Broadsway's Thibault, 1996-2005
Yesterday was a very sad day for me. Thibault (aka Moose), my beautiful white Maine Coon kitty, passed away yesterday after a five year long battle with Chronic Renal Failure. To say that I'm devastated would be an understatement. He was my big baby and helped me get through the toughest times of my life.
I knew this day was coming. Heck I've known for five years, after he was first diagnosed. I remember my vet saying that she didn't know how long he would live but there have been cats with CRF that lived an extra four years. Having him live past that into five years was a blessing. The past few weeks his health has been disintegrating. I guess I refused to see the signs. After him living so much longer than expected, I guess I imagined him living forever. When we got home from NYC last night I found him. He had died on his own terms, in his home, in his favorite spot. I know it sounds selfish but I'm glad I didn't have to make the decision for him. I don't know if I would've been able to do it. I loved him so much that it would've been so hard for me to make that decision. Heck, I spent the past five years giving him daily fluid treatments and special foods and meds to help slow down the deterioration of his kidneys. He had a very good quality of life so there was no way I was going to put him to sleep. He reacted so well to the meds and stuff that you would never have guessed he was sick.
He was a special cat. He was this big white furry gigantic cat that on looks would scare most people. However, when you got close, you realized what a big mush he was. Maine Coons are known as "gentle giants" and that fit Moose to a tee. He would lie around on my lap, suck my thumb (yes, he liked to suckle on thumbs), and purr. At midnight he would do his famous "yowlies" where he would walk around the apartment with a catnip ball in his mouth going "meooooow...meooooow." That drove Darren nuts but I always laughed at it thinking it was the most silly thing I've ever seen.
Because he required daily sub-q fluid treatments, he would always travel with us. The cat had more frequent flyer miles than most people. He had been up to Cape Cod and all the way down to Florida. He was the one cat my parents allowed in their house. Heck, even my mom liked him and that says something as she's not a big fan of animals.
Everybody loved Moose. How could you not? He was the most beautiful and sweet cat you could ever meet. I am going to miss him terribly. He was my baby.
I love you Moo.
I knew this day was coming. Heck I've known for five years, after he was first diagnosed. I remember my vet saying that she didn't know how long he would live but there have been cats with CRF that lived an extra four years. Having him live past that into five years was a blessing. The past few weeks his health has been disintegrating. I guess I refused to see the signs. After him living so much longer than expected, I guess I imagined him living forever. When we got home from NYC last night I found him. He had died on his own terms, in his home, in his favorite spot. I know it sounds selfish but I'm glad I didn't have to make the decision for him. I don't know if I would've been able to do it. I loved him so much that it would've been so hard for me to make that decision. Heck, I spent the past five years giving him daily fluid treatments and special foods and meds to help slow down the deterioration of his kidneys. He had a very good quality of life so there was no way I was going to put him to sleep. He reacted so well to the meds and stuff that you would never have guessed he was sick.
He was a special cat. He was this big white furry gigantic cat that on looks would scare most people. However, when you got close, you realized what a big mush he was. Maine Coons are known as "gentle giants" and that fit Moose to a tee. He would lie around on my lap, suck my thumb (yes, he liked to suckle on thumbs), and purr. At midnight he would do his famous "yowlies" where he would walk around the apartment with a catnip ball in his mouth going "meooooow...meooooow." That drove Darren nuts but I always laughed at it thinking it was the most silly thing I've ever seen.
Because he required daily sub-q fluid treatments, he would always travel with us. The cat had more frequent flyer miles than most people. He had been up to Cape Cod and all the way down to Florida. He was the one cat my parents allowed in their house. Heck, even my mom liked him and that says something as she's not a big fan of animals.
Everybody loved Moose. How could you not? He was the most beautiful and sweet cat you could ever meet. I am going to miss him terribly. He was my baby.
I love you Moo.
Comments
He kept himself alive for so long through the sheer desire to help his mommy. I truly believe he lasted longerr than he was expected to only because he knew he his mommy needed him to be there.
With the coming of Fizzy, I think he knew that he could finally rest. He's been in pain for so long. He's been underweight, poked, prodded, fed some of the most awful stuff in existance and for so long and now that there is another kitten to take up what he struggled so long to do, he finally felt he could rest.
Sleep well Moo, you loved and were loved and now you no longer have to feel anything but joy.
I miss you too.
Darren