When you bring a pet into your home, it’s a form of Faustian bargain. Pets bring a lot of joy into a life – but their own lifespans are relatively short. You know the day will come when you have to say goodbye to your much-loved friend, and that day is always much too soon. Today was the day I had to say goodbye to my sweet companion of the last 17+ years, my cat Tina.
Tina came into my life in the summer of 1987 via the North Shore Animal League. This is a not very good scan of her then.
Over the years she lived in Poughkeepsie, New York, and San Francisco, and despite preferring people to other animals she managed to live with 7 different cats and (briefly) one puppy. When Scott came on the scene, she took to him immediately and when I wasn’t around was more than happy to hang out with him (or just about anyone else). But through it all, her favorite person was me and her favorite place to be was on or near my lap.
Despite a diagnosis of progressive renal disease 3 years ago, Tina remained an active and happy cat until these last few weeks, when her disease progressed rapidly. This week, her kidneys finally shut down and she stopped eating. Scott and I knew we had one last vet visit to make. It was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do, but seeing her in pain was worse.
There’s a lot more I could say about Tina – stories from happier times – and perhaps one day I will, but for now I am just too sad. There are three other kitties in our home, and I love each one dearly, but Tina was my first pet and has a special place in my heart. I miss her very much.
