Say hello to Puddles!

I decided one fine morning in 2019 (April 1st) that I was ready for a little companion as I had just moved into a bigger place and always loved cats but never had one of my own. The visit to the humane society was atypical in that she flat out chose me. I sat down in a community room at the adoptoption facility and before I knew it, this cat that I had spotted from across the facility was in my lap demanding her rightful pets, to which I happily obliged. A few papers signed and boom the rest is history! She was “3” when I adopted her. Over the years she helped me overcome great personal growth, life changes, mental health struggles, and accepted my now wife as one of her people, extending the deep and tender love she bore for me, to her as well.

Puddles had been having chronic episodes of not eating and inflammation issues that vets never seemed too concerned about as labs always seemed ok, and that all came to a head about a month ago, when she stopped eating regularly, but this time didnt bounce back after a few days. After several rounds of vet visits, we thought we had a plan to get her sorted out and back to normal. Sadly, it wasnt to last. After a vet visit Tuesday, she went in for an updated nausea shot on Friday, and by then she’d lost half a pound and was showing signs of Jaundice despite our efforts to keep her eating. By the afternoon she’d been through the emergency vet who confirmed that she had some sort of acute intestinal inflammation and hospitalization was a possible route, but not likely to change the severity of her outcome as she was still suffering from swelling and inflammation that seemed severe compared to just 3 days ago. They feared it was likely cancer. After discussing it for a bit, we made the difficult decision to say our final goodbyes today. From Friday, through to her final breaths Sunday, we had an amazing time, full of pets, chicken wings, and all of the love we could offer, and this morning she hopped up on the bed, nuzzled in between my wife and I, and told us with her nuzzles and purrs, that it was her time to go. We found a service that performs this procedure in home, and at 12:20pm today, she said her final goodbyes. I am beyond devastated, and feel her absence in my every breath, but I know that the decision I made, was for her, not for me. She will no longer face the chronic ailment that plagued her these last few months and she left this world,on her favorite blanket, in the arms of her favorite people. It was never truly known how old she was, but the vets all estimated her at 13-15, and I am so privileged to have given that sweet angel 7 years of peace, safety, and unconditional love. Its going to be a long road until I feel whole again, but I wanted to share my story about how I lost my special little pal. I love you Puddles, and I gave you the best life that I knew how to give, and I know that was enough for you.