Posted on 03/26/2008 1:22:31 PM PDT by Tennessee_Bob
The world is a far, far darker place for the loss of a little black cat
Pitch was a rescue cat. We went to a black cat rescue group 11 years ago to see about picking a cat, and we got picked instead. I sat down on the floor, and this little kitten with the crank in his tail came right up to me and climbed into my lap, and that was it.
Originally, Pitch was supposed to be “my” cat, as much as a cat can belong to anyone. However, when we got him home, he instantly adopted my then four year old daughter. She could do no wrong in his eyes. He followed her around the house like a puppy. If she were in her room with the door closed, he would sit there and knock at the door until she opened it. He slept with her, kept her warm on chilly nights, and in the morning, would make muffins on her stomach, and give her kisses on the cheek until she woke up.
When I got divorced, Pitch had to stay with my ex-wife. My daughter came with me, and would see him when she went to visit her mom, but until we had a house of our own, Pitch was over there. He became an outdoor cat for better or worse. When I bought my house, we went and picked up Pitch, and turned to the task of making him an indoor cat once again. When he discovered hot spots on the heated floors, it made our job much easier.
Pitch – Pitch Cat, the old man, Buddy, Partner – I called him all sorts of names – and he would answer to Pitch – he would come when you called him – was an unusual cat. My best friend stated, “I am not a cat person, but Pitch isn’t a cat.” He made friends with anyone that came over. He knew no strangers, only friends he had never met before. Scratch his chin once, and he’d be in your lap wanting more. My wife (I got married again) stated that she wasn’t a cat person, but she loved Pitch. You could hear the old man purring from across the room.
In December, we noticed that he was losing weight. A big cat – not a fat one, according to the vet, but a big cat – Pitch weighed in at eighteen pounds. When I got him to the vet, he was down to eleven. They ran a blood panel on him, and found that his kidneys were failing. They showed me how to run a hydration line on him, and gave me some Prescription Diet, along with some antibiotics for an infection he had. He perked up overnight, was his old self in a matter of 24 hours, and we were off and running. This lasted for a couple months, but we couldn’t get him to eat steadily, and in the end, we realized we were just watching him go slowly.
This morning, after everyone had left the house but me, he collapsed. I checked on him, and in typical cat fashion, he got up and was walking around the house. At lunch when I came home, he had collapsed again, and seemed to be having trouble breathing. I called the vet’s office, and they told me to bring him in, so I did.
I pride myself on being this rough, tough, ex-military kind of guy. I was a Staff Sergeant. I’m bad ass, but I was a huge baby when it came down to it. The vet came in and examined him, and I could hardly talk through the tears. She understood though, and was so very kind. They allowed me to stay in the room with him while they gave him the tranquilizer to quiet him down. He staggered around on the table, and finally laid down next to where I was standing. I wrapped him in the blanket that belonged to the Girl (Marissa – my daughter that he adopted), and sat down with him while the vet gave him the shot that sent him home. He was sicker than we realized, and he went very quickly – in less than a minute. There was one last breath – and I’m telling myself that it was a sigh of relief – and that great heart was stilled.
No more good morning kisses or making muffins in the middle of the night. No more listening to him talk to the birds on the feeder in the backyard. No more pain or suffering for the old man, my partner, my buddy. He’s gone home to the Rainbow Bridge.
I’m sorry for your loss. I love my cat too and will miss him when he is gone.
Awwwww. Black, beautiful and shiny! Thanks for posting the pics. He is absolutely beautiful. I pray your grieving some ease.
Thank you for posting this wonderful story! My sincere condolences on your loss.
I had a cat I rescued when she was tiny, and she liked to sleep across my neck at night, whether I was laying on my back, on my side, or whatever. She got to be pretty fat and sassy, and many times I woke up gasping for air because I couldn’t breathe with her laying across my throat! I was the only human she liked, and I, too, held her while the vet put her to sleep. It was a sad experience, but strangely peaceful, as I could see she wasn’t suffering anymore.
Are you planning to get another cat soon?
I am so very sorry about Pitch.
OMG...I had to go kiss my kittys face after seeing that one!
Pitch was beautiful...sleek and shiny, and obviously much loved. I’ll bet your dog misses him too.
It takes a while to get used to not having them around, but they surely leave a lot of good memories, and the knowledge that they had a good life and enjoyed being with you as much as you enjoyed having them as part of the family.
Thanks for posting the pics. Pitch looks like a beautiful cat. And again, I’m sorry for your loss.
I so value all the black cats I’ve had in my life. Thanks for sharing and God bless.
I am so sorry, FRiend.
God bless,
GB
Loss of Furry Friend Ping.
Yet for that "gift" to her, the big goof gives us so much more.
Good job, Pitch!
I lost my beloved Simba this past December. He was 15. It is very hard and sad and the loss was felt in the house the next morning. It felt empty even with three other cats. In time you will look back and feel happy you had such a loving animal.
Ang
He was a scratcher, but I knew he would be a fighter. I nursed him from that little kitten to the monster who ran the neighborhood.
I could go on for hours about the things he did and the laughter and love he gave to me and my sister, but the tears are coming, and this has been 20 years plus since I got that call that he was gone.
So I do know how you feel. You never forget the character or the trust and love.
And it hurts, even years later.
Your Pitch looks more like My Merle, a wonderful boy we lost a few years ago. Tears and love for all of them.
My Merle
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