Popeye is 21 and a half. And looks every minute of his age. He is very feeble now, and skin, bones and HAIR. It takes him forever to get seated from this position and we watch as he uses his tail as a balancing device. It doesn't always work and his legs flutter as he tries to correct his descent.
During the night I hear him walking around as his toenails make a racket in the silence. Then he leaves a puddle or deposit just anywhere, and my feet are puddle magnets so I find them while still half asleep. He is telling us it is time. We keep hoping he will go in his sleep, but he continues to survive. He is deaf, and the pupils of his eyes are dilated about as wide as they can get, so we assume he is nearly blind too.
This is a cat we have had since his birth, when his teenage mother Schnuppe dropped him under a hosta plant. I found him the next morning, her only baby, and my immediate response was to personally lick his face. (?) He responded and I knew he would live.
He has never been what we would call an interesting cat. He didn't do funny things, or get into trouble, wandering or hunting. When he would see another cat in the neighborhood he would growl, but let his housemates handle the confrontation.
I have been trying to remember anything of note as a 'fond memory' but there just is just this one.
He has always been a flea magnet and so as a baby, while his mother, the slut, was out attracting the local tom, I would come home from work and give him a flea bath in a large mixing bowl, as he was so tiny. Then I would tweeze off the dead or nearly dead fleas, for about an hour, and so he became Popeye the Sailor Kitty, since he spent so much time being wet.
He had a bad flea time this past summer as you might recall, but we had a grand time in the kitchen sink scrubbing and rinsing and washing them away. So fleabaths are what we will think of when we talk about him in the future. It's not the greatest legacy.
I don't think I will be very sad about putting him down, as he has lived a really, really long time and we have been warning him since he was 16 that this was his last summer etc. but he just kept on staying alive, sleeping until meal time. He has loved being here, and even liked the dog, we think. I will open a can of tuna, and he will drink the water, leaving the tuna alone and we'll allow that. Tomorrow I will call the vet and take him in.
It's been a long time since he looked this good.
He seems amazingly old and it must be a difficult decision . While I cannot have pets now due to allergies, I did grow up with them and lost a few.
ReplyDeleteIt does seem to be his time though. I'm glad you'll have Chumley's company and antics to distract you.
Death with dignity is what we can give our animal friends when they hang on, just to be with us. I've loved and lost many animals, and will continue to do so, because as the song says, "I could have missed the pain, but I would have missed the dance." Popeye is a lucky cat to have had you care for him (flea baths and all) for fully one-third of YOUR life!
ReplyDeletepets are also kids from you,......hold him in your great memories!!!!, when the time is there.
ReplyDeleteWith a tear full of understanding such a kind of love in my eyes ...
ReplyDelete... and a big hug for such a wonderfull person that you are!
Ev
I think you will miss him when he is gone tomorrow and the dog will miss him too. The fond memories will probably pop up when he is gone and you notice how much he still was a part of your lives, even when sleeping all the time.
ReplyDeleteI wish you strenght tomorrow, you will need it, even though it definitevely is his time.
I'm sorry Mel. It's never an easy thing to have to do. He's had a great life with you two. Good old cat...
ReplyDeleteWhen our little gal (17 at the time) fell several times trying to get up on the couch, we took her in to the vet where we were told her innards were riddled with cancer. It was time, it was hard, but it was right. She died with us stroking her and telling her she was beautiful and we loved her. That's the way I want to go, with the people who love me nearby, touching me. It's a hard decision, but it's a kind decision.
ReplyDeleteGoodbye Popeye. Vaya con Dios.
ReplyDeleteGoodbye Popeye. Boomer (my orange cat, age 15 1/2) and I are waving hands/paws. Mel, it sounds like Popeye’s been a steady presence in your life, and antics or not, his absence will be felt. A perfect straight man for Chumley, LOL. You are doing the right thing, and I wish you the best... Hugs, Cathy
ReplyDeletePopeye will be with George - I'm sure they will meet. I have a nice hosta in my garden that is known as "Goerges' hosta" - and its thrives in his memory.
ReplyDeleteSo sad. This summer, we had to say goodbye to our Patches, who I thought was old, but just 17 1/2. It was time. But we cried and cried. Her spirit will always be around. I'm sorry.
ReplyDeleteAww, it sounds sad but necessary. Popeye will live on in your heart though. D~~~~
ReplyDeleteI{m glad that Popeye had a happy life with you. And he even had a dog buddy for a little while in Chumley. It's always hard to say goodbye to our furry friends, but you're right, it's time. Goodbye, Popeye.
ReplyDeleteWith sympathies but also gladness for a long life well lived. You are doing the kindest thing you can; I had to face something similar on new year's eve when my gorgeous Bixy found it agonising to breathe as a result of a heart condition (at the comparatively young age of 12)
ReplyDeleteHi Melody, I will personally miss Popeye and have loved seeing him on your blog again more regularly. I was so pleased he seemed to have taken to Mr Chumley and was having a little furry company. Does he seem in pain? I couldn't take a fella who was hanging in there otherwise - I'm too much of a softy - had to put down several, but all ill. Maybe all he needs is big can of spinach - what do you think? Hope you have a change of heart, otherwise I hope it goes well and it is a peaceful passing. Thinking of you, Dave, Chumley and especially Popeye, who may have not been exciting but always brought a smile to my face and gladdened my day, will miss you little ginge xxx
ReplyDeleteI will be holding your hand and Popeyes too, (in spirit). It's a difficult decision, but you are right... he is near the end and kindness is the best you can do for him. It's hard to say goodbye to a friend, and he sounds like he was a good one... even if all you have are wet memories.
ReplyDeleteWe had to have our sweet girl, K.C., put to sleep 3 weeks ago today. She was 14 1/2 and we miss her terribly. It was the hardest decision we've ever had to make. She was diagnosed in Sept. with kidney disease and at Christmas she went down hill rapidly. She was a real companion to us both. Her companion kitty, Harry, looks for her and sleeps in one of her chairs and gets her toys out of the toy box and lays on them. It's so heartbreaking to see. They had been together 12 years. We miss our "little girl" a lot. My thoughts are with you. He's had a good life with you but it's time to let him go.
ReplyDeleteAwwww. Ditto to what everyone else has already said. You wouldn't believe how many people I've told that I "know" this cat who is 21 years old!!! He will live on through all of our conversations and thoughts of love and admiration! My thoughts will be with you. xo
ReplyDeleteDear Melody, you've been a great Mom to Popeye. This is always such a hard decision, one I had to make last month when my 18 year-old rescue cat, who had been with me for 8 years, developed oral cancer after having done well on kidney meds since March. We had a wonderful cuddle for an hour before I took her to the vet. My heart is with you and Dave.
ReplyDeleteWe are close to the same situation. Nels is 20+, sometimes senile, and sleeps. Then out of the blue, the kitten we knew emerges and he chases the mice in his head. Death with dignity, it is the least we could do for such a dear friend. Hugs to all.
ReplyDeleteCats are very tenacious and will hang on apparently indefinitely in my experience so, if you are not careful, you get to a point where you are left with guilt for not having acted sooner. This happened to me and I think It is best avoided, as it just makes it worse. Probably Chumley gave him an incentive to soldier on ("I'll see this little interloper off, just see if I don't") and ending your very long life with a bit of spirit and stubbornness is no bad way to go, is it? I will be thinking of you tomorrow. xxx
ReplyDeleteSorry to read about your kitty. He's had a VERY long life and it seems that the quality of life is no longer what you would want for him. Not an easy decision - but the right one.
ReplyDeleteDitto to what Debbs posted.
ReplyDeleteIt's going to be hard not seeing mentions of Popeye on your blog--he, Dave and now Chumley are part-and-parcel of everything friends and strangers come here for (ok, and the quilting and knitting and non-traditional Thanksgiving entree!).
But you have given him a comfortable life, and soon a comfortable goodbye. I do believe in the "Rainbow Bridge," and I know he will be prancing around up there like the kitty he used to be. Take note of Chums afterwards--he'll know somebody is missing.
We're all shedding a tear at the coming loss.
Adios & farewell, sweet Popeye. Sending soothing karma to you, Melody. I know from experience, too, how hard this is.
ReplyDeleteYou are in my thoughts - It is so very difficult to make that decision and to make that appointment. Hugs to you and your husband
ReplyDeleteOur Abigail was almost as old last year when we put her down. She was blind, incontinent, and probably deaf. While it was sad to put her down, it was truly the kindest gift we could give her. Popeye will be eternally grateful to you. Have a safe journey Popeye.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to read this, the decision is such a hard one. We said goodbye to our darling dog last month and 'making the date' was one of the hardest things I've ever done. Popeye has had a great life with you and I've always liked reading about him and Chumley on your blog. Thinking of you all.
ReplyDeleteIt's so sad when it's time - even when you know it's the right thing, and the right time. You've loved him, and he you, and now you're doing the last kind act for him. Hugs (and tears) for you all,
ReplyDeleteSleep well Popeye.
I know exactly where you are coming from in this post we have a dog that is the same way, she is 16, sleeps 23 hours and 45 minutes a day, gets up nibbles a little bit drinks a little bit, leaves a puddle and a turd and goes back to sleep. sometimes she doesn't even get up, pees on herself in her sleep. We too have been telling her for 2 years, this is your last holiday. But it is time, as the cold weather gets to her, even though she stays indoors. She lives in the laundry room on her pile of blankets, that get washed almost daily. She loves it when they come straight out of the dryer, she will move to lay on them, or I will cover her with them to make her feel good. Popeye, Cheyenne will meet you at the Rainbow bridge very soon.
ReplyDeleteA few years ago, we had to put down a 21 year old cat; last month it was her 17 year old "brother." These animals have been with me through good times and bad, and were with me before I met my husband. It is so sad to say goodbye (and we waited for natural causes too that never came). Popeye will be running through fields of hosta tomorrow, chasing butterflies and forgetting the pain he might have been in. Hang in there, Melody, you're doing the right thing, and it is so sad.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry that you're losing Popeye, but it sounds like he's had a good time of it. <3
ReplyDeleteThank you, too, for reminding me of my old man's final days. :)
Thank you to all for the kind and heart healing words for Melody and myself. Yes I already miss Popeye tremendously and the pain will diminish as my memories of him fade over time. He was my bud and I his.
ReplyDeleteFarewell, Popeye. You've had a full, long life.
ReplyDeleteOne of our cats lived to 19 and died in our backyard with Mum patting her. 21 and a half is pretty amazing.
so sad to read this .. thinking of you and wishing you much courage
ReplyDeleteMichou from Luxembourg
He was lucky to be with you, and you were lucky to have a well behaved cat! You took good care of him, that's why he lived so long. Quilters are very good caretakers.
ReplyDeleteGoodbye Popeye, I love you!
ReplyDeleteFarewell, Popeye, on your voyage to unknown territory.
ReplyDeleteI remember you (Mel) saying that "this" is his last summer...several times. When there is nothing else you can do for him, releasing him is the kindest thing. You have my sympathy.