A sudden onset of seizures led to a diagnosis of either a brain tumor or a rapidly progressing neurological disorder, and a firm resolve that since nothing could really be done for him, we would help him cross the Rainbow Bridge and not suffer any more.
At thirteen, with Puffy’s history of neurological deficits, there was no chance he would get better.
When we love our cats, it can be the best decision.
Because cats don’t have the same coping mechanisms we do. Humans cope with illness through seeing the bigger picture. They can look past present pain in a way cats, who live mostly in the Now, find more difficult to achieve.
Illness is difficult for cats on another level as well; they know they are not at their best, and this creates a defensive, despairing state of mind. If they are going to get better, we can support them through this period.
If they are not, we cannot.
So I will always miss Puffy. Mr WereBear and I will tell Puffy stories, fondly, the rest of our lives. He was that kind of cat; there was no shortage of Puffy stories.
James Bond and RJ know he is gone; they saw poor Puffy in difficulties, and were very kind to him. They touched noses with Puffy when he appeared. Mr. Bond would summon us when Puffy was having an episode.
RJ was usually understanding about Puffy’s bad social signals, though he did keep asking him to play. As he matured, RJ learned to interact with Puffy in a way Puffy could understand; here, he teaches Puffy how to get treats out of the puzzle box.
Don’t worry about us.
Don’t worry about Puffy.
He was a happy and well-loved cat. I got him because even as a gorgeous ball of fluff, he couldn’t find a home elsewhere. For an unwanted kitten with challenges, he made it to thirteen with very few bad days.
He was both wonderful and fortunate.
If you haven’t yet read my blog entry about him, there’s Puffy stories here.
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There’s more ways to get our cat to be affectionate in The Way of Cats than the article you are reading now. See all of my CAT AFFECTION posts.
I am so sorry.
They teach us so much, and no matter how long we have with them, it is never ever enough. Goodspeed, little friend.
No one who is remembered with great love is ever truly dead. Puffy had love and understanding and a peaceful, happy home that he kept for as long as he physically could. My deepest sympathies to you, his family.
My deepest condolences. Their time with us is all too short.
Puffy had a good life and a good end and he will be missed by the four of you and your readers. When some time has passed and the time is right will you consider getting another kitten or cat so once again you’ll have a trio of cats?
Shakatany’s last blog post..The Middleman
I am so sorry, I know it’s inevietable, I know it’s nature and as a buddhist I have come to believe in the wheel of life.
namaste to puffy and namaste to you and yours
Thank you all very much for your kind words. Yes, Naamah, it is never long enough, is it?
Yes, Shakatany, we are open to filling our unexpectedly open Slot with the right cat any time the right cat turns up. It will be a kitten, as RJ was; I don’t have the room for proper adult introductions, and it would be a boon for two year old RJ, since Mr. Bond is even more of a Gray Eminence at the age of 12, and so fond of RJ he is already happy with his cat companion situation.
The “conversion process” I worked upon Dear Husband is complete; he mentioned how we no longer have a Cat Civilization; and when a Civilization is devastated, of course the inhabitants rebuild.
True, Bill, Puffy left a print no other cat can fill. There’s no replacing him; but of course that’s not the impetus behind filling a Cat Slot. It’s no disservice to Puffy for us to give another cat a home; if we waited until we didn’t miss Puffy anymore, we never would!
I’m more of a Taoist than a Buddhist, (hence, The Way of Cats,) but thank you, Michael. It is the Wheel, and we cannot stop its turning. When a cat appears we do our best for them; as long as we are able.
These comments have been very helpful; not only in your condolences, but in making me realize that the concerns this unexpected and sorrowful event raises are universal dilemmas every Cat Appreciator must face.
I will be doing a lot of posts on the situation; it is one my readers have been asking for, and one I hope will spark sharing in the comments.
Gosh I am so sorry. It is always hard to lose one. You have a wonderful way of looking at this part of their lives, and just be thankful that we can peacefully put them over the rainbow bridge. They all are a huge part of our lives and leave us with different memories from each one. Super blog.
Oh man. I’m so sorry to hear about Puffy. It was a joy to read about him, and I will miss him even though we’d never met…
Puffy thanks you for making the right decision
Thank you, Margaret; no matter how many we have, it’s always the same each time, isn’t it?
Rae, your words make me very happy. It’s extraordinary how the Internet allowed Puffy to bring joy to others; especially since it’s unlikely he would have come out from under the bed to meet you in person! Perpetually shy unless someone lived with him, he nonetheless has done quite a bit to help other cats.
That’s a beautiful thought, Catlindy. And a true one. We always have to think of the cat in question; not ourselves.
I am so sorry to hear about Puffy. Through your blog, his lessons live on to help other cats like him. I have had several shy cats and lost one of them recently. Puffy reminds me of a cat I my family had when I was young.
I am sorry to hear about Puffy! I, too, have enjoyed reading your stories about him, and I have a soft spot for this socially awkward kitty who has benefitted so much from your loving home. You are right, he was a lucky cat! I hope the next kitty you get also needs some special understanding and love – you are just so unusually skilled at giving it!
Thank you, Mel. While Puffy won’t be generating new stories, we have plenty of old ones, and great memories. The lessons will go on!
Oh, Alina, thank you for sharing your Puffy soft spot. For a cat who couldn’t meet New People, he certainly had many fans. Just part of what made him special, in every way.
I am so sorry m’dear. I shed some tears- couldn’t help it. Those kitties just get a hold in our hearts and don’t let go. I’ve never had to make this decision, because all of the cats I’ve known before were “family cats”, and it wasn’t my decision to make. But, I’ve had several friends who’ve had to face this, and like you, made the never easy decision to let go- for the sake of the cat. One said “the look in her eyes told me it was time”. But they live on in our hearts. Puffy was one lucky cat to have found you. xo
Valley Girl’s last blog post..Cats in Movies- Orangey aka Rhubarb- The Incredible Shinking Man
Ah, Valley Girl, you’ve got me teary too. But it’s good for me.
When we are attuned to our cat, we can do the most amazing communication. So often with tough decisions, our ability to rationalize can get in the way of what we know is true.
Sad to hear. Puffy looks an awful lot like my Eddie, who also has his cognitive issues. In his case, I blame it on the blunt force trauma to the head that caused him to be found wandering the streets before I adopted him. He has a crushed ear, a big scar, and a mouth that doesn’t fit together quite properly.
He also has that sweet disposition, and no sense of territoriality. He matches your description of a gamma, though he’s not as confused, or as shy, as it sounds like Puffy was.
He’s the unlucky one, though. None of my other cats have ever been to the vet for anything but their shots. In addition to his unfortunate background, Eddie had kidney stones three years ago, and is now short a leg thanks to lymphoma of the skin, which, fortunately, doesn’t seem to have spread before we amputated.
I’ll think of Puffy when he snuggles tonight.
J. Michael Neal’s last blog post..Movie Trailer Mashups
Heavens, J, poor Eddie has been through it. Why always the sweetest ones?
I always felt Puffy was sweet despite his handicaps, not because of them, since cognitive issues can make a cat fearful and shy… and then paranoid.
Once we had Puffy’s trust, we had it.
Eddie is welcome to one of my favorite Puffy endearments, “you’re just my little pat of butter,” which he got in recognition of a melty soft heart.