Rest in Peace, Kiki
Kiki was a beautiful 12-year-old, gray and white handsome cat, who had spent his entire life with the same people since being adopted as a kitten from a local rescue. When his people passed away, Kiki came to Golden Oldies where I had the pleasure to be his foster.
He was with me for only five short weeks. During that time, the loss of everything Kiki knew and loved was too much for him to bear. He stopped eating and was depressed. He spent most of his time sitting atop a tall cat tree looking out the window at the world beyond. Maybe wondering where ‘his people’ were.
After a few weeks with me, after continuing to show little to no interest in eating, he was hospitalized under the care of a team of veterinarians. He had a thorough medical workup that included extensive lab work, ultrasound, and x-rays that led to the placement of a feeding tube to help support him. After the feeding tube was placed Kiki was able to come home with me, after spending a week in the care of the veterinary team. Sadly, a few days after returning he again declined and the decision was made to end his suffering.
Kiki had a serene demeanor about his situation and handled it with a calmness I’ve rarely seen in a cat. He seemed to accept everything that was happening. I believe acceptance was a lesson Kiki brought to those who loved him.
Kiki never complained. He never even meowed! He DID purr, though. Every time I would lie down on the bed in his room, he immediately jumped on the bed to be with me, purring constantly as I gave him the attention he’d been missing. I told him so many times that he was a good boy because he was.
During his last three days with me, he was so sick he didn’t have the energy to join me on the bed. Still, he did not complain. He just looked at the world outside.
Kiki had a good 12 years and was loved to the end.
The decision to send him on his way wasn’t an easy one. It never is. But in the end, it was the right decision.
Kiki will be missed. But he’s now free of pain and can roam the other side of that window. He definitely was a good boy.
We did everything we could to make him feel safe and loved but we couldn’t mend his broken heart.
By John, Kiki’s foster dad
