The Loss of a Old Friend

Today my cat Cleo was diagnosed with kidney failure, and my parents and I made the decision to put her down. It was the most awful experience I have ever had to go through. I got Cleo when I was nine and she was more than a pet, she was her own person (and personality). I moved a lot during my childhood, and after we got her in Greensboro, we moved to New Jersey for 7 months and then South Carolina. After South Carolina she came up to Kennett Square, PA. She also came with me to college for two years. I feel like Cleo has always been a sign of all of our memories since we got her in NC. She lived with my parents after I was married, and became very close with my dad. She would sit with him while he read the paper and had morning coffee, it was kind of a ritual.

When we made the decision I knew I couldn't let her die alone, because we didn't intend to put her down when we took her to the vet. I lost it, but got to hold her after she was heavily sedated, and I rocked and sang to her as I do my baby. Then the doctor came in and gave her the shot and she drifted off. My heart broke, and I keep seeing her face in my head. I haven't lost a pet since I was 21, and that was my horse Max. I will truly miss her and I know my parents will miss her too. She was the most beautiful rag doll cat, and was definitely a human trapped in a cat's body by her outgoing and specific personality.