I read the sad news this morning. My sister, Kathy, had to make a decision about her tuxedo kitty, Sox, yesterday. He had a cancerous tumor on a front paw. She wrote:
I did have to have Sox euthanized today. It was so hard to do, but Kitty Boy was miserable and so sad to watch. It took me until 3:30 this afternoon to finally let him go.
Sox in his prime.
My sister “inherited” Sox as a kitten when her grandchildren got him from one of my sister’s neighbors, but were unable to keep him. Like me, she wasn’t a cat person till she got one. We always had dogs when we were little, then no pets till we were older and closer to retirement or retired. Sox was her first kitty.
Sox was an only kitty most of his life. Then my sister had to move. The first day she moved into her new home, she let Sox out to do kitty business, as was their habit from their old home.
That was the last time she saw him for 10 months, a story that I documented here as encouragement to others who lost their kitties. My sister never gave up, and she finally located poor Sox in a shelter!
When Sox disappeared, my sister eventually adopted Molly Moon, who was a bit older than Sox, but is a tuxedo kitty, too.
When Sox returned home, he no longer was the only kitty, and it made adjustment necessary. Molly and Sox eventually became friends and shared my sister without hassles. (Molly, of course, was the top kitty in the home since Sox hadn’t been home to defend his “title” during his absence.)
My sister told me about the tumor and what she had to deal with some time ago, but one hopes against hope for a happy outcome. I didn’t mention it here though anyone who’s followed this blog for any length of time knows the story of Sox and how he was lost then came home.
That story was the “happily ever after” part. Today’s news is the blunt, sad reality. Anyone with kitties, dogs, any creature in their lives knows the joys and laughter they bring, yet always has that other reality at the back of their thoughts: The joy inevitably is followed by the sad reality that those beloved pets are mortal.
Poor Sox. I’ve shed tears for you today. Kathy, I know that you did what was best for Sox, no matter how sad and difficult the task was for you. Hugs and love, sis.
RIP, Sox the tuxedo kitty. Thank you for the joy you brought into my sister’s life.
That’s so sad for your sister but her love for her cat makes the just decition
It never is easy.
I just saw this, 3 weeks later. I hope the healing process has begun for your sister. (It took me so much longer when Lexi passed.) Sometimes it makes you wonder if the old saying about it being better to have loved and lost is accurate. After some of the pain of loss subsides, though, you realize it is always true, with our beloved pets (our babies).
even though one knows sadness is at the end of our association with pets that bring us laughter and joy, it’s worth having them. My sister still misses Sox she says, though she now has his ashes and framed photo set up in remembrance of him. That helps.
it’s hard to lose ’em. My condolences.
Yes, it is. I know my sister is appreciative of all condolences. She is slowly working through this loss.
Hugs … Simply hugs. 😿
Much appreciated, Elizabeth.
Please pass my sympathy along to your sister. The cat’s story is incredible, and she was lucky to find him again. More flowers in the garden, these ones for Sox.
I’ll pass this on to her. Your garden will be magnificent with all the memorial plantings! She spent lots of time and effort to find Sox after he went missing, so it was amazing when she actually found him 10 monthsw later.
sorry to hear of her story!
Thank you. My sister appreciates everyone’s concern.
That’s so sad hope your sister can give it a place.
She will, but she’s very sad at the moment.
Oh that is so sad! RIP Sox… So sorry for your loss, Weggieboy’s sister… 💚
Thank you. My sister will appreciate your thought.
Oh wow. This was such a sad but beautiful post. I’m so sorry for yours and your sister’s loss. This really touched my heart.
Thank you. My sister is heart broken about Sox and I wanted to do a post that helped her in some way.
You gave her a beautiful memorial.
I tried. I know what she’s going through.
I’m sorry to hear about the loss of your sister’s furry friend. It’s always heartbreaking to say goodbye.
I’ve passed on the condolences from readers of this blog. She is appreciative, and her thank you note to you and the others is in the next post, Post 1300. Thank you for your thoughts.
Please pass my condolences to your sister. It’s always hard to lose a beloved pet.
Yes, especially since she had Sox from when he was a kitten. She’s been reading everyone’s condolence messages, and her response back is in Post 1300, which I just posted a short time ago.
a life unloved is a waste.Sox was loved by many by the sounds of it & treated lovingly!
Sox was & will always be loved by those who knew him.
We all pass,but not all are loved.This is his legacy.
Yes, I’d say he was. If you read the story of what she did when he disappeared for 10 months, you’d agree she loved her kitty a lot. My sister’s reply to all the condolence messages is posted as Post 1300.
My deepest condolences to your sister. Our beloved cats become a huge part of our lives, and losing them is never easy…. I am also very partial to a certain tuxedo, and know how wonderful they are.
Shell appreciate your thoughts, Jeanne, as do I. It was a sad end to a beautiful kitty.
I prefer to believe that they become our guardian angels.
I like that.
I am sorry for the loss of this beautiful boy. It is so hard to say goodbye to our beloved pets.
It is, and more so when they aren’t that old.
Godspeed your journey to heaven Sox; you are and always will be loved. We send our sincerest sympathies to your mom and your sister Molly; as she will grieve as well. ♥♥♥
Kathy; I know how extremely difficult this time is; I also know the decision made, was made because of your love and compassion FOR Sox, and ultimately, that love and compassion are the greatest gifts of all. May God grant you peace in your heart ♥♥♥
hugs from us all ~~~
Thank you for a heartfelt message I’m certain will be of comfort to Kathy.
So sorry, dear weggieboy, for your sister and yourself. It is such a sorrow, a difficult decision to take-
Awful days to live – but you find th right words, and also the right way -on your blog, because we can tell you sister and yourself some comfort words, I hope so. My heart with your hearts.
Amitiés – france
Thank you very much. Kathy lived a terrible last day knowing what she had to do, but was not ready to do. Only when she knew poor Sox was past hope did she do what she had to do. None of s wants to be in that position.;
Sorry for the loss. ❤
Thank you, Gunnar. As much as I hate to put this sort of thing in a blog that is meant to be light humor and interesting stories about my cats and the cats of others in my circle of friends and family, the passing of a beloved pet is part of the burden we take on when we bring them into our lifes. We get the fun part while they are with us, and that helps the pain of their loss.
Hugs dear friend. You said it perfectly. We love our babies to the fullest and it is so hard to let go and say goodbye. I’m sending you bunches of hugs from us. XOXO – Bacon’s MOM
Thank you. I will send them on to my sister in Seattle. She needs them much more than me just now. They are much appreciated!
Having gone through it more than once I am sorry for your sister’s loss and the sadness of that tough decision. Animals do understand when we are sad or sick. I’m glad Molly is there for her.
Me, too. That she is also a tuxedo kitty may help. She is a good kitty girl.
One of the ones I lost was Tuxedo Tony, almost a year and still miss him a lot
I don’t think any of us stop missing our little fur buddies when they pass. They are such a big part of our lives while with us.
Coudn’t agree more
I am so sorry for your sister’s kitty loss. It is never easy.
No, and they become so integrate into our daily routine that one constantly is reminded of when they were with us.
my condoleances for this cute cat. May he rest in peace.
Thank you. I’m sure my sister will appreciate your thoughtfulness.
You wrote very beautiful tribute to Sox. We all know the sorrow in the situation were Kathy is now, little by little Sox starts to live again in lovely memories.
Much appreciated. I think her other cat, Molly, has already begun the process of helping her adjust and heal. I am amazed that animals seem to understand when we are sad or hurt. I know my two used to come to me to comfort me when I was sick in 2012 and spent much of the day in bed.
You are so right, they really understand when we need comfort.
I was very touched that they showed concern.
And cats and dogs would comfort, too.
My heart goes out to your sister. Such a sad and painful decision.
I think one makes those sorts of decisions only after one sees a beloved pet in so much pain and suffering that it is clearly the right thing to do for the beloved pet. Similarly, I don’t want any special efforts made to save me once my body shuts down.
Yup, I have a Living Will for that reason.
One of those things I need to just do…. Of course, with my general health issues, it is stupid of me not to have that taken care of. (Thanks for reminding me to just get it taken care of!)
The hospital asked me when I went in for my leg stent. As long as you were in the hospital, I’m surprised those medical people didn’t ask you too.
Every time I’ve been in one, they give me the form to complete. Running down a notary public is the big hang up for me, though I always give a verbal instruction to the doctors involved in my care. Since I always have more than one come around at the same time…. Well, excuses, excuses! I need to just do it!
Your local bank should have a notary.
Yeah, they do.
Oh, this brings tears to my eyes. Beautiful Sox. I am very sorry for your sister’s loss. They bring so much love and joy, it’s hard to let them go to the other side. R.I.P. Sox, you were loved by many.
My sister will read this and I’m certain she will get comfort from this and the other comments. Thank you, Anarette. (I bet she enjoys reading about your two pooches, too, since she, like I, love dogs as well, and your two are lovable doggies!)
It is good to read that Molly is already helping to comfort your sister. Ms. Zulu and later Benji helped us adjust to another equilibrium too.
It turned out to be an unexpected blessing that my sister adopted Molly from a shelter during Sox’s absence.
I am so sad, I remembered my cat (before Princess), he was cancer too and it wasn’t easy time for us, made me cry now. My thoughts my heart with you all, Love, nia
Thank you, Nia. I cried thinking, too, about both Sox, who was a beloved pet of my sister’s and Louie the ginger cat, my late kitty.