Cherry

[Bizzy Lizzy]

I had eight cats at one time - working for a cat rescue charity leads to this sometimes - and finally I got down to one. Yesterday I had to have my last cat put to sleep. She was a sweet deaf odd-eyed white female cat I rescued from a home with dozens of cats (all were white with blue or odd-eyes and most were deaf) when she was six months old. She never liked being picked up and cuddled but loved to sit on my chair or lap and really enjoyed a fuss. She would get excited and do what I called an "energetic nibble" - not a real bite but hard enough to make you go ouch! She was a real character and lived to be 18 years. She had heart failure at the end and I had to do the kind thing although it was very hard indeed. We still have a very elderly, high maintenance, dog so will try to resist getting another cat for a while. Very odd getting up this morning though with no one to greet me at the bedroom door.

[ZIZI]

I lost my old boy two years ago on 15th May. He was nearly 24 and I still miss him. At the height of cat owning we had six. Partly this was because when I moved in with husband I had one and he had three and then, well I don't know what happened we just added to our "flock".

Sorry for your loss, we decided not to have another cat. We go away a lot and even though the neighbour was very good at feeding him as he got older I was always worried that he would "go" when I wasn't there. Will you get another rescue cat?

[Bizzy Lizzy]

When I get another cat Zizi it will definitely be a rescue cat as there are so many that need a home and too few homes. We get some fabulously sweet cats come to us for one reason or another. If I do not want to take on a cat permanently there is the fostering option which is very worthwhile.

[Oma]

All my DD cats have been rescue cats , one Jasper a big ginger Tom has decided he doesn't live with her anymore he only visits every few weeks but we know he goes to other houses on the estate to be fed as she put a little note in a capsule on his collar asking anyone he visits to let her know , all in she had 5 phone calls she worms and flees him when he comes home and manages to get him into a cat carrier every now and then to visit the vets , he was born feral and was about 6 month old when he went to cats home so its still in him

[Nanto2girls]

Sorry to hear about you cat Bizzy Lizzy.We had one called Lucy for 18½ years,we had to do the kindest thing and have her put to sleep, about 12 years ago.We said no more pets, and have stuck to that.

[Gemini]

Oh, Bizzy Lizzy, I'm so sorry, and can understand how you must be feeling.
You certainly did the kindest and the right thing for your lovely girl, but it's still hard
((HUGS))

[Mimi]

Sorry to hear about your cat Bizzy Lizzy, it's heartbreaking to see them suffer. X

[Qwerty]

Sorry to hear about your cat but you have given it a good home over the years that counts for a lot

[Daisy]

Bizzy Lizzy, I am so sad for you. Losing a much-loved pet is truly horrible, even when you know you've done the kindest thing for her at the end of a long life. You will all miss her, including your dog, and all you can do is remember the lovely character you shared 18 years with.

I know what you mean about an elderly high-maintenance dog - but you don't love them any the less, do you.

[Bizzy Lizzy]

Thanks everyone for all your kindness and understanding. I have not yet got used to her not being around and occasionally I think I catch sight of her out of the corner of my eye. We were very careful about not letting her out at the front of the house as she was totally deaf and when I come in through the front door I am still anxious to get the door shut as I am expecting her to come to greet us. Eighteen years is a long time.

[Elisi]

So sorry BL. We had a wonderful but naughty cat for 18 years, he passed on 2 years ago, he was 23 a rescue cat, and had been wild, so he was never actually tame and we did as we were instructed by him! We both miss him very much,

[Enfys]

Sorry for your loss, BL. We had a lovely rescue cat, a real little character, so loving and friendly. DD used to dress her up in dolls clothes and push her about in her dolls pram . She was with us for 17 years and was probably a year old when we first adopted her. Missed her for ages but decided not to get another cat as it was difficult if we wanted to go away etc.