I had to put down my beloved cat Stinky on Sunday.
I knew Stinkster had been sick for awhile; at least 3 years. He had kidney failure, a hyperthyroid, & an upper respitory infection--a triple whammy for a 15 year old furbaby. He'd had some 'episodes' the past few months and I knew his time was coming, but it doesn't make it anymore easier.
I'll skip the details on how I found him Sunday, but here's how I found him in August 1996. I got him from a vet who had walked up to the office that morning and found a box at his door containing a litter of kittens and a bigger cat who obviously was placed in the box after it was dropped off. I wanted boy kitties, so I took Stinky and the bigger cat. As it turns out, the bigger cat was only a few months older than Stinky (oh! That would be Mr. Meow-gi) and they've been as thick as thieves from beginning to end.
He got his name cause he'd fart if you picked him up and he didn't like you. And believe me, this cat can float an air biscuit.
Stinky & Mr. M have traveled with me for 15 years, through apartments, through boyfriends, a failed marriage... I even came home once and found my apartment screen popped open (by them) and realized they had gotten out. Luckily the next door neighbor found them and kept them for me. Either way, these two fur balls of fire have brought me a lot of entertainment and unconditional love for a long time, and I cherish them.
I brought another furbaby in with Hank. He's 3 now and I found him 3 years ago on the side of Groesbeck just north of 16 Mile Road in a puddle on a rainy day. Yes, all my pets have been rescues, but to me they have the perfect pedigree to receive love and a good home and so much more.
Stinky was an odd looking guy. He looked like he was always dishelved and he'd always been skinny, and he had the most oddly looking, long and thin tail. He was always beautiful to me. He would join me in my office, sitting on my work or wanting to sit on my lap while I was on the computer. Stinkers also had an affinity for bathtubs. He'd even climb and sit on the rim of the tub while I was having my bubble baths ('Stinky! It's baftime!') He was my buddy through and through.
He also liked to sleep on my pillow on my head, and more recently on B's pillow on B's head (probably cause he knew B was allergic to him.) I can also honestly say B is the only boyfriend I've had who's been allergic to cats... and he's the ones my kitties have been the coolest to. Especially Stinky.
I'm dealing, I'm coping. I feel like he's still here and isn't gone. Is that wierd? I also know he's on one side of the Rainbow Bridge, 'kooking out' against a tree or in a valley, begging for table scraps (seriously, what cats beg?), loving some catnip, and probably meeting up with Rookie and Osh Kosh (other family pets chillin' til we get there on our side). I keep second guessing my decision, keep seeing his eyes when they took him... but I know he was in pain. I was being selfish keeping him here. It's up to us as furparents to make the best decisions for them, to be their voice. I hope I've done my best for Stinky the past 15 years. When he's missed his box because of his kidney failure, I've simply said 'It's ok, bud. You keep poopin' and I'll keep cleanin'.' I've given in and made sure he's had plenty of canned food, dry food, rotisserie chicken, cheese, yogurt... whatever he's wanted. And love. Lots and lots of love.
So tonight, give your pet a little extra hug, a little extra treat. Pets are precious, they are our buds... unconditionally.
You'll be missed, Stinky. This is for you. It's your song... and I know you know it, bud. Miss you.
(Aerosmith has a song called 'Pink.' I came up with lyrics on the fly one day just for my furbuddy and renamed it 'Stink'. He somehow always responded to it when I sang it for him, silly kitty.)
Stink-is my little kitty.
Stink-likes to roll in his litty.
Stink-likes to lay on wet towels.
And Stink likes to clear out his bowels.
Stink-his brother is Emmy.
Stink- cause he is so very.
Stink- begs at the refrigarator.
And Stink is the cat flagulatorrrrr... Owwww!
Stink-it was love at first siiiiiight
Stink-when we turn out the liiiiiight
(and that's as far as I got... but it was ok with him.)
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