About 5 years ago, I promised an ex wife that I'd care for our twin Hymie cats. They were bought after a long time Hymie, Siggy, died. Siggy was famous friends with Jake, my Springer Spaniel. The twins were both females and named Coquette, later just Coco, and Amelie, later just Ami. They were adorable and quickly took to Jake grooming his long ears while he stared in bliss off into the distance.
The girls as we called them got along well, but each had their own defined personality. Coco being mischievous and nic named “Ninja” and Ami more slow, deliberate and sweet with lots of nose exfoliating kisses. Still, they held common lineage and were lovely friends.
After some business travel, Coco took a sudden turn developing a limp and quickly lost interest in eating then drinking. I spent thousands with vets trying to get her back into reasonable shape but it proved too much for her and mercifully I had her put to sleep. I don't like doing that but she was observably suffering and from what exactly has never been known. One vet said she had arthritis but it just didn't seem plausible.
Ami survived her sister and gave me another wonderful year of friendship. I am not a cat person per se but these two were exceptional and I melted from their love and attention.
Ami also stopped eating and it was right after her last grooming so I feel I influenced her decline. Her fur had become matted and pulled on her skin making her uncomfortable so my intention was good. I think the trauma of the grooming never wore off and after not eating she stopped drinking just staring at water. I have heard others speak of similar experiences. My observation was that she was exhausted and done with life. I can't say she was in pain like Coco had been but she was despondent . I tried everything. I fried her favorite chicken livers, offered her cheese, she loved Gruyere, and every cat food under the sun. No change. I let her go on February 15 2024 and it is somewhat comforting to think she is now with Coco. Of course, such romantic ideas only serve to gently relieve me from my guilt burdened loss. It's ineffective.
Adios Ami and Coco. Small cats that loom large in my life and memory.
Best to all Animal Lovers out there,
Donn Marier
DM-Your Own CFO
