Louie napping
I think we didn’t give Louie enough credit. Louie never let anything get him down. He still ate, he still ran, he still played, he still cuddled. He still hopped up on the bathroom sink to play in the faucet while I got ready in the morning. He loved to sit in the front window and watch the world go by (or maybe watch the world look at him and wonder why the heck that cat had a huge puffy mouth.) He acted as if he had no idea he was sick – other than the annoying drool at the end when he was unable to fully close his mouth.
Louie playing in the bathroom sink
About two weeks ago, I could tell Louie was getting tired. He stopped showing interest in cuddling with Studley, Ralphie, or me. He still ate, and used the litter box, and scratched his favorite scratching post – but he’d do those things, then go under the coffee table or in a cat tree cubby. He didn’t seem to be as comfortable – often laying hunched over in “meatloaf” position. After watching him this week, I decided it wasn’t enough quality of life to put off the inevitable. I took him to my wonderful vet on Saturday, and we set him free. No more pain, no more discomfort – I hope my little man is now bouncing on the clouds like trampolines.
Louie alert!
I miss him. I miss him helping me “get ready” in the morning. I miss him hopping into the (dry) bathtub and peeking at me through the shower curtain. I miss him running full-speed into the kitchen for meals, and jumping to “his” TV tray – once sending it flying across the room, which he rode like a snowboard then looked up like “Wow! Do it again!!!” I miss him and my heart aches. People say he was “old” or “sick”, and I’m sorry but they’re WRONG. He was my baby. He was only about 11 years old, and his FIV+ status or diabetes did NOT mean he shouldn’t have lived a long life. This cancer was NOT fair and NOT expected, and the fact that I’ve adopted several “special needs” cats doesn’t make their loss any easier to bear.
Louie with the boys, Ralphie & Studley
Life of the Lintee Bean 
I’m sorry for your loss. I’ll be lighting a candle for Louie.
Just caught up with this. So sorry to hear your sad news, but Louis was such a lucky boy to have found you. Run free over the rainbow bridge Louis. Axx
…and I spelt the poor boy’s name wrong! Apologies to Louie. (my braincell must be having a day off). Ax
[…] Less Studley. However, the reason he wasn’t eating as much was less apparent. Did he miss Louie and Ralphie, his cat buddies who passed away in 2009? Unfortunately, I can’t ask him. […]