One of the hardest parts of owning pets is that they get old and die.
Can’t sugar coat it – pets get old and die.
We have been fortunate to have cats that seem to live forever!!!
But as we get older so do the cats that we had back – way back.
Squeeker was one of our “original” cats.
Hubs found in her a ditch when she was maybe a week old?? – took her to work – bottle fed her until she was strong and she joined our family of 3 cats or was it 4 at that time – don’t remember.
Squeek was never really quite “all there” I think that the trauma of not having a mother and socialization kinda stunted her social skills.
Squeek preferred a solitary existence – mostly away from other cats – and have a nervous habit of licking her belly bald.
Every once in a while – you could actually pet her – it was few and far between -she was not mean – just wary.
When we moved here about 6 years ago – Squeek came into her own. Perhaps it was age that mellowed her -she stopped licking her belly – she started being more social – still wary but you could sneak pets more often :).
This past year – Squeek really started to change and slow down – not being able to jump as much – slept ALOT and lost her hearing – and then had a thyroid issue that put her in on meds or she could eat 24/7.
This past weekend- Squeek lost her sight and it was the longest two days of our lives keeping her from panicking and hurting herself as she could not see where she was – and could not hear any words of encouragement – realistically living inside her own head.
That was not quality of life.
We made the incredibly painful decision to send her on to the next cat life.
I have euthanized animals before – this one stung a lot more – probably because we had Squeek a whopping 18 years – she was a great cat!!!!
Squeek had the best life while here and I hope the best life in that next one.
She will be laid to rest next to Moe and Orange in a lovely spot surrounded by trees and flowers.
Thanks Squeek – you crazy old cat – the house is somewhat empty without you.
Orange Acres 