I thought I had it all worked out...

[johnpalmer]

Putting cats together can be tricky... but Chibi is a sweetheart, ask anyone who knows him. He used to be a fighting tom, but he really just wants to cuddle up in a warm place next to another warm body, you know? And Skitty is more playful and annoying, but she just wants to get along, too. They're both really social.

So I knew what was coming, I thought.

Bookie would hold off over-affectionate attention with her claws; Chibi would use his superior mass to keep Bookie from being a pain, and soon, Pat and I would complain about a waterbed being too crowded, with three cats and two humans, because the cats would all be well integrated, with the occasional spat (we joked that if Chibi kept playing with Bookie's catnip hotdogs, there'd be trouble).

But alas, that wasn't how it worked out.(Friend's locked entry - sorry if you can't reach it.)

Something happened to Bookie... maybe a stroke, or seizure, or who-knows-what. She was an old kitty, and frail, and had other health issues from a good time back, and when the vet got a look at her, he said that there probably wasn't any good way to let her live a good cat's life any more.

I'm going to miss her... she was cranky and quick with the claws and cantankerous, and I saw a bunch of troubles ahead in putting a three cat household together, and damn it all, I'd take on all those troubles twice over if she was still here to make them for me.

Comments

[wordweaverlynn.livejournal.com]

I am so sorry. Hugs if you want them.

[suzilem.livejournal.com]

John, I'm so sorry.

[siliconivy.livejournal.com]

i too am so sorry. doesn't matter if you know you're doing the right thing for the pet, it's never feels like it's right. *hugs*

[pagawne.livejournal.com]

I am so very sorry. Hug Pat for us. Hugs for you too.

[grey-lady.livejournal.com]

My condolences. I hate it when my feline friends get old and we have to start talking about "quality of life".

[claire.livejournal.com]

:( I'm sorry to hear that. {{hugs}} to you and to Pat and to the other kitties.

[siliconshaman.livejournal.com]

*sigh*

That's never an easy one. A quiet word will be spoken tonight in Bast's ear for the soul of Bookie.

[kightp.livejournal.com]

Thank you for being there for me, and for her, love.

[pernishus.livejournal.com]

I'm so sad for both of you -- hugs, and gratitude to you both for the many consolations and beauties you have brought into my life over the years. Even though it's been years since he lived with me, when Pernicious's own black camel kneels, I will have your example to help me through it.

[janetmiles.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry it happened this way.

[lblanchard.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry. I read Pat's journal last night.

[ruth-lawrence.livejournal.com]

I can't reach the flocked entry, but am very sorry to hear of your loss.

It's hard, very hard.

[kightp.livejournal.com]

Oh, I thought you'd automatically tranfer over to my friendslist when you changed usernames. I've added you.

[ruth-lawrence.livejournal.com]

Thankyou!

No...I didn't keep the links between old and new.

[anisoptera.livejournal.com]

How awful. We are keeping both of you in our thoughts.

[jilesa.livejournal.com]

John, I'm so sorry to hear about this. You and Pat have my deepest sympathy.

[karenkay.livejournal.com]

I appreciate the sentiment of your last para, but I am glad that you and your cats can be there for Pat.

[cerval.livejournal.com]

As I just said in Pat's journal, I am so sorry for your loss. I'm glad that you were there to go with Pat and support her, that she wasn't making that trip to the vet alone. I know you'll both miss your Bookie, and I offer my condolences and sympathy to you both. And *hugs* of course.

[spiritmoving.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry to hear about Bookie! Much love to you and Pat and the other two cats.

[elimloth.livejournal.com]

Bookie will place well in the 'hissing' category in the summerlands hall of fame.

It is so sad to hear of Bookie's passing - what a great fierce cat she was. I loved her clear "what!" gaze that she would give anyone who looked upon her.

Be well, John and give Jez many long hug for me.