My dear friend has passed on

• Sykotyk

  

  I know by posting this I might get some flack. And I'm okay if those out there want to kick me when I'm down. But, today, the 14th, my pet cat, Quint, died at only six years of age. He had gotten sick, but was recovering nicely, and then took a turn and not realizing the severity, took him to the vet today for an appointment because he wasn't improving. I wasn't there. My wife, who had taken him in, wasn't there. She had work and he was put in the Vet's care for the weekend.
  
  I loved my cat. Like no other animal I've ever had. And it just hurts right now to know that he is gone. And, I keep thinking that, being a strictly indoor cat, that maybe he felt all alone in a cage at the vet's that he just had no hope left in his little body. That maybe he thought we had abandoned him in his final hour. He was there less than an hour before my wife got the call that he had passed.
  
  I loved him. Not because he was a pet. Or a companion. But, because I know he loved me, too. My wife and I found him on the side of the road as a kitten in Wellsburg, West Virginia one day coming home from Pittsburgh. He was next to a McDonald's and came to us the moment my wife called out, "Kitty." I didn't even see him, he was so small. But this little ball of yellowish orange and white fur bounded up the small hill toward her. Going through the drive thru at McDonald's we got him a Filet-o-Fish sandwich that we crushed up the fish for him and he was so hungry the little guy ate half of it. And then he just laid on me against my chest. His legs spread out. His little head nestled against my neck. He was purring. I had saved him. And for the rest of his life he never once failed to show me how great he felt I was to him.
  
  Already having four cats, we didn't think we could house another. Her mother didn't want another. Our friends didn't want anymore. I told my wife that if we take him home, he's ours. And so we started thinking up names. Our friend suggested "McFish". But, driving up Adams in Steubenville, I thought, "Why not Quint? He is our fifth." And from that day forward, he was Quint. It just fit him. Sure, we've given him other nicknames along the way, but Quint was his namesake and he became a part of our household.
  
  He fit in great with the other four. And eventually with the two newer cats we adopted along the way. But there was something special about him to me. The first three were my wife's cats. Our fourth was 'ours', but he hated me. He was always jealous of anytime I was, or am, close to my wife. But, Quint loved me. He followed me like a little fluffy shadow about the house. He would sit on my lap on the couch watching TV. He would lay on the bed next to me during the night. He would sit on my desk at the computer. He would be looking out the window or waiting at the door when I got home.
  
  And he always made you pick him up. He'd come up to the couch and stand against the edge to look if there were room. Gesturing for him to come up, he'd start rocking back and forth like he wanted to jump, but wouldn't. Then he'd stick out both paws up into the air and let his chest rest against the edge of the couch and every time I'd lift him by his torso up onto my stomach and chest where he always stayed stretched out, his head on my shoulder. He'd lay like that with me for hours while watching TV. Purring softly into my ear as I petted him down his head and spine.
  
  When he jumped, he always make these 'squeak' sounds as my wife called them. And when he went to lay his head down, or settle down after curling up on the couch, the bed, the floor, the stereo, the cable box, the toilet seat, etc he always let out a long sigh as if his life was just so difficult being so pampered. We'd always tell him, "Oh, you have such a tough life, don't you?" and he'd roll to his side to be petted and start purring.
  
  He had this thick coat of long white and light orange fur that we dubbed him "Yellow Fur" as it blended well.
  
  I knew this day would come. But, I never would've thought it'd come so soon. I thought I'd have maybe a decade more with him. But, just like that, he's gone. All I have are memories and photos. I've never had a cat like him. And I don't know how I'd ever have another. Of the six I have left, none are like him. He was my boy. The closest thing I'll have to a son, I've said. For reasons I'm not going to get into. And it hurts so much right now knowing I'll never see him again. I'll never hear him purr again. And I'll never have the feeling of that little ball of fur that loved me so unconditionally lying on my chest and shoulder as he falls asleep.
  
  Quint. I'll miss you.
  
  2006 One of the earliest pics I can find of him.
  
  2007 Sprawled out on the desk.
  
  2010 In bed after I already woke up.
  
  2011 Last photo I ever took of him from May. I still can't believe I didn't take anything more recently than this, or of better quality. But, this is how I'll always remember him. Sitting with me.
  
  
  Anyways. To those that read this. Thank you. To those that will either surely insult me or at the least roll their eyes at a grown man crying over their deceased cat, you'll never know what it's like. The only way to love something is for it to hurt when you lose it.
• I Am Ahab

  I didn't read your novel, but sorry for your loss bud. Pets can definately become one of the fam and it's hardwhen you lose one. Best wishes.
• sportchampps

  im sorry man
• dwccrew

  

  It's tough when your pus sy is gone.
• Heretic

  

  My condolences. I have two who are either 7 or 8 (I suck at remembering dates and can't remember if, back when I was married, we got them when we moved where I'm living now or the year after...crap, had to look at dissolution papers just to remember when I got married...), so how young your cat was kinda hit hard. Especially since both of mine are pretty much in that "my son" role that yours was.
• Red Lady

  When we lose a pet that is sooo extra special, it feels like a knife plunged into the heart. This short poem has given me comfort in the past - hope it does the same for you.
  
  Grieve not
  Nor speak of me with tears,
  But laugh and talk of me
  As if I were beside you.
  I loved you so;
  Twas heaven here with you.
  
  Isla Paschal Richardson
  
• I Wear Pants

  That sucks. I have some really old cats so I've been preparing myself for that shit to happen. The oldest is at least 16 but she shows no signs of being old (knock on wood).
• dlazz

  Losing a pet is tough.
• Glory Days

  

  You sure Boristhecrusher didnt sneak into the vet after you left?
• derek bomar

  

  cats suck. get a dog. hope this helps
• Trueblue23

  

  I really don't like cats.
  
  
  Sorry dude.
• Mr Miyagi

  

  cats are Miyagi's best seller at the Wok, we call it sesame chicken.
• HitsRus

  

  Sorry for your loss. My pets are like family too. I have a ten year old cat that adopted us on a snowy winter nite. He was just a kitten, and has turned into such a people person. Recently he got sick and the vet couldn't find out what was wrong and the bills were piling up at the animal hospital. Long story short...he got better,,and we never even blinked at the size of the bill...we were just glad he got better and is still here.
  
  I did read your story and I know how much you are hurting.
• BR1986FB

  Sorry for your loss, man. I'm a cat person and have more than you could even imagine (friend of nearly all strays). I've lost two (both kittens) and it was very hard. Since I've never had my own children, nor do I ever plan to, I consider them my "kids." It can be very devastating. I feel for you more than you know. I don't look forward to that day because we could lose them in groups/bunches and it will hit hard. My condolences.
• Sonofanump

  Will be taking ours to the vet on Monday for the last time. Her kidneys are shot and she is laying around and not being active.
• FatHobbit

  

  That was a sad story. I'm sorry for your loss. But it sounds like he had a great life while he was here and he really appreciated you.
• GoJPM!

  

  A lot of people find that the best way to get over the loss of a pet is to get a new one. Get a lab! Nice dogs, easy going, laid back. Cats are hit and miss, imo. Had one for 17 years and was a great pet. The current one is a feral, I swear. My girlfriend bought it at Petsmart. Worst $400 ever spent. Really, really don't like it and it's only four years-old (it was about year-old when she bought it). Has a lot of bad habits and just can't break it of them. Cats are pretty much untrainable after about six months so you get one a year-old, it is what it is.
• Sykotyk

  

  Thanks to everyone. I needed to let that out last night. It was eating me up inside. I still can't get over that he's gone. And GoJPM, I've thought about getting another. But, I can't devout as much time to a new cat as I did with him. My work schedule just doesn't allow it. I had already built that relationship with Quint, that I just don't have time for with a new kitten. He accepted I wasn't available as much now as I was then. Which, again goes back to why I feel so horrible. I expected him to be there when I was able to be around home much more. Where he and I could just lounge on the couch or sit at my desk together.
  
  And, those plans, those selfish plans are just gone. He didn't live long enough for me to 'get through this current work' for things to go back the way they were. Like the song, Cats in the Cradle, I just kept putting him off as if he'd always be there for me when I had the time. Not realizing that it was he who didn't have the time and now I just feel like I took him for granted. That maybe the last time I saw him I could've held him longer. But, I didn't. Because I didn't know.
  
  I'm just sad. I try not to be. I had fun today. But, then my mind wanders back to my fluffy little friend who's no longer there....
• bradmaynard

  

  Just let it roll man. Last month I had to put down the family cat I had been around since I was three. It will suck for about three more days then you'll convince yourself you two gave it a hell of a run and everything will be back to normal.
• HitsRus

  

  I'd give yourself some time before you get another cat. No one is going to just like your old friend. Take some time to grieve. You'll know when it's time to get another.
• ksig489

  My wife and I have 4 cats...all with very distinct personalities but NONE of them have the stereotypical snobbish cat attitude. All 4 know their names and come to us when called. We have a room for them at night and when we say its bedtime they all run in without a fuss.
  
  One of them is clearly my favorite and he rarely leaves my side. I would be torn apart if something happened to him.
  
  Thoughts and prayers are with you!
• 4cards

  

  ...I miss my cat still and it's been 2+ years since we had to have her put down.
  
  She (Lila) was a Russian Blue that looked just like this...
  
  
• dwccrew

  

  The banner ad for this thread is pretty funny.
• Sykotyk

  

  4cards;935691 wrote:...I miss my cat still and it's been 2+ years since we had to have her put down.
  
  She (Lila) was a Russian Blue that looked just like this...
  
  

  I'm sorry to hear that about Lila.
  
  The thing is, I've had quite a few cats in my life. But none like Quint. And none that I've taken their loss so hard. Some weren't unexpected. Some where catastrophic. But, they were sadness only. Never grief. I've had Noball (I was three, and couldn't pronounce the 'S', watched as he was hit by a car), Mittens (never came home), Tiger (died at the vet's after over 10 years old), Bonehead (never came home one day), Ace (was hit by a car, but managed to come home to die on our back step), Emerald (never came home one day), Jazz (was co-adopted by a neighbor down the road, showed up one afternoon wearing a collar, then had 2 homes, would spend days away before hanging around our house for a few days, just never showed up again eventually), and Amal (died unexpectedly as a kitten, caught something and it was just a day or two later). All of them were outdoor cats when I was a kid out in the country. Raccoons were a problem, especially with kittens we had thanks to Tiger and Mittens (unspayed females). I didn't have any more cats until I met my wife. She had three: Harley, Mister, and Bibb. Then we adopted Patches. Found Quint. Then we adopted Ludwig (deaf), and Lego (3 legs, the one rear leg was amputated). So, we still have six. I love them all. But, none were Quint. And I don't think I can go out and try and adopt a replacement.
• dlazz

  Sykotyk;936252 wrote: Some where catastrophic.

  I see what you did there.
  
  If you look into getting a new cat, you should adopt one. I got mine from the Cat Welfare Center here in Columbus and couldn't be happier.