pet such him share in your life.
I look forward to seeing a picture of Stray.

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

It was horrible watching him die, but I'm glad I was able to be there. It felt right, and made it a little less hard in the long run. If something or someone has to die, I find it easier when they die of old age after having lived a full life.

*Winces* I think I may have packed all the pictures away, which means I won't be able to post it for a couple of weeks.

[sheppyd.livejournal.com]

Now you have made me cry. I really worry about the day that I have to say goodbye to my big old boy :(

It sounds like Stray had a long and happy life- not that it makes it any easier to say goodbye! *hugs*

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

I find it's not so bad when it's old age they're dying from. I had a cat who died because we think he got into something that made him sick. Now that was difficult. With Stray, we knew it would come eventually, so in a way we were prepared (he was usually an outdoor cat, but mom brought him inside because he was having a hard time getting around and it was getting cold.)

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Sniffle. I know what it's like to lose the little furry famiy members - very tough - but I'm glad to hear that he went peacefully and in no pain...

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

I'm not sure if it was peaceful, though. He was kind of twitching. Hopefully he was far gone enough not to feel anything.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Definitely more peaceful than when my kitties passed on :(

[abracah.livejournal.com]

So sorry for your loss. It is always hard to say Goodbye to those we love. It sounds like he was welled loved and returned that love in full. He will always be a part of you.

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Stray was everyone's favorite, especially the kids as he let them do pretty much anything they wanted to him.

[novembersga.livejournal.com]

It's very sad, but wow, 17 years. Sounds like he was a very fortunate feline to have such a loving family....

*Hugs*

It's been a long time ago, but I lost my cat too. She was friendly with everybody but had a definite preference for me. Followed me everywhere......

I got her as a kitten when I was seven and had her for nine years. Somehow she got into the street and got run over. *sniff*

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

Stray was our fatty bub. Even my older sister liked him, and she hates cats.

I dread the day I lose my other cats, especially the youngest one (I'd gotten her when she was only two-days old, and she's a total momma's girl.)

[nebbyjen.livejournal.com]

Awww...sounds as though you had a sweet beastie.

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

He was a total sweetheart. This cat loved everyone, and was the best lap cat.

[(Anonymous)]

Oh, I'm so sorry Hun...

I grieved when my Charlie died after 14 1/2 yrs in '99. I just got a new stray this last July. She is 'mostly' sweet. But, it took a lot. I wasn't looking for another cat. I don't think I was thru grieving.

I'm sorry to hear about his passing. It's always the good ones that go...

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

Thanks. We had Stray for a long time and I know we couldn't keep him forever. I'm grateful that he lived as long as he did.

[timespirt.livejournal.com]

We had all indoor cats, they came outside onto our deck when we were out (under a watchful eye). We had 4 of them, three died of very old age (over 20 years old each), another of that feline leukemia. All of them got along with my 3 parrots, mind you the parrots had the most fun with nipping twitching tails as they were twitched in the birds faces by the cats. LOL My heart goes out to you.