JBM. You know I’m a fellow cat lover so can only send my heart felt condolences. You have to understand the joy and pleasure they bring to know the pain of loss.
Thanks guys. She began to suffer from the same inherited genetic disorder (a liver problem) as her brother Elton who sadly had to be put down at only 6 months old. With a very heavy heart we took her to the vets on Friday and did what had to be done. She was a great friend and constant companion around the house. I cannot begin to explain how much I miss her.
That's very sad but obviously needed to be done...is it a genetic fault caused by excessive inter breeding to create a certain look in the breed...or was it just bad luck in that particular litter?
Yeah mate, you’ve got it on both counts. Persian cats are susceptible to something called a liver shunt where additional blood vessels develop to bypass the liver. There’s a move to breed this out but it seems we sourced our cats from a pretty unscrupulous (though approved) breeder. There were four cats in Margot’s litter. One got sold before we knew about it, the one we were going to have “failed to thrive” as a kitten and Margot’s brother didn’t make it past 6 months old despite a promising start. As you say, very sad.
Buggery... sorry for your loss... we do get attached to them don't we?? Can be a blessing and a curse.. ours (two) are both moggy's but coming on for 14 years old now, I hate to think about what is inevitably getting closer... :o(
Hey Steve, to many she’d of course be just a cat but to a sad old bigger like me she was a great friend and companion. And yes I did get very attached. Glad you’ve had such a long and presumably happy trot with your two, a friend in France had a moggy that made it to 18!
At one point we had four cats but sadly all have now crossed the rainbow bridge to Cathalla. The oldest was almost 21. Never purchased a cat in our lives though they just appeared or we were asked to look after them. They find those little cracks in our emotional armour and sneak through to our hearts and it hurts when they have to go. We have two dogs now and we are dreading the time when the inevitable choices have to be made. So I share your loss. Perhaps a nice trip to a rehoming centre is required?
Hi David, we actually still have one cat, called Kiki, also a Persian…she’s a pretty robust young thing so I suspect we’ll have her for a few years yet. Thanks for your kind words. Whoever said “it’s better to have loved and lost”…was a twat.
That is a sadly short life - beautiful image, a good capture of a very expressive face.
ReplyDeleteJBM. You know I’m a fellow cat lover so can only send my heart felt condolences. You have to understand the joy and pleasure they bring to know the pain of loss.
ReplyDeleteThanks guys. She began to suffer from the same inherited genetic disorder (a liver problem) as her brother Elton who sadly had to be put down at only 6 months old. With a very heavy heart we took her to the vets on Friday and did what had to be done. She was a great friend and constant companion around the house. I cannot begin to explain how much I miss her.
ReplyDeleteSorry for your loss and as hard as it is, you did the right thing for her.
ReplyDeleteThanks Steve.
DeleteThat's very sad but obviously needed to be done...is it a genetic fault caused by excessive inter breeding to create a certain look in the breed...or was it just bad luck in that particular litter?
ReplyDeleteYeah mate, you’ve got it on both counts. Persian cats are susceptible to something called a liver shunt where additional blood vessels develop to bypass the liver. There’s a move to breed this out but it seems we sourced our cats from a pretty unscrupulous (though approved) breeder. There were four cats in Margot’s litter. One got sold before we knew about it, the one we were going to have “failed to thrive” as a kitten and Margot’s brother didn’t make it past 6 months old despite a promising start. As you say, very sad.
DeleteBuggery... sorry for your loss... we do get attached to them don't we?? Can be a blessing and a curse.. ours (two) are both moggy's but coming on for 14 years old now, I hate to think about what is inevitably getting closer... :o(
ReplyDeleteHey Steve, to many she’d of course be just a cat but to a sad old bigger like me she was a great friend and companion. And yes I did get very attached. Glad you’ve had such a long and presumably happy trot with your two, a friend in France had a moggy that made it to 18!
DeleteAt one point we had four cats but sadly all have now crossed the rainbow bridge to Cathalla. The oldest was almost 21. Never purchased a cat in our lives though they just appeared or we were asked to look after them. They find those little cracks in our emotional armour and sneak through to our hearts and it hurts when they have to go. We have two dogs now and we are dreading the time when the inevitable choices have to be made. So I share your loss. Perhaps a nice trip to a rehoming centre is required?
ReplyDeleteHi David, we actually still have one cat, called Kiki, also a Persian…she’s a pretty robust young thing so I suspect we’ll have her for a few years yet. Thanks for your kind words. Whoever said “it’s better to have loved and lost”…was a twat.
DeleteJust found your blog and saw this. So sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kevin, it’s really nice of you to leave a comment. I’ve cried less over humans that’ve passed on. Not sure what that says about me!
Delete