Show and Tell- Rest In Peace Prue

Two days ago, when J started crawling fast enough to chase the cats, I caught him tormenting our younger cat Prue. This picture shows her after she moved to a different windowsill.

It ended up being the last picture I ever took of her.

Yesterday I noticed that she seemed quite thin. I could see her ribs and feel her spine. Her fur stuck up as if she hadn't been grooming herself, she wasn't eating or drinking very much, and walked carefully, as if she went any faster, she might fall.

Last night I dreamed she was hiding in the house somewhere and I was afraid she was dead.

I took her to the vet this morning, worried she had an infection. The vet, Dr S, felt her kidneys and said, "Oh my! We need an ultrasound!" Her kidneys were enormous. They were full of tumors. The only thing we could do was put her to sleep.

I knew this was coming. I've been through this before with another cat, Luna. A year after I met Mr S, my faithful companion through all the lean years suddenly lost 3 pounds in 7 days time. She had been to the vet for a check-up on a Friday and was given the all clear. She rapidly lost weight in those 7 days, became weak and lethargic, wouldn't eat or drink. My sister T took her to the vet for me, since I was working/going to school. She ended up calling me to say they'd found a grapefruit-sized tumor in her stomach, and multiple tumors in her gut and liver as well. We brought her home and then took her to the vet the next day, sister T, Mr S, and I. This was actually one of the things that sealed the deal for me as far as Mr S goes- he acted just right when I was a bawling basket-case.

I was thinking of Luna as I drove Prue to the vet, wondering if the same thing had happened to her. It had. I called Mr S at home and updated him. I didn't want him bringing J, who has had a mild fever today, out in the sleet. I called sister T to let her know. I stayed with Prue as the vet put her to sleep. It was peaceful and quick- she died purring as I stroked her head. I shed a few tears. The vet was crying too- this was the third time this day she had to euthanize a pet, and this was the first animal, she said, that she had known since they were young who she had to euthanize.

Our Prue had been with us only two years. She was a stray- a rarity in our neighborhood. Mr S and I were taking a late-autumn walk when she came rushing out to me, wanting to be petted. I did- and she followed me home. It began raining that evening, and she was still on our deck. I let her in, gave her food and water, and she spent the night. The next morning I put her back outside. She cried for hours, until I couldn't take it anymore and let her back in. I tried to find an owner but never did. She was quite skinny, like she hadn't eaten in a long while. I took her to the vet and discovered she was sick. She had a fever, was full of worms, and had a respiratory infection. It took several visits to Dr S to get her well, but she thrived. She always was afraid to be outside too long, as if she was afraid she would be chucked away again. I don't know why anyone would abandon such a beautiful, loving kitten. Once cuddled in a lap, nothing could induce her to move.

Rest in peace, beautiful girl.