Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Tuppence


Tuppence has a series of strokes yesterday and I had to take her to the vet. When the time came for the appointment, she was breathing but gone. The vet gently put her to sleep. I stayed with her until the end and then brought her body home.
She was a very good cat and a part of the family for 17 years. Even my eldest who is 18 1/2 cannot remember life without her. Luckily he had not left for Russia and so was able to be here for the burial.

Her sister, Penny has mouth ulcers which probably means chronic kidney failure. ( I made the mistake of looking the symptoms up in a cat book and she is on Metacam for her arthritis which is hard on the kidneys) I shall be taking her to the vet today. Hopefully, the vet will decide that she can do something. But I do know it would be a matter of weeks or months. Days and it will be ever so hard.
There remains the question of how she will cope without her sister. After she goes, then we will get two new cats as I would hate to be without cats.

They were from the RSPCA and had been found in a plastic sack. They were in and out of the vets as kittens. Tuppence, for example, because she was starving ate too much and her stomach could not cope. But they rapidly grew healthy and survived. Tuppence could tell time, and if her dinner was late by even five minutes, she meowed -- very long and very loudly. She used to sleep on the sofa in my study. At one point, we moved the sofa to go under the window and she decided this was not to her liking so stopped coming in. When we moved the sofa back to the original place, she immediately came in, patted the wall, curled up and went to sleep. Everything was right in her world again.
Losing a pet is awful. There is no easy way to put it. Pets age quicker but they give so much love and affection.

16 comments:

Kate Walker said...

You know how much I understand. I was in just this situation year ago and it is so very hard. But Penny and Tuppence have had such lovely long cat-lives with you.

Give Penny some strokes from me and I hope the vet can help.

Kate

Anonymous said...

((((Michelle and family)))) It is like losing a member of the family. Take comfort in that they've had a lovely home and 17's a wonderful age for them to have reached.

Sue x

Judy Jarvie said...

I can totally relate Michelle and it is an awful time. Many huge hugs to you and your family. Cats bring so much wonderful love, character and fun to a home.
Hugs and special hugs for Penny
Judy

Nell Dixon said...

Hugs to you and all the family, it's so hard to lose a friend.

Unknown said...

Aww sweetie I completely understand. Hugs on Tuppence and stroke Penny for me.

Biddy xx

Jen Black said...

A sad time. Jen

Kate Hardy said...

Big hugs, Michelle.

Anna Adams said...

Hugs to you and yours, Michelle.

Phillipa said...

Hugs Michelle. We had to make the same decision last summer with a rabbit we'd had for ten years. I know we shouldn't have been upset but we were. Pets really are part of the family.

Donna Alward said...

Hugs to you on Tuppence and Penny. Seventeen years is a long, wonderful time, but hard to let go.

Lucy King said...

Hugs, Michelle, such a hard time.

Carrie Lofty said...

I feel for you, Michelle. Seeing them grow old and die is a heartbreak, but I simply cannot imagine my life without cats. One is on my lap right now, being a dear pest. My thoughts are with you, in your grief and as you move on to bring new lovies into your lives.

Unknown said...

Big Hugs.
lx

LindaC said...

Hugs to you and the family on the loss of Tuppence. Take heart in the thought that she was well loved and that you did all that you could. You gave her a great life. Sending healing thoughts for Penny.

LindaC

Liz Fielding said...

(((Michelle)))

I once had a cat called Tuppence, too, a stray named because none of us gave tuppence for her chances. She moved in and her kitten, Rocky, was my last, much missed cat.

Your Tuppence has had a lovely long life with a fabulous family. I really hope Penny pulls through the nastiness. Sending soothing catnip thoughts in her direction.

Unknown said...

So so sorry, Michelle. We've just made that hateful trip to the vet and, although we'd only had our cat a few months, it's just awful. Losing a pet is absolutely heartbreaking. The house feels so empty even if, like us, you've got another four in residence.

Sending lots of hugs to you, the family and Penny.