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.

1997-07Above: 1996 – The gift from a friend in my new condo.  I had barely moved in and didn’t have my new carpet yet.

1996 Clea 2Above: 1997 – Clea testing out the new carpet.

2002-11Above: 2002 – Dasher (no gray hair) and Clea cuddle.

2003-11Above: 2003

2004-02Above: 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.

2004-05Above: 2004

2006-08Above: 2006

2008-09Above: 2008 – In the motorhome.  Let the journey begin!

2008-11-01 UT Dasher & Clea2008: Salt Lake City hotel while the RV was being repaired.

2010-03-07 02Above: 2010 – Hanging out in the bath tub.

2010-07-27 002Above: 2010: Playing with my camera cord.

2011-03-12 002Above: 2011

2012-07-01 030Above: 2012

32 comments:

  1. Garret, I'm sorry. The longer they're with us the harder it is to let them go. It sounds like the right decision.

    How's Dasher? It looks like they were BFF.

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    1. Oddly Dasher is fine. I figured he would be. They really didn't cuddle that often and if anything he didn't particularly like her sitting with us. It took all he had not to snarl at her. He knew better after early-on episodes when he'd get smacked in the snout for snapping at Clea out of jealousy.

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  2. I never comment on your blog since I'm a "lurker" and we've never met - but I just want to send my condolences. Clea is a part of so many of your good memories, so in that way she will always be with you. I agree, I'm sure you made the kindest decision. .

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    1. Thanks Doris! Thanks for unlurking for that =)

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  3. Losing a pet is one of the hardest things we have to go through. I still miss our dogs. I bet Dasher is sad and wondering where she is. My heart aches for you.

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  4. omg i cried so hard at the pictures. lots of hugs!

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    1. I got rid of all her stuff today so I don't have to cry again later.

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  5. It looks as though Dasher has lost a great buddy. How heartbreaking to lose a fur baby with no warning like that. So glad she had a great life with you guys. May she rest in peace!

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    1. I'm not sure what Dasher will do. So far he hasn't reacted.

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  6. So sorry for your loss. It is so hard to have to make these decisions but know that you did the right thing. She had a wonderful life full of love and adventure. Sending you cyber hugs.

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    1. Thanks Karin. We've been second guessing ourselves... trust me.

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  7. Never had the displeasure of putting an animal down although my poor daughter has put down two cats. She sobs like a baby. Not looking forward to the task someday. I hope your heart heals quickly.

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    1. Clea was my first cat of my own. Mom always had cats. When Dasher goes I'm gonna need drugs.

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  8. I'm so sorry for your loss! I remember that cute little foundling. I also remember having 4 of my own at that time. Giving her to you was the right thing to do. She was well loved. She couldn't have had a better life.

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    1. Thanks for giving me Clea.

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    2. Hey Guys, I just hate hearing about Clea. She really was a cool cat. What I remember most about her is how she would chase the laser-light all the way up the wall. Hugs to you both.

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    3. Thanks John. I have pictures of her with that light and of her panting.

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  9. Sorry to hear about your loss. I recently had to put one of my baby's down, what torture it is. Best to you and Jim.

    MikeInDallas

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    1. Thanks Mike! Animals are tough since they're helpless.

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  10. Garret and Jim, I am so sorry about your loss I have had to put two of my babies down also and it was the most heart wrenching thing to do. You always second guess yourself, but in your heart you know you did the right thing for her. Peace and love.

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  11. So, so very sorry, Garret. She had a wonderful, happy life with all of you and I know you will miss her.

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  12. So very sorry for your loss. Don't second guess yourself. The most important thing owners do for their pets is making that hard decision. We give them the best life and a pain free trip to rainbow bridge. Big hugs to you both. Lori Anne

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    1. Thanks Lori Anne. Jim had that Rainbow Bridge poem, read it and cried so I passed on reading it. LOL.

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  13. Sorry to hear about your kitty. Glad we got to meet her in Texas.

    Derek

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  14. I am obviously terribly behind and out of touch and I feel terrible about that.

    I know that you know that I know the pain of losing a pet.

    I'm so sorry. Making that decision is so incredibly difficult. You gave her 16 wonderful and happy years where she was loved and spoiled and a blog star. The difficult decision you and Jim made was absolutely the right one- having her live in misery would have been cruel.

    Keeping you in my heart...

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  15. Only the second time I've posted - I'm a (previously) anonymous lurker from the UK - just wanted to say well done for making the tough decision, it's part of the deal we have with our feline companions. They give us love, claw marks on the soft furnishings, cat fluff everywhere, they vomit up furballs when you're just about to serve dinner, and there is frenzied smelly activity in the litter tray just before a friend calls round (I'm sure there are people who just think I have a really bad problem with gas) - and we get to do the hard stuff even though it breaks our hearts. All the best from Julia

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