Sotches

On Thursday morning, my sister's cat, Sotches, became critically ill very suddenly. He couldn't use his hind legs and was crying out in distress. My sistser and my mom rushed him to the vet, but there wasn't anything that could be done. The vet examined him but an x-ray was too dangerous in his condition and so would any kind of tests. His lungs were filled with fluid. He was suffering and fading fast. So my sister did the only thing to that was left, and sent him across the rainbow bridge. My cat, Merlin wanted to try to comfort him but Sotches was scared and defensive so we had to keep Merlin away. Merlin's since been looking for his friend. I give him lots of extra cuddles. 

Sotches was totally fine earlier that day and even the rest of the week. I suspect Sotches may have suffered a saddle thrombus and CHF. The house is strangely quiet without his imperious meows commanding us. We're all heartbroken. It was so sudden, there weren't any signs before it happened. He was seven years old.


Sotches (white and tabby) and Merlin (black)


Sotches, in what we called "SOS pose" his signal to his mommy that he wanted a tummy rub

I'm so glad you gave Sotches his own thread in Crossing the Bridge, he was a wonderful cat that will be missed dearly by you all. Your broken heart will heal in time, but for now you need to mourn and be comforted by those of us that can sympathize with your pain. Take care.....

I know it will. Having lost other pets. It's the suddenness that makes it hard to accept. I had a chance to prepare and say goodbye when my first cat, Patches, was put to sleep due to cancer. Sotchy's death came from nowhere. 

I'm so sorry for your loss RIP Sotches Run free at rainbow bridge beautiful boy

I'm very sorry for your loss. It does sound like CHF and a saddle thrombosis. It must have been a real shock to you and your family.
RIP, Sotches.

Thanks, it was a shock, from fine and himself to critical condition. Without an x-ray or tests we don't know for sure, but googling and reading on what people have said about saddle thrombus and CHF, that's what it sounds like He was only seven, he would have been eight on Friday.

He's at the Rainbow Bridge, alongside Patches, my first cat.

I'm so sorry.  I can only imagine the shock and sadness you all must feel.

The hardest part is that Merlin keeps looking for him and it makes me ache. 

So last night I spent some quality play time with Merlin, and that cheered me up, knowing Merlin seems to be OK. Sotches and Merlin always had such interesting interactions, with grooming each other trying to assert dominance, and Merlin liked to use Sotchy as his vault, flying over him. Sotchy would sometimes turn around and get him back, but never hurt him. Merlin would be like "What was that for?"

I'm so sorry. Sotches is certainly a handsome little boy.

Keep talking to Merlin about what happened, because he's bound to miss him

Have fun at the bridge baby boy

Thanks to all for your kind words. Merlin has also taken to laying in the hall by the bathroom, which is where Sotchy was when he went downhill. He's more himself now but still misses him. They'd lived together since the fall of 2008, Sotchy was two at the time and Merlin had just turned a year. Sometimes you'd think they were kittens together. Yesterday was also the first time Merlin had been in my room since Sotchy passed away. Sotches often went into my room for peace and quiet and privacy, though he didn't mind getting petted.

I'm so sorry.  He was a beautiful cat.  

Beautiful Sotches

Thanks. Yesterday, my sister got a card and stamp of his paw prints from the vet. It was a week ago today he crossed. It's so hard to comprehend. A healthy, happy, seven year old cat one moment, then in major distress and being rushed to the vet the next. Merlin has been laying in the spot where Sotchy collapsed,. He's OK but I can tell he misses his friend.

This would have been his eighth birthday today.

It must be very tough for your sister and you, thinking about how you would have been celebrating his birthday.

It's just so strange not having Sotches around. The fact that it was so sudden makes it really hard to understand. 

I'm so sorry about Socthes. I just read Merlin's cat page today and didn't realize that Sotches had died. It's so hard to get your head to accept what you're heart is feeling, that he's really gone. Years ago I had a vet send me a card with my deceased cat's paw print. It was terrible when I first opened the card, brought everything, all of the sadness and pain, immediately and unexpectedly back and I couldn't look at it again for a long time. But now, years later, I treasure that card so much.

My sister got one on Wednesday, it's a nice souvenir to have, and she appreciated it. It is hard to accept, even when you know it's coming, when it's sudden and unexpected it just doesn't register. Our original vet sent us cards when we had Patches, my first cat, put to sleep and again when we had our dog, Skippy put to sleep. I look back at Patches and smile, and I do the same with Sotchy though it does give a pang to realize he's gone. 

So, on Saturday, my sister got a new cat to fill the void left by Sotchy's death. A very pretty and affectionate Maine Coone mix, he's still a bit shy but loves being petted. Once he settles in and emerges, we'll introduce him to Merlin. Merlin knows there's a new cat in the house, but he's not worried or stressed, more curious.