We're Hurting

CoCo
(1997 - 2007)

Today has been a sad day. It's very difficult to do this.

Too many tears. Too much ache.

The day started with our beloved Coco kitty not behaving normally. Not eating or drinking, and generally looking uncomfortable. We kept an eye on her, but she was looking as though she was in pain. My Sweetie brought her to the vet, twice actually, since they were busy on the first emergency visit. When they checked her out the second time, she had a large mass in her stomach. They said they could have operated, but a positive outcome was unlikely.

There was no option but to put her to sleep so that she would not suffer.

She was only 10 years old.

Coco, was a special kitty. I remember when we got her. We were at the PetSmart, where they had the section for adoptable cats. She was one of three Calico kitties - named Pepsi, Coke, and Sprite by the previous owners. Sprite had been adopted, and Pepsi and Coke remained. Pepsi was a very scared kitty, but Coke (later to be renamed CoCo) came to the side of the cage and rubbed and rubbed and rubbed as if to say "Love me", "Take me home".

And so we did.

When we got her home, to become the fourth of the feline family, she didn't know quite what to do, so she proceeded to find the top shelf of the nearest clothes cupboard, and gaze down upon the world beneath her, while she burrowed down in an old comfy quilt. Little did we know, that this once scared and timid kitty would blossom into the beauty that we knew her as.

She was a total lap cat. If I sat on the couch, she was sure to join within 10 seconds. Not today though. She could only manage to huddle into a more or less comfortable position on the floor.

She would always come to sleep with us. She would usually start on my side, behind my butt, and eventually would saunter over to another more inviting area. Last night was the last time she slept with us.

Over the last couple of years, she began to be more vocal. She had started to "meowp" each time we would say her name. "CoCo"...."meowp"..."CoCo"..."meowp".

Both of us are stunned and in shock at what has happened. We cannot get our heads around this one. There were no signs. She was as normal as anything prior to this.

So, as I write this, My Sweetie and I, with BJ resting on the floor beside us, are editing this to pay homage to CoCo.

She was a very special kitty to us. She was one of our kids.

We will miss her. We already do.