Saying a Sad “Goodbye”

Today is a sad day on our journey. We had to say Goodbye to Sirius this afternoon. The cutest, sweetest little black kitten ever!

Back in April we took him to the OSU Vet Hospital to see if they could figure out what was wrong with him – he hadn’t been well the whole time we’ve had him and our vet had suspicions, but no diagnosis. So, they shaved his little belly and gave him an ultrasound, which confirmed what all the professionals were thinking – FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis), which is fatal.

Last week Steve, Steffi, and I went to Alaska, leaving Beka home alone for the first time. I was a little nervous about Sirius, because he had really started to have trouble walking and eating. He was about the same when we got home, but on Saturday... His back legs were not cooperating with his intentions (anyone ever have THAT feeling?), and his food kept falling out of his mouth as he tried to eat. It was SO SAD!

Yesterday, Mothers’ Day, I held him most of the day and last night I slept in the living room with him so he wouldn’t have to go upstairs (he always sleeps with a human!) and risk falling downstairs to get to food and litter. (Okay, okay, it was after midnight – I didn’t even think about the fact that I could just bring all that stuff up the stairs for him! Duh!)

We discussed our options last night, and everyone agreed that he really had experienced the best life he could and that his short little life really was over. What a sad, sad thing to have to decide! I think it was a little harder for Steffi, but she came to peace with it as well.

Neither of the girls wanted to go with me to the vet appointment, so I did it alone. We have the most incredible, loving vet and she was just so kind and supportive. I can’t imagine euthanizing a pet with anyone else – it would make it so much harder.

So, Sirius is gone from our home – and we donated his body to OSU to help study FIP. Maybe he will be a little help in figuring out a treatment for this currently incurable disease.

He was such a fabulous kitten. He really, truly seemed to love us just as much as we loved him. He would follow us around when he wasn’t already being held. He was always jumping up onto my lap for a snuggle. And he will live forever in the memory of our vet as the amazing little kitten who insisted on getting into the litterbox before vomiting – three times!

Today is definitely a sad day… Sirius, honey, we will miss you!!!