Tommy-Dude

[shanmonster]

I spent some time with my Mom and sister this morning, and for a few brief minutes, we stopped by Mom's place. I went in to see Tommy-Dude. Mom said he had been doing particularly badly lately, and hadn't been eating for about four days. When offered his favourite dish--raw eggs--he'd stare at them for a moment as though considering it, then walk away.

I called him, but he didn't answer, so I went to the bathroom.

The toilet summoned him. Tommy-Dude's always had a strange attraction for flushing toilets. He loves to stare down at the swirling water. His feet are frequently muddy, because he likes to rest his front toes in the bowl, waiting for someone to push the magic handle. And then, with his feet still wet, he journeys to his secret hideaway down in the unfinished basement.

When I came out of the bathroom, his feet were muddy. He wouldn't look at me. I guess he just didn't have the energy. So I knelt down and stroked his back. He still didn't move to look at me, but his fur rippled in appreciation for the touch. Then Mom walked into the bathroom, and he slowly walked in after her, so she could flush the toilet and give him his daily dose of excitement.

Then we left.

Just a few minutes ago, Mom phoned me. Tommy had been crying and vomiting. He was obviously in pain, so Mom and Dad knew he needed to be put out of his misery. So he's probably only been dead for about twenty minutes, now.

He was about seventeen years old, a skilled fighter, and an equally-proficient fucker. He probably has great-great-great-great-grandchildren³. If any cat deserves a wake, it's him. Too bad I don't like raw eggs.

Comments

:(

[jagnightwalker.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry :( All I can say is, I'm sure tommy appreciated all the love (and things he loved) in his last moments.

I'm sure someday, you'll feel very good that you got to see him, if you don't as of this moment.

*Hugs*

Re: :(

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'm glad I saw him. And for such a small cat, he did have a very big life.

[prolixfootle.livejournal.com]

You have my deepest sympathies. I know how difficult it is to lose a longtime friend and companion.

[aislinggheal.livejournal.com]

My condolences... it's so hard to lose a long-time friend like that. He sounds like quite a character. Poor babe.

[bloobert.livejournal.com]

OK, that brought a lump! Had to go hug my own two fur factories...

Tommy Dude sounds like a good cat. Sorry for your loss :-(

Im so sorry Shannie...

[cynebeah.livejournal.com]

He was a good kity indeed.

[fantasticat.livejournal.com]

..the first time I read your lj and its this entry!
poor kitten.he went to happy good rompy kittie land!

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

Well, I hope he's having a grand old time putting the claws to all the wimpier cats, and knocking up all the hot, unspayed females. Those were his favourite things of all.

Ok, so he also like tomato juice. Isn't that a weird thing for a cat to enjoy?

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

Thanks to everyone who wrote a kind word. Tommy-Dude might have been just a cat to most people, but he was one of the last real ties I had to a completely different life than the one I live now. There was a time when my entire life revolved around my friendships with animals, and he was the last of the four-legged companions to go. My dog died while I was still in university, as did my pony. The horses and goats have been gone even longer.

Although I have chinchillas, it's somehow not quite the same. They lack the distinct personalities of higher animals.

Someday, I'll have cats and dogs and chickens and horses again, but not while I live in an apartment.

Pets Galore

[prolixfootle.livejournal.com]

You're always welcome to move down here to the farm. Looks like I could use a couple of roommates...

[balthcat.livejournal.com]

The cats might eat the willas!

My sympathies to you, re: the kitty (altough your talk of him always made me think he doesn't quite fit the term 'kitty' :D)

I seem to recall you saying something about a cat dying fairly recently... I'd assumed it was Tommy-Dude. Am I on crack?

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

Tommy-Dude and T-Bone have both bitten the biscuit over the past month. So, apparently, has my sister's cat, Fixel. Fixel went AWOL a few weeks ago, and not a sign has been seen of her, since. And just a couple of days ago, her new cat, Tulip, died in her sleep.

It's been a bad month for cats.

[balthcat.livejournal.com]

Poor kitties.

Perhaps they are forming an undead army...

[fourcorners.livejournal.com]

Your poor kitty :(
My kitty died last year, and it was hard for me. I hope that you aren't burdened with his parting for too long. 17 years is a long time.