she came to us three years ago, living on our back porch after being sighted in the neighbours woodpile and fed out the kitchen window.
when blackie died in 2014, she eventually made the move inside, starting behind the the couch and finally making her way into my bedroom. that is basically where she stayed, except for eating and going to the bathroom outside.
she was a constant companion, "helping" in the photographing of many items. she wasnt much of a player, didnt really know how to play except she loved the catnip mice. she slept on my bed every night and most of the day, and its a shock to the system not seeing her there anymore.
she had a stroke late wednesday night. she had been fine, eating sausage off my plate and hissing at tippy only hours before. she went back to bed for a sleep, and it was when she woke up that i realised something was seriously wrong.
we took her to the vet right away, and then i basically sat up with her all night, keeping her comfortable and trying to ease her distress. she couldnt stand very well, or walk, and her head was on an angle. i left her in the care of mum thursday while i went to work.
she was alert, and knew me when i got home from work, making the effort to get up and struggle a few steps towards me. i spent a couple hours lying with her and bawling, saying goodbye.
she had made no improvement, had actually got a little worse, so we made the right choice. even as i type this, im crying, but then i think of her struggling for however much longer and that helps soothe the pain.
she may well have lived for a while like this, but she couldnt move properly and it was distressing to watch, plus she couldnt toilet herself since she couldnt stand long enough.
i hated seeing it be done, but the alternative was worse. she deserved a kind death after a hard life. im just glad she wasnt a stray still when this happened. she would have suffered greatly.
we brought her home, wrapped in her blanket, and laid her to rest with everyone else.
yesterday also marked the 11th anniversary of a friends passing. she would have been 31 years old, as it was her birthday too. i hope the two are looking after each other.