My little cat, Ray Charles, who was less than two years old, died today due to feline infectious peritonitis. Poor Ray had a really rough life: found feral in a junkyard, blinded in one eye due to a feline herpetic infection (this was cured with intensive treatment from a feline opthalmologist), and not adopted after spending two months at the city shelter (please, people; consider the BLACK kittens and BLACK cats. Don't pat yourself on the back for your originality in seeking out an orange cat or another exotic color. It's the black cats who need you). Ray went up for adoption with his silver tabby sister, who was snapped up within two days despite the fact that her vision was severely limited in both eyes, but the people who adopted her weren't interested in taking Ray as her companion. The Sober Husband kindly gave me Ray for my birthday, as I felt horrible that no one had adopted him, and Ray turned out, for the short time we had him, to be everyone's favorite cat. Always snuggling with us and seeking human contact, he was nicknamed "Baby" and beloved by all.
Ray especially loved kittens and interacted nonstop with all the litters we fostered last year. He groomed them, slept with them, and roughhoused with them, making up for their own too early separations from their own mothers. It won't be the same fostering without him.
Lola's best friend from kindergarten was hugely attached to Ray Charles and told everyone, "When Ray Charles dies, I will die!" At the time, I assured her Ray would live a long, long time. Hopefully the untimely deaths will stop with this one. RIP Ray. You were really ripped off in life in so many ways, and I will miss you always.
6 comments:
well rough as ray's life started, he had the best a cat could hope for during his time with you. a loving home, friends and the chance to be remembered.
So sorry.
Some animals are just affection hogs. They worm they way into our hearts and sit there. We had a cat that has been dead nearly ten years and we mention her at least once a day. My sympathies.
While I offer my condolences (I lost a young cat about two years ago with unknown intestinal problems that were detected when it was already too late--though we still went through with the surgery to try to help her), I am thrilled to see you championing black cats and their need of adoption!
I must add that black dogs have the same trouble with adoption. For everyone thinking about getting a shelter pet, keep in mind that black dogs are also severely under-adopted.
I am really sorry to hear he's gone. I hope the girls aren't taking it too hard.
I'm sorry.
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