The last Good Bye

My Rocky Rock Star crossed the Rainbow Bridge this morning at 11:15 am. I had a house call vet, Dr. Ross from Raynham, come to the house so Rocky could make the trip peacefully. It was the best decision ever. Rocky was asleep when she came in. He woke up and she petted him and talked to him. He seemed to like her and was very relaxed. She gave him the first shots right there in bed and he just went to sleep. She then gave him the last and final shot and his heart stopped. It was the most peaceful and gentle euthanasia I’ve ever experienced and I’ve had to do this for a number of my pets. I will never have it done in a Vet’s office again!

Rocky

Rocky was a pretty amazing cat. Right from the first he was a fighter. Rocky was born feral and a neighbor’s young son found him when he was a tiny kitten. I saw the son throwing something up in the air and catching it like a ball. As I watched I realized it was a tiny animal. I went racing outside to intervene and the kid threw the creature into a shopping cart. It was so tiny it fell through the grid to the ground. The tiny creature stood up, shook his head and meowed. Then it did that wobbly kitty walk right up to me. That was my introduction to Rocky.

Named after Rocky Balboa

Rocky isn’t much of a cat name. But I had to think on my feet. When I took the little scruff of fur to the vet to get checked out he wouldn’t treat him until I named him. All I could think of was the scene from the Rocky movie where poor beat up Rocky is calling for Adrienne. That’s what it felt like the kitten had done when he came to me after falling out of the shopping cart so Rocky he became.

My Rocky Rock Star

Even as a tiny kitten Rocky knew his name and came to me when called. That was good because he got himself in some pretty crazy predicaments. If he couldn’t get to me he would meow so I was always able to find him. Rocky was good with other cats and until fairly recently he was always in a multi-cat household. He would play fetch, walk on a leash, ride in a baby carriage and greet me at the door when I came home. And boy if I was late or when I’d been away I’d hear about it. He had a very loud meow to scold me with.

When I had my hip replaced Rocky never left me. My Pet Sitter would come in to feed him and take care of him while I was immobile. She’d always say “Where is my little man” and I’d point to my lap. He was my buddy until the end.

It was time

Although medicine helped Rocky along, he actually died of Chronic Renal Failure. Not uncommon in senior cats. He was in pain and on fluids. He was barely eating and drinking. It just wasn’t a good quality of life. He deserved so much more. It was time to let him go. I will miss you my Rocky-poo. You will always be my Rocky Rock Star.

Smokey and I have an appointment this morning. His tumor has grown to the point that he is drooling long, strings of drool. He is eating but I don’t see him drinking much. I make sure he has wet food, the kind with the gravy, and he eats baby food from a spoon. It’s my feeble attempt to keep him hydrated. He still climbs onto my lap for cuddles and I do my best to gently dry his chest hair and comb out the matted tangles caused by the drool.

He never opens his eyes wide anymore and he has stopped playing. He watches the other 2 cats with interest while they play but doesn’t try to join in. His mouth must be causing him pain because he tries not to put his head down on his paws. It’s sad to see him trying to prop his head on the edge of a pillow or side of the cat bed. He sits or stands on my lap for hours but won’t lie down and rest his head.

I swear he has lost more weight. He is a skeleton with hair. I cry for what he’s going through and I cry for what I have to do. I need to give him his release. We’ll visit the vet for the last time today.