This morning I woke up to find my 9 year old buddy Chase, on the kitchen floor. He was not breathing and his tongue was out of his mouth with eyes rolled back. I immediately grabbed him and went to the vet. There was nothing they could do. They said he had died probably minutes before I had found him. I couldn't accept such a sudden departure so I paid for the post mortem examination. A few hours later I met with the vet who told me he had HCM. This was the first I ever heard of this condition. He was overdue for a vet visit but didn't show symptoms and was healthy during his last visit. In retrospect I may have missed some signs. He has been lethargic recently and didn't seem interested in playing much. I have another younger cat and was watching my parents cat while they were away. Historically he often keeps his distance because he's older so I thought he was just being his usual old self. He also wouldn't jump on the counters much at all. I'm comforted by our last couple of nights together. He was very loving and came up to my room where rather than roll over or go to sleep, I embraced him and pet him as he purred and drifted fast asleep.
The sudden loss is horrific all at a time I just had a relationship end. My little guy had a knack for knowing when I was upset and he comforted me greatly. I love him so much and always will. This disease is terrible, cruel and unfair. When you get a pet you do so knowing that you will most likely out live them. In a sense you sign up for guaranteed grief. But the years spent with them far outweigh any of the anticipatory grief. The sudden loss is somehow harder to handle. I'm riddled with grief and guilt. Suddenly I remember each time I pushed him away when I was trying to do something on the computer. Suddenly I remember the times I slept away from home. I love you my dear boy. You are in heaven now and I pray that one day I will see you one more time.
The sudden loss is horrific all at a time I just had a relationship end. My little guy had a knack for knowing when I was upset and he comforted me greatly. I love him so much and always will. This disease is terrible, cruel and unfair. When you get a pet you do so knowing that you will most likely out live them. In a sense you sign up for guaranteed grief. But the years spent with them far outweigh any of the anticipatory grief. The sudden loss is somehow harder to handle. I'm riddled with grief and guilt. Suddenly I remember each time I pushed him away when I was trying to do something on the computer. Suddenly I remember the times I slept away from home. I love you my dear boy. You are in heaven now and I pray that one day I will see you one more time.
