At 5:30 p.m. on April 3, 2013…

Cyclone took his last breath in this world and traveled off in the winds to a much better place. He lost over half of his body weight in a week. The vet suspected cancer and we decided the best thing for him, and the hardest thing for us would be to let him go. I kissed his sweet forehead and told him how sorry I was that we lost 9 years of our lives together and he left on a flood of tears. Even the vet was sorry that he had to say goodbye to him. Steve did tell me that he was glad I was his client because I give all the cats under my care the benefit of the doubt. He said that some of his clients bring him cats that are nuisances and they just want rid of them, or that the care they need is to involved and they don’t “have time” to take care of the cat.

All I know is my wanderer is now running over the Bridge into the arms of a young man who has instructions to take very good care of this golden boy-

I love you Cyclone- you changed my life drastically and gave me hope in moments when I didn’t think any hope existed any more.

cy

15 thoughts on “At 5:30 p.m. on April 3, 2013…

  1. So sorry to read about Cyclone.I suspect he knew the end was near when
    he came back to you. He wanted to be where he found love & kindness
    before in his life.You did your best by him & tried to make him comfortable
    with his man cave.You have had a rough past few days with Smokey Joe,
    Baby Grace & now this.Bless you for all that you do.

  2. Oh, I am crying now. This Iowa State Cyclone Fan has followed your Cyclone story with all the best in mind for him. I’m so sorry that he finally gave up but am so happy that you were there for him. Your vet is right about your place in their lives. Cyclone knew exactly where to go for comfort in his time of need. Thank-you Maryanne.

  3. Poor Cyclone. He sure had his troubles, and he fought hard, with your help. I’m glad you were there for him at the end.

  4. Prayers for those of us that Cyclone left behind. RIP precious boy and know that you are loved! Courage to the end!

  5. I can’t bury him as the ground is saturated and unstable. I took him into the forest and we sat together a good long time. I couldn’t let him go. I tried to put him on the nest of pine leaves several times, but my arms wouldn’t obey my commands. Just like after he was gone at the vet, they asked me if I wanted them to put him into a plastic bag. I snapped out “He’s not garbage!” I know they meant that when he evacuated his bowels it would be messy, but I still couldn’t do it. The vet expressed his bladder and cleaned up the mess before I put him inside the carrier. I’m sitting here bawling like a baby with Tover in my arms- his silly back leg draped against my arm and missing Cyclone like crazy.

    I knew he was leaving us a few days ago when he started picking at his food and doing the silent meow thing, I knew this homecoming was short but my hand still shook when I signed the final paper yesterday. I was remembering the cat who ran in circles over my head on the ceiling right after being released from his neuter trip. The one the vet “thought” he had put under for a neuter and who came out of the anesthesia and trashed the surgical room so bad no surgeries took place that day! The orange boy with glowing eyes who was backed in the farthest corner of the room ready to run and attack my ankles should I dare enter his space. The kitty who after months of easy socialization allowed my granddaugher kelsey to dress him in doll clothes- and who started bringing me other cats in need when he was out and about and being a cat. An exceptional boy- one I am so privileged to have met and worked with and a cat who I will never forget.

    Life does indeed go on but a major part of my heart is now missing and laying with a golden boy in the forest on a pile of pine needles covered in flowers and grasses.

  6. So sad to hear this. My heart goes out to you. I agree with Linda on her post – he may have known it was time to come home and spend his last few months with you.
    My wish is that your memories of Cyclone will bring some comfort and happiness to you

  7. I’m so so so sorry to hear about Cyclone. I read it this morning on my smartphone and had a good cry.

    He reminded me so of my Possum. I adopted Possum from a local Petsmart from Ally Cat Allies last July. He was ear tipped and the card said he lived a hard life with a feral colony but got along well with other cats and was a gentle soul. They estimated he was between 6-8 but I could tell by holding him that he was older. In December he started breathing rapidly so I brought him in for tests. Along with fluid in his lungs and an enlarged heart and thyroid, he also had a tumor in one lung and was in advanced liver failure. The vet estimated he was between 14-16 years old. I brought him back home for hospice care for three more weeks before having to put him down.

    Even though it was devastating for me, I feel like I was meant to find Possum and give him a forever home, even if it was only for 6 months. May you be comforted in knowing that you gave Cyclone a wonderful life for the time you had together.

  8. oh, I am so so sorry. Cyclone knew where to come for the last period of his life, where he was safe and loved. You will see him again, I am just so sorry for your pain. It is just terrible.

  9. My heart cries for Cyclone. But he came home, to you, to the love and comfort he knew, for his last months. A blessing for both of you. Hugs.

  10. Well damn, I’ll miss him & your stories of him. Thank you for your kindness to him.

  11. Job 12:7-10

    “But now ask the beasts, and let them teach you; And the birds of the heavens, and let them tell you. “Or speak to the earth, and let it teach you;
    And let the fish of the sea declare to you. “Who among all these does not know That the hand of the Lord has done this, In whose hand is the life of every living thing, And the breath of all mankind?

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