REST IN PEACE, SWEET PRINCESS
There’s something to be said for the love foster parents gives older cats. It’s life-changing for these cats who have lost their entire worlds – their homes and their people.
And when adoption day comes and an older cat finds that forever home … well, it’s what all of us at Golden Oldies Cat Rescue work so hard for.
Missy was one of those cats.
There was a time when Missy had a wonderful life: a comfy home and a guardian who loved and spoiled her with her favorite foods, soft blankets and lots of treats. Then her guardian developed dementia and went blind. She could no longer care for Missy.
Missy came to Golden Oldies in October 2020. She weighed just 6 pounds. She was so thin every vertebra could be felt. Her hip bones protruded. Her stomach sunk inward. Still, there was curiosity and a zest for life in her eyes. Cheek and chin scratches were rewarded with melodic purrs and a gentle tap to the hand with a paw to demand more.
However, we quickly realized it was not neglect that was at the root of Missy’s 4-pound weight loss in three years.
Frequent vomiting and days where Missy refused to eat no matter how many types of food were presented brought us to Monterey Animal Hospital for an ultrasound. It revealed inflammation of her gastro-intestinal tract. Our next stop was Pet Specialists for blood tests, X-rays and a biopsy of Missy’s intestinal tract.
The diagnosis was inflammatory bowel disease.
Missy was placed on numerous medications, including Chlorambucil, a chemotherapy medication used for cancer and IBD. Exams and monitoring of her blood values were the norm.
Through it all, Missy and her foster mom, Joan, developed a bond. And so on Valentine’s Day 2021, Joan adopted her.
Three days later, we lost this little girl who gave and received so much love in her short time with us. Missy crossed the Rainbow Bridge at about 4 PM February 16th nestled in a plush cat bed on Joan’s lap. Joan was stroking her back and Margaret was rubbing her chin and cheeks. A big thank you to the compassionate staff at Pet Specialists and Dr. Fradkin for helping Missy cross the Rainbow Bridge.
She had stopped eating four days prior and had lost almost a pound in two weeks. She huddled on the couch. She sat and stared at her water bowl.
She did not even protest when Joan put her in the carrier to take her to Pet Specialists. She uttered a few meows as we waited in the parking lot.
And perhaps the most telling sign was the absence of her beautiful purr … and only one or two weak nudges to the hand with her head asking for petting instead of her usual insistent pushing into your hand.
Missy was tired and telling us she was ready to go. The time had come for us to help her on her way.
It was a tearful goodbye to our Princess, our Miss America, our Missy Miss who loved napping on the couch, drinking from the dog’s water bowl and making it be known that she ruled the house. Missy once made a stand against Kayden, the 80-pound resident Golden Retriever, by blocking her path from the living room to the kitchen and refusing to budge. And with just a look, she could send the other resident cat, Jeepers, scampering to the upper regions of the house.
Missy was a Princess through and through and her time with us was precious. We are heartbroken that we could not save her.
Safe travels across the Rainbow Bridge, our tough but sweet little ragamuffin.
By Margaret
