10:33 AM May 30, 2006 | Comments (3)
Where's the kitty?
This passed Friday, at the start of the holiday weekend, I made the choice to put my beloved 16 year old cat to sleep. Tyler had been ailing for several months and though the vet and I tried everything, he just kept getting weaker and loosing more weight. He was a big-framed cat, very long and sleek, but in the end, just barely 5 pounds. He'd had an overactive thyroid for years and was on medication for that, intestinal issues and food allergies but in the end it was pancreatitis and kidney disease that we couldn't overcome.
They say a dog is man's best friend but in my case mine was Tyler. Tyler has been the best pet I've ever had and he was fiercely loyal. He definitely wasn't your stereotypical aloof cat. He greeted me at the door each night when I came home. He'd wake up from a cat nap and realize no one was in the room anymore and he'd cry till he found out where we went. He slept at the foot of my bed (or often fought me over my pillow). He even came when called. If you asked “where's the kitty?” he invariably strolled next to you and meowed as if to say “here I am!” He missed me when I was gone and would get depressed as soon as he saw me pull a suitcase out of the closet. He didn't begrudge it too much when I brought a newcomer into the house (his sister Emma). He tolerated her as long as she knew he was boss (something she wasn't too sure she agreed with) and as long as she understood that when it came for vying for my attention, he was king and she could take a hike.
Emma and I have been a bit lost around the house these past few days. She's confused and keeps looking for Tyler and I just plain old miss him. Of course, he's probably in heaven right now being pampered by my mom, who was always his second favorite for attention.
Rest in peace, Tyler. I miss you!
