Figaroe July 31, 2012.

                                                                                                                                                      

I have been noticing Fig’s declining health lately and have been keeping an eye on her.  She was losing weight steadily.  For those who remember when Fig could dust the floor with her belly by walking across it or felt the house shake when she ran then seeing here at maybe three or four pounds would have been a shocker.  I fed her twice a day and had been on that routine since I notice her declining in weight.  She got can cat food because she lost all of her teeth about five years ago, never could figure out why they all just came out steadily over a six month period, that had to be in shreds because she couldn’t handle pate.  She stayed happy and active up until the 30th.  When I went to check on her she started staggering when she walked and fell over.  I gave her some food but she wouldn’t eat.  She would dip her chin into water but I don’t believe that she was actually drinking.  I loaded her up and took her to work with me.  Amy was the supervisor for that shift.  Amy and her beau, Jeff, had taken care of Fig for me when I had gone out of town within the last year, Fig had gotten to where she didn’t travel well.  Well, between Amy and myself we were able to keep an eye on Fig at the station when either of us was not on call.  Fig was showing signs of the flight or fight syndrome where she was trying to run and hide as cats are known to do when they’re about to die.  She wouldn’t get far before she would give out. 

I always said that if she or any of my cats showed suffering and treatment wasn’t possible I would euthanize them.  I made the decision that she wasn’t going to suffer any longer.  I found out that the vet opened at 0800 in the morning and so I was there as the doors open up.  I walked in and the receptionist asked if I had an appointment and I told her that I needed to have my cat euthanized.  I was taken straight back into an exam room without hesitation.  We quickly filled out some paperwork and then the vet came in and first gave Fig a sedative to put her to sleep.  She didn’t like that shot but I held her and she calmed down.  In a few minutes I notice her tongue had protruded out of her mouth and the vet came back in.  He gave her the second injection and it was over in less then a minute.  They provided a body bag to carry her in and even offered to hold on to the body until I could prepare a place for Fig.  These folks were very professional and very compassionate.  I am very grateful for that.

I took Fig home, builded a box out of 2x8 and 2x6, dug a hole next to Missy and Buddy and then buried her.  Over 15 1/2 years I have had that cat.  That was longer then both of my marriages combined.