Yesterday was a more than fretful day. There was a family issue that circulated throughout all the states that we all reside in and while that was happening around the globe there was a Lucy The Cat Crisis right here at home in Kennett Square.
Lucy is 20 years old. Lucy likes it when I shave a few years off of her age so in my head she is a perennial 17…but we were watching some movies of our lives and Lucy appeared as a feisty baby in July of 1998. So Den has been constantly telling her that she is 20. Neither Lucy nor I like that number. Anyway…we are not cloning her…hmmm….or doing anything weird to keep her alive. She takes a high blood pressure pill and the kitty version of lorazepam every day. I have always brushed her teeth, brushed her silky coat and maintained all parts of her. She’s an old lady but she looks good. Elder kitties have kidney failure so she gets fluids twice a week. Den manages her food and she eats good quality proteins. She hates kitty treats but will munch on fruit whenever I give it to her. Cantaloupe, watermelon, apples, apricots, plums…the juicier the better. Roxie won’t touch anything not labeled For Kitties Only. Too funny! She stares at Lucy in shock and awe when Lucy is eating cantaloupe.
So…yesterday…when I least expected it…Lucy began acting strange. She was walking in circles, losing her balance, stumbling. It was sad and scary. We zipped her to the vet for a total check up…our vet is amazing. Everyone there knows Lucy because she is there twice a week for fluids and everyone agreed she was off. A check up, blood pressure, and an intense exam revealed nothing. Her sight seems off…that’s the one thing. So she is back with us today…a little slower but seemingly ok. Sigh!
We are prepared to let her go…we say that but this will be a rough goodbye. But…our incredible vet…said yesterday…it’s not her time…yet…so…we watch her a little more closely. We blocked off the long downstairs with a big pillow…Roxie and the rest of us can get by but it puzzles Lucy. The stairs are not an option for her. We feed her upstairs…so Roxie eats upstairs, too. She has clean fresh water everywhere…a bowl of fruit when needed…heeheehee…and lots of hugs from all of us. My beautiful bedroom is still beautiful with a few additions…a comfy blanket on my big reading chair that gets changed every three days, low profile scratchers, we pulled in a litter box last night which turned into a novelty for one preteen kitty. But we will move that out today. Thank goodness our room is big and doesn’t look crowded with these extras…but we do it for her. When we got her she chose us…amidst a litter of Tonkinese kittens she sat in my lap and never left. We drove two hours to get her and we drove two hours back with this tiny baby on my shoulder. She has been devoted to me ever since. She has traveled, soothed my parents, played with babies. She loved everyone that she knew I loved. She adored my mom and would not leave her side…even in assisted living when my mom didn’t even know me. She loves my sister Paula who is not a cat person at all. But Lucy changed her mind…at least a little bit.
So today our little family is still intact. When Lucy was at the vet yesterday Roxie showed signs of stress but today we all seem ok. I can’t think right now of Roxie without Lucy but I know I will have to someday. Both of these cats can read into my feelings. They were right by my side warming and protecting me after every chemo day. They would smother me when I came home from the hospital. Den said when he would come home without me they would look after him…hoping to find me. We will take care of them for as long as they need us. For us it is sort of a pay back for all the joy they give to us.
Lucy…and now she loves when Roxie comforts her. They seem to escape into their own world. When we got Roxie, the breeder told us she was a comfort kitty.
So we will stay strong and take care of them for as long as we can!
Special report from Patty
Thank you for listening!
Books, Thoughts and Adventures 
A difficult time when our beloved pets get old. I know it’s silly but we don’t have a dog now because I can’t bear the thought of losing another one. 20 years is a good long time! Wish dogs lived that long. Sending hugs ❤️
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I know, Peggy! Thank you! Hugs back!
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Oh, feeling sad for Lucy and Roxie both…and for you. Hope you can enjoy more time together.
I had no idea Lucy was that old! She seems young in her photos. All the good care she gets must explain her appearance.
Sweet moments together!
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Thank you so much. She looks really good for her age but I think it just gets harder and harder for her. Roxie tries to keep her young!
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Pets are wonderful souls, true friends, and ask nothing in return but love. I only wish more humans could have those qualities. 🙂
–Michael
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Thank you for your thoughts, Michael.
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Lucy is so lucky to have you and Den and Roxie. 🙂 She looks much younger than her age- all that love and attention. I know the pain of watching beloved pets age and move on. I try to remember how lucky I was to have them in my life and how we comforted each other.
Hope things will be a little easier the rest of this week!
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Thank you! We set ourselves up each time to say good bye and to be ready…but I think you are never ready!
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So she is really 20? She looks really good for 20. She will let you know when she is ready. Mine did that. There was no mistaking when it was time. Just enjoy the time you have with her. I know you do.
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We were in shock when we saw the date! She has been my companion for over 20 years. She was born on April 6th.
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We know they cannot be with us forever even though we wish they could my thoughts and prayers are with you all.
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I know, Shirley, and you have just gone through this. Thank you!
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No one’s ever prepared to let a beloved pet like Lucy go. I’m so glad she’s okay for now. What a stressful day for you.
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OMG…Kathy…it was awful! I could not calm down. The unexpected family issue was even more stressful. Even Roxie was anxious!
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Oh gosh, I’m sorry to hear Lucy is struggling. Even when you know stuff can happen at a certain point its so hard to go through it. Sending you and Den good thoughts, Roxie and Lucy too.
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Thank you so much, Mary!
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I’ve never seen a 20 year old cat look so good! You’re all in my thoughts… our own experience is still fresh, and I know how hard and stressful this is.
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Thank you, JoAnn…I know you know how it feels…we love her so much. She was with both of my parents before they died. It’s as though she is the last little part of them that’s left.
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Wishing a lot more healthy years to Lady Lucy!
I once had a dog named Bob who was more than 25 when he died. That’s seven times 25 in human years 🙂
Now I just have a tomcat Ignatius and his mistress Snezhana who gave birth to his babies Leopold and Hermelin two months ago. Ignatius hates them.
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I love their names, Dezzy! As long as you love them all and I think that you do!
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Lucy is such a special cat and so part of your family, for so long. It must be so difficult seeing her coping with age issues. Such a lot of love and devotion on both sides.
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Yes…Kathryn…she is as devoted to us as we are to her.
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Oh what a beautiful cat! And such a loving spirit too, it sounds like. An amazing post, and my heart goes out to you and your family- I wish you all the best through this and especially to Lucy. From what you’ve described she must know she’s very loved…
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Greg…thank you so much…she is very special…your words are so kind…thank you!
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Aww…my sweet Lucy…my baby Sweetie would have been 19 years in April *sigh* I’m so happy Lucy is still hanging in. I think it’ll break my heart as much as yours when she moves on. It’ll be the end of an era…but not for some time yet, I hope…God bless you all…♡
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Oh sweet June…I know. The vet says her vital stuff is amazing! Take care.
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What a wonderful life she has with you all. You are the best cat mama to do so much for her.
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