Lost someone special

[Blue_Runner]

I knew he didn't have a ton of time left with us but I also didn't expect it to happen this soon. My whole family is mourning the loss of our beloved cat Stinker who was right at 14 years old. We got Stinker and his sister Little girl just after moving into our house in 1997. Our first child Carrie came along about 6 months later, so we have had these 2 cats for longer than we've had our 11yo and 13yo daughters. The kids were born knowing these cats so needless to say, losing Stinker has been rough for the kids. Stinker had many nicknames, Stinkman, Stinky Bottoms, Stink, and even Steve as my oldest daughter liked to call him. A couple of things that made Stinker very special - Stinker never met a stranger, was not afraid of anything on this earth including big dogs, and loved to sit up - standing on his hind legs to get his head rubbed. We are very blessed to have had these 2 cats for so long especially when you consider they spit their time between inside and outside.

When I got home from work yesterday I noted that Stinker was not there to greet me. I didn't think much of it but later I started to get concerned so I looked in every closet in the house to be sure no one accidentally shut him up somewhere. After having no luck there I went out to call for him but nothing. I was getting more concerned but still thought he'd probably show up by morning. Later in the evening I went outside to do some honey-do's and had an urge to walk around the new building with the flashlight looking for Stinker. I found him laying right there beside the building next to a pile of dirt. He'd been there for probably a day. No signs of trauma except a tiny bit of blood around his nostrils. There were also no signs of a struggle of any kind. He did have feline AIDS for about the last 2 or 3 years but he appeared to be in fine shape for his age. So now his sister is the only cat left. Who knows how long she might be with us.

Here are some pics of Stinker. The first is my all-time favorite. So long old buddy.....you will be sorely missed but never forgotten.

[macojoe]

Sorry for your lost!!! My cat just turned 13 so I know how you feel!! Mr. Biggles looks alot like the Stinker!

[RWilson2526]

Bummer Blue.....fortunately with my recent die off the kids are still young enough were after I tell them that so and so died they go "aww thats too bad...can we geat a guinnea pig?"

Looks like he was a HUGE cat , not much of a consolation but I like the way he went out. Makes it easier on you guys.

[Blue_Runner]

Thanks RW and MJ. MJ I remember Mr. Biggles from other pics you have posted. He looks like he was popped from the same mold as Stinker. RW you are probably right. Having to put him down would have been 10x worse.

[Destroyer]

We lost our Purrie not long ago pretty much the same way... She died of stomach cancer... was fine all her life, then started breathing heavy. took her to the vets, he told us the worse after some tests, took her home and was trying to think of how I could afford to pay $6000 for the operation that would not really do anything but buy some extra time. She slept on my stomach that night..in the morning she was under my favorite chair in the living room, gone. It's like she made the decision for us. You have my sympathy for your loss Blue.

[randlemanboater]

Sorry for your loss BR.

I still expect my old cat to greet me when I get home and he's been gone 2 years....had him for 18 years.

[Monkey Butler]

Blue Raunner,

Sorry for your loss. I thought I'd never say that about a cat but...

Let me relate this story to you, I hope it cheers you up some.

I am not a cat person, as a matter my usual demeanor is more that I detest cats. Oh, I like and own a dog and I am pretty alleric to cats to boot.

The last big snow storm that we had as I was running my snow blower a cat that I had seen a couple of times in the late fall darted up and down my driveway a few times. FYI the snow at this point was at least 2 to 3 feet. Later as I was putting the snow blower away in the garage I can't remember who approached who first but somehow I wound up scratching the cats head and she started wrapping herself around my legs like a snake.

I'm pretty sure that she is a feral cat from the dairy farm up the road. She was starving and dehydrated I think.

Long story short, she is now sleeping on a heating pad on top of an office chair in my garage. We have draped a towel over the back and arms to make a sort of heated tent which she really seems to have taken to.

Like I said, I don't like cats but this thing has personality and cracks me up. It comes out to greet me every night when I get home from work and as long as I wash my hands afterward no allegy problems so far. Lke someone else said she will walk on her hind legs for attention, what a riot.

We are going to try to bring her in the house this weekend to see if she and our dog can co-exist and if me and my daughter can deal with our allergies but long term she likely needs another permanent home.

Anyone want to see pictures?

[reelapeelin]

Originally Posted by Monkey Butler

Blue Raunner,

Sorry for your loss. I thought I'd never say that about a cat but...

Let me relate this story to you, I hope it cheers you up some.

I am not a cat person, as a matter my usual demeanor is more that I detest cats. Oh, I like and own a dog and I am pretty alleric to cats to boot.

The last big snow storm that we had as I was running my snow blower a cat that I had seen a couple of times in the late fall darted up and down my driveway a few times. FYI the snow at this point was at least 2 to 3 feet. Later as I was putting the snow blower away in the garage I can't remember who approached who first but somehow I wound up scratching the cats head and she started wrapping herself around my legs like a snake.

I'm pretty sure that she is a feral cat from the dairy farm up the road. She was starving and dehydrated I think.

Long story short, she is now sleeping on a heating pad on top of an office chair in my garage. We have draped a towel over the back and arms to make a sort of heated tent which she really seems to have taken to.

Like I said, I don't like cats but this thing has personality and cracks me up. It comes out to greet me every night when I get home from work and as long as I wash my hands afterward no allegy problems so far. Lke someone else said she will walk on her hind legs for attention, what a riot.

We are going to try to bring her in the house this weekend to see if she and our dog can co-exist and if me and my daughter can deal with our allergies but long term she likely needs another permanent home.

Anyone want to see pictures?

Pictures would be great, but a trip to the vet for shots and exam would be good too...hate to sound like a hard-@$$, but any animal can carry any number of things you don't want to expose your dog and family members to...I'd do the vet trip prior to acclimating w/the family dog...JMHO...

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by reelapeelin

Pictures would be great, but a trip to the vet for shots and exam would be good too...hate to sound like a hard-@$$, but any animal can carry any number of things you don't want to expose your dog and family members to...I'd do the vet trip prior to acclimating w/the family dog...JMHO...

Not to hijack the thread, but in response to Monkey Butler and Reelapeelin's posts:

Well, I love dogs, but right now I don't have one. Had to put my last one down and haven't really gotten over it yet.. I'll get there eventually. Having just said that, I do have 5 indoor and 2 outdoor cats right now... and have had cats for as long as I can remember.. at least the last 50 years.. (really). I have to agree with Reel on the trip to the vets. It just makes a lot of sense, and it's a lot safer for all concerned. Also, if she's gonna stay around you need to check your towns laws about rabies vacinations. In my town cats, just like dogs, are required to get shots and have a license. (Ya, I know, I know, some towns are just really stupid in their laws).

You're a lucky person Monkey.. you don't adopt a cat, they adopt you. It's rare for a feral stray to take to a human. So if she's taken with your scent and lives in your garage she's gonna love you for all her life. You shouldn't have any problem with your dog in the house... Maybe your dog will have problems, but that's another story. Just keep her fed, and she'll love you like the dickens. Mature cat.. a bowl full of dry catfood.. she'll take what she needs.. half a can of wet food a day in a different bowl... Also a well filled water bowl. They don't need much. Oh, and unless you let her out, a clean litter pan. Once it's filled up she'll look for other places to poop. As long as the pan is semi-clean there will never be a problem. And for the love of Pete, if you're gonna keep her.. get her fixed... otherwise you'll have lots more cats in your garage before next winter. (Take that last one to the bank).

Any problems, send me a PM.

[Monkey Butler]

Reel and Destroyer.

I hear ya. I have a couple of good folks who may want to adopt. I am insisting that they take her/him/it? to the vet first. Not sure of the sex but it seems like a "she" and I bought a pink flea collar so...

If that doesn't work out I'm thinking I'll take her to the vet for a check up and whatever shots she needs and if she has a good bill of health I'll make arrangements to get her fixed before spring.

Let me ask, do you think it is humane and wise to let the cat become a "shop cat"? She seems more than happy with the living arrangements and I could do witout the field mice and chipmunks but I've never had a pet that didn't live in the house with me.

I don't want to do the cat an injustice to make myself feel good. BTW, just checked with my DMM probe, outside temp 21 degrees, temp under the cat tent, 86 degrees, temp in my house, 62 degrees.