You know what this means. On Friday, December 20th, our fifteen and a half year old cat, Frosty, had his second day of serious seizures. There had been just one seizure on Thursday. I was still so much hoping to have him with me through one more staycation. But on Friday, he had two more shockingly violent seizures. I could not seem to make the decision to let him go…and reached out to the hive mind of Facebook friends, where I got exactly the help I needed, backed up with personal stories, of how it was better to make the big decision a bit too soon rather than too late. We got him to the Oceanside Animal Clinic an hour before closing, where the wonderful veterinarian assured me that we had indeed made the right decision. He had three more seizures just while we were waiting in the exam room for a short time. With a soothing shot to help him relax so that we could say goodbye before the Green Shot, his passing was peaceful and loving.
So now it is time to memorialize him. He is the last of the family of three that we adopted in 2012 when a friend died: Mary was the mother, and Smoky and Frosty her sons. All three had lived inside of a motor home in the Cove RV Park. How very much they loved our garden (which was on its second summer then) when they grew comfortable enough with their new home to venture outside. We already had shy black cat Calvin, whom we had adopted at age seven in 2011. (Calvin deserved but never got a proper memorial post, because he died during springtime busy work season. Someday….I will set up an anniversary post for him.)
2012
The family of three arrived early in the year and hid in the closet for a several days, and then found two cat doors and a garden awaiting them.
Frosty had grown up with two nice dogs and he very much liked dogs. Here he is with the wonderful Sophie, our friend J9’s dog.
2013
2014 and 2015:
Sometimes it did seem like Mary favored Smoky over Frosty. I was always happy for him when he was included.
2016:
Mother Mary had passed away. She had been quite the book cat. Frosty got more reading time when she was gone.
Frosty was a bit of a squirmer during book time, nudging his head under the book and turning around and around before getting comfortable. I’d gladly put up with that now to have one more reading winter with him….
More Frosty photos tomorrow.
I am so very sorry, Skyler. I wish you had one more year with him in the way that you wanted. It’s hard to let go. Frosty had a terrific life with you. Not all cats are so lucky.
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Thank you. I believe he knew and appreciated that he was a lucky boy.
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I join you in feeling your loss, Skyler. It is hard to lose our animal companions. Many a book and magazine has been read by one or more cats in our house, too.
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All my cats are readers 😉 even Skooter on occasion. Now it’s Jazmin’s turn to be my main book cat.
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So sorry about Frosty. When quality of life is affected, I agree, sooner is better than later. I have learned that the hard way. It is never easy to say goodbye to our fur babies 😦
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It’s a hard lesson to learn on when to let go. I feel this time I got it almost right from sad experience in the past and the good advice of friends who have learned that lesson. We just love them so much.
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I am so sorry for your lose. I lost 2 in November. It’s so hard. You gave him a loving, caring home.
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Oh… two in a month, so hard. I send you much sympathy.
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I’m sending a big hug to you. You gave that kitty a wonderfully special home / garden. Lucky both of you. Especially hard to let go in the winter.
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Thank you ever so much.
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Sorry for your loss Skyer and Allen, such a nice cat and such a nice life.
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Thank you, Dawn. I have more photos to memorialize any one of my cats than of any human I have ever known.
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I have to correct that comment to any of my cats in the days of digital photography. Back in the days of film, cats and people got about the same number of photos. 🙂
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We put our 2 beloved boys to sleep, both August 24th. Dr Kelly came to the cabin to take care of this awful but necessary task. She is the best. I’m crying for you. John and i will forever miss our sweet Milton, age 19, and pesky Henry, age 14. Up to now, it was the worst day of my life. Sending you and Allen soft hugs. You are everything that people in this world should be. Also, blessings of sweet memories in the loss of your dear friend.
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So very sorry about your kitties. We had Dr Ruth this time. All the vets there are so kind. Sweet and pesky are just the way I would have described Smoky and Frosty. I
Smoky was the sweet one. And Frosty was sweet but loud and pesky for more and more attention. I’d gladly have that back again.
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Lovely memories.
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Thanks, Mr T. Frosty was a good boy in many ways, including that he was not interested in bothering the birds.
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Oh Frosty. 😦
You made the right decision though, and I hope good memories of a cat life well lived, bring you comfort.
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Thank you. I didn’t tell you in yesterday’s email because….it was Christmas and all.
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Sorry for your loss. Mr. Frosty sounds like quite the cat; all three were beautiful!
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Thank you! They were a delightful little family.
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Oh, that is so sad. I’m so sorry, Skyler (and Allan). You took such good care of Frosty, and gave him the best home and garden a kitty could have. Thank you for sharing your photos and memories. I will miss seeing Frosty on the blog.
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Thank you. The Frosty memorial will continue for two more days because I have so many pictures and wanted them gathered in one place.
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So sad when we need to say good bye to our furry family members. So very sorry for your loss.
Carol Sheaffer
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Thank you ever so much.
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So sorry Skyler! You gave him a wonderful life. My sympathies.
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Thank you!
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This is not easy to read. It is nearly impossible. I did though. I am so sorry that Frosty needed to go.
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I thought you might not be able to because I know you are a tender person about animals, as am I.
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[…] Cat Memorial Garden is where our dear tabby cat, Mary, mother of Smoky and Frosty, is buried. I would like to put the ashes of Frosty and Smoky and also Calvin, who had a brotherly […]
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