Another DU cat crosses the rainbow bridge

[Squeech]

We just took Squeech (from whom I took my DU nick) on his last ride to the vet tonight. He'd lost a major fight a week ago, and he'd been off his feed ever since, and sleeping more than usual. We also observed that he'd been favoring his left rear leg, and we gradually became aware of a swelling on that hip. So we took him in. The vet checked out the swollen area and found an oozing bite mark-- infected.

It's possible that he could have been treated. The sticking point was the law: for rabies control purposes, a cat recovering from an unidentified bite has to be quarantined for a minimum of 45 days. (Cue Cato Institute rant about the nanny state.) Well, this cat has always been very aware of his prerogatives-- when he doesn't want to be confined, you can't even hold him for 45 minutes. We didn't think he was ready to not be a warrior any more, no matter how ill he was-- even in his infirmity, he still wanted to go out every night-- and it felt like a crap shoot every night whether he'd still be around in the morning.

He was fiercely independent to the point of crankiness, but sweet when he wanted to be. His parting gift to me was to vomit on my sleeve.

Should I change my DU nick now?

[Catch22Dem]

1. Poor kitty. I feel for you.

Of course you should keep your du nick.

[City Lights]

2. What a sad story. My heart goes out to you.

:hug:

And in honor of Squeech, you should not change your DU name. Just MHO.

[Left Is Write]

3. I'm so sorry.

[MissB]

4. I'm so sorry for your loss

Don't change your name. How would we know you?

[flamingyouth]

5. I'm very sorry for your loss

And I agree with everyone else, keep your name in his honor.

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

6. I'm so sorry

He does sound like a real warrior. It's terribly hard to lose beloved furry friends.

[GreenPartyVoter]

7. I am so sorry. Any time you need to talk, just check in with us at

the bereavement group.

And as to your nick, would it hurt more to keep it or change it? (And I am thinking, is it a change you might feel ok with now bu regret later on?)

*hugs*

[serryjw]

8. Furrbabies are not always on their best behavior

but we love them and I'm sure you will miss him. I am so sorry but happy he is out of pain.

[elshiva]

9. Sorry!

:cry: :cry: :hug: :hug: :grouphug:

[pansypoo53219]

10. well, when my pansy goes

i will probably still be pansypoo.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

11. I'm so sorry

:-( :hug:

poor kitty! You should definitely keep your name!