Clea 1996 - 2012

Back in 1996 I had bought my first home, a condo.  My friend and coworker Renae was on her way over to see my new place and allegedly found a kitten in the road or something like that.  I graciously accepted the cat as a pet slash housewarming gift and off to the store we went for a litter box, food and other necessities.    All was well.  Because of the markings near her eyes I named her Clea, short for Cleopatra. 

Jim and I started dating in 1999.  Around the time I met him, Clea was having episodes.  She’d literally just attack me.  Her eyes would get large.  Her fur would stand up on end and she’d lunge at me.  I was so upset by this.  We nicknamed her psycho-kitty.  We eventually discovered a stray cat near the condo door which coincided with her attacks.  She’d smell that cat and then react.  I don’t remember how I remedied that situation but it was resolved at some point.

Thursday night I was steam cleaning the RV carpets while Jim made dinner in the house.  Jim came into the RV in panic mode saying Clea has broken her paw.  I flew into the house and my heart sank.  One paw, the first section closest to her claws was lifeless, dangling like a wet noodle.  Jim found an emergency vet but 30 minutes away.  He shoved the cooked pasta into the microwave, the sauce and meatballs into the fridge and off we went.  The vet was able to see her immediately.  She wanted to take some x-rays, do an exam and give Clea some sedatives and painkillers.  Here’s an email Jim sent out that has the gist:

We had to have Clea put to sleep last night.   She threw a blood clot that made her right front leg go limp at the knee.  We thought she broke it.  The vet said the prognosis was "guarded" considering she was 16 years old. Odds were 50/50 on her regaining use of her leg.  She had high blood pressure and heart problems per the vet, but she used much bigger words.  Recovery would involve limiting her activity and jumping up on things.  The vet said it was likely that within the next year or less she would have another blood clot that would likely go to her rear legs which would paralyze both her legs and would be terribly painful and make it impossible for her to walk.  Basically, her quality of life was never going to be good again.  As painful as it was it was the most humane thing we could do. We stayed with her the entire time.   I am glad she is not in pain any longer. 

It was a late night.  I cried like a baby.  Jim cried.  I think what she had was this but I can’t remember.  All the vet said was blah blah blah and I was just staring at her basically.

Above: 1996 – The gift from a friend in my new condo.  I had barely moved in and didn’t have my new carpet yet.

Above: 1997 – Clea testing out the new carpet.

Above: 2002 – Dasher (no gray hair) and Clea cuddle.

Above: 2003

Above: While pet sitting Bobbi she always licked her lips, stared at the cat constantly and followed her intently.  We never knew if Bobbi would eat her.  Bobbi is in pet heaven too.

Above: 2004

Above: 2006

Above: 2008 – In the motorhome.  Let the journey begin!

2008: Salt Lake City hotel while the RV was being repaired.

Above: 2010 – Hanging out in the bath tub.

Above: 2010: Playing with my camera cord.

Above: 2011

Above: 2012