Posted on 08/17/2013 3:13:33 PM PDT by servo1969
RUSH: I've got people e-mailing me about Punkin, my cat, and I would not have been able to describe this or tell you about this any earlier than today literally without losing it, but we had to put Punkin to sleep a week ago. She was 16 years old, and the first cat that I'd ever had, and ended up being the best pet that I've ever had. I'd always thought that cats were these aloof creatures that couldn't care less if you were around or not.
And to strangers and so forth, they might be. But when a cat attaches to you, some might say when a cat loves you, it's entirely different. This cat attached to me years ago and was everywhere I was. This cat followed me around and just had just a robust personality with me, but she had kidney failure. She's actually had it for 10 years, and she had built up an immunity to every antibiotic. It had stopped working. (sigh)
I guess two weeks ago, whatever you call it, dramatic acute kidney failure set in and she stopped eating. Because when the kidneys fail, somehow the vet said the body tells them that food is poison because it can't be dealt with by the kidney. They stop eating, and she was literally withering away before my eyes. But she was... I mean, these animals, you know, they never give up. Suicide is not in their makeup.
It was one of the hardest things that I've had to do. Last weekend was really sad and lonely, and I wouldn't have been able to tell you about this on Monday without breaking up. But a lot of people have been asking because I had mentioned that she was not well, so I wanted to mention it to you and thank all of you for asking. I appreciate it. You all know. Those of you who have animals and lose them, you know what it's like.
Oh poor Rush. RIP little Punkin.
Very sorry to hear of Rush’s loss. Treat ‘em right, and cats are loving animals.
That’s a beautiful cat-buddy. I’m sorry for Rush’s loss, been through that with a special animal bud. It’s been decades, and I still miss him.
Rush’s kitty ping.
Having lost many throughout my life, I know the pain he’s feeling.
Yep, me too. Thankful every day for those nudges and purrs.
Sounds like a cat that lived a long life.
“Touching noses, also known as “sniffing noses”, is a friendly greeting for cats, while a lowered head is a sign of submission. Some cats will rub their faces along their guardian’s cheek, hands, or ankles as a friendly greeting or sign of affection. This action is also sometimes a way of “marking their territory,” leaving a scent from the scent glands located in the cat’s cheeks. More commonly, a cat will do a “head bonk” (or “bunt”), i.e., bump someone with the front part of its head to express affection.”
My old cat Crooktail passed at 17. He used bonk me constantly. When a cat gives you a head butt that doesn’t end with a cheek wipe it really, really likes you a lot. For a few weeks after he died I would wake up in the middle of the night and think for a second he was there. But then I would remember he was gone.
That reminds me of the song Mr. Bojangles: “...dog up and died; after twenty years he still grieves...”
Beautiful cat, no wonder he loved her. Hopes he gets another one soon. Does he still have his dogs?
Two words.
Jack Russell, they’re part cat.
Aw geez, so sad to hear that. Mine is about 10 years old and has been my only buddy for that time. My only fear about dying is going before her and what would become of her........
Kitteh ping.
I had a cat that lived 20 years.
I still miss her.
So sorry for your loss, Rush. A companion is a companion, be it human or critter, and the loss of a companion leaves a crater that only the heart can fill over time.
My first cat lived a couple months shy of 22 years old.
Dumbest cat I ever had, too. I miss him.
Always considered myself a dog person....and I probably still am in general....but my all time favorite pet is a cat. By far smarter than any other animal I’ve been around. Favorites 2 thru 10 are prolly all dogs however....
I’m so sorry to hear that, Rush. It is so difficult to lose a pet anytime, but especially when it’s been with you for so long.
R.I.P. Punkin.
I never thought of that. Thanks for my next Internet identity. < smile >
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.