“What greater gift than the love of a cat.”
I knew yesterday that Fern wasn’t doing well. It was my hope that she would bounce back the way she had in the past. It didn’t happen. Last night she could barely stand up. I had to carry her. She wouldn’t eat even her favorites. She couldn’t walk to the cat box. I was afraid it was time to say goodbye.
I brought Fern to the 24-hour veterinary clinic where the vet confirmed my fears.
I told Fern what a great and funny cat she had been, and I thanked her. I held her at the end so she’d know how much she had been loved.
October 29, 2016 at 3:38 am
So sorry to find this news in my in box. I’m sure Fern knew she’d been loved and well cared for all these years and only hid from time to time to keep things interesting. I’m just glad she decided to wait to make her grand exit until after you’d returned from Ghana. I dedicate this tune to Fern with thanks for all the love and companionship she provided you.
October 29, 2016 at 10:25 am
im6,
My dad always said he’d want to come back as an animal in any of his family’s houses.
I am also so glad she waited until I got home. When I was in Ghana, I worried, but because I heard nothing, I figured she was okay.
Fern would have loved this song but would have taken issue with only a year of the cat. For Fern it was the lifetime of the cat!
October 29, 2016 at 11:26 am
https://youtu.be/wGyFGygBTws?t=4
October 29, 2016 at 12:16 pm
Gnu,
Now these songs I remember well!
October 29, 2016 at 6:05 am
Oh Kat,
I just read this and I am so sorry for the loss of Fern.
The year of the cat is a perfect song. I know you must be missing Fern right now, and we send our love to you.
Lori and the Crew.
October 29, 2016 at 10:26 am
Thank you, Lori
I know you too have had the loss of a kitty so you know how it feels.
I think we are all missing Fern.
October 29, 2016 at 6:10 am
Kat, I’m so sorry. Sending you and the rest of your household my love. It’s the cruelest part of being loved by an animal having to let them go.
October 29, 2016 at 10:27 am
sprite,
That is so true. Our loved animals never stay long enough.
I knew last night the vet would tell me it was time. I owed it to Fern.
October 29, 2016 at 7:06 am
I’m so sorry to hear about Fern, a painful decision. She had a good life. All the best and take your time.
October 29, 2016 at 10:30 am
Birgit,
She did have a good life; she was loved and pampered.
She loved Gracie. Gracie was a perfect foil for her. Fern would sit at the top of the stairs s Gracie would stay at the bottom. Big dog ruled by a cat!
October 29, 2016 at 7:15 am
I know what that’s like. I’m thinking of you.
October 29, 2016 at 10:30 am
Rowen,
Thank you! It is never easy saying goodbye.
October 29, 2016 at 7:27 am
Sad news but you did the right thing to end her suffering. I’ve had to do the same thing to our last three dogs. They give us so much joy we owe them a peaceful and painless end.
October 29, 2016 at 10:31 am
Bob,
I know it was the right thing, but that didn’t make it any easier for me. You are so right. I owed Fern a peaceful end. She deserved that dignity.
October 29, 2016 at 9:48 am
A great friend and loyal partner.
Sorry for your loss.
MT C
October 29, 2016 at 10:32 am
MT C,
Thank you! Fern was almost 18. I was lucky having her all these years. She was a great cat!
October 29, 2016 at 11:09 am
I’m so sorry!
We know the day will come but it’s still so painful.
Christer.
October 29, 2016 at 12:16 pm
Christer,
That is so true. We know the day will come, but we dread it anyway.
Thanks!
October 29, 2016 at 1:04 pm
Pisser. Xoxox
October 29, 2016 at 1:21 pm
Exactly, My Dear Hedley!
October 29, 2016 at 1:17 pm
As house-mates to two cats and a people who have gone through this loss, know that we share your heartbreak and join in your celebration of the wonderful years you’ve had with Fern.
October 29, 2016 at 1:25 pm
Thank you, Bob and Ann,
Fern was one funny cat. She would sit on the threshold of my room so the dog couldn’t pass. She’d go from one side to the other on my bed to keep Gracie, the dog, off. She even had the nerve to take a nap in the sun in Gracie’s crate. I hate that my animals are getting old. Maddie, my other cat, will be 18 and Gracie, my boxer, will be 12. We’ll all miss her.
October 29, 2016 at 1:17 pm
Oh Kat, I am so sorry. Thinking of you. xxxx
October 29, 2016 at 1:22 pm
Thanks, Annie. I can use all the good thoughts!
October 29, 2016 at 4:55 pm
Oh Kathy. I am so very sorry. She was well loved
October 29, 2016 at 5:35 pm
Thanks, Pat
Fern wasn’t spoiled-she just deserved the best!!
October 29, 2016 at 5:39 pm
I’m so sorry for your loss. I am glad you could hold her.
October 29, 2016 at 5:47 pm
Thanks, Cuidado.
I am so glad I was with her telling her how much she was loved.
October 29, 2016 at 5:47 pm
I am so sorry for your loss Kat.
October 29, 2016 at 5:52 pm
Thanks, splendid,
The house is just so quiet without Fern.
October 30, 2016 at 12:05 pm
Kat, I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s a sad and difficult decision to have to make.
Be comforted in knowing that you gave her a wonderful life and she left you with many wonderful memories.
October 30, 2016 at 12:16 pm
Thanks, Caryn,
I keep looking for her. Not to see her on the bed this morning seemed strange. Gracie licked me and wagged her stub so she was making up for our loss. It was best for Fern.
October 30, 2016 at 5:56 pm
https://youtu.be/5tVZJeZ55W0?t=5
October 30, 2016 at 6:15 pm
Gnu,
You’re still in my era!! This time it is high school.
October 31, 2016 at 12:25 am
The baseball season will continue Tuesday night in Cleveland for at least one more game and the Cowboys beat the Eagles in overtime. It’s trick or treat tomorrow night. And, only ten more days until this nightmare Presidential election will be over and Trump will hopefully go back to what he knows best golf clubs, hotels and beauty pageants.
October 31, 2016 at 10:39 am
Bob,
I don’t know if I can take any more political nonsense or one more Trump harangue.
The Cubs still have a chance. The Sox came back from 3-0 to beat the Yankees in 2004.
October 31, 2016 at 10:54 am
https://youtu.be/PD-FA6GDYv8?t=107
October 31, 2016 at 11:00 am
Gnu,
It is always so much fun to be scared!
November 1, 2016 at 9:11 pm
Oh, Kat, I’m so sorry. Been there… been through that, 3X with my dogs. Remember the good memories. Hang in there. It’s rough.
November 1, 2016 at 10:59 pm
Thanks, Jay
I keep expecting her to jump on the bed and sleep with the dog and me. She was a funny cat, a bit feisty but always loving.
Fern is in the backyard with two of my dogs and two cats. She’s in great company.