We lost a member of our family this week. Lucy Little Star, aka Kitty cat meows away, aka Kitten, got terribly ill. During my three days off she didn't come in for her nightly sleep inside (she was an indoor, outdoor cat). It worried me, but it's happened before, sometimes she just goes into the garage.
She came home late on Saturday, and didn't want to come inside. I fed her outside and kept an eye on her. By Sunday evening I was really worried. Her food was only halfway gone and she didn't seem to be drinking water.
We took her to the vet in the morning and they gave her antibiotics, injected water under her skin, kept her all day to observe her. She ate a bit and seemed to perk up. We took her home and hoped for the best.
Apparently the best was on the other side. The next morning her breathing was terrible. We tried to feed her and give her water. After getting back from school registration (which was way more complex than I ever imagined was possible), I knew we had lost. She was lying in her own mess.
I wrapped her up and took her to the vet, who was nearly as torn up as I was. Lucy was only 7 years old.
It could have been anything, but I think she ingested something poisonous. Not in our yard but in the neighbor's (who I suspect is poisoning the feral cats, because suddenly many of them are gone). I have no evidence, and besides, it would mean she'd gotten into his yard. Needless to say, our kittens will not be allowed outside.
Lucy was adopted from our local shelter, having been selected by Sierra. She was fantastic with kids, and even starred as the "evil cat" in both of Sierra's movies, "Twinkle Dogs" and "Twinkle Dogs 2 - Revenge of the Evil Cat". (We will be posting them online someday.)
She was definitely cast against type in those movies - she was the sweetest cat in the world. She used to accompany us on walks in the neighborhood when we took the dogs out, slinking from yard to yard like a commando. She purred like a Ferrari, and could be held upside down by three year olds. Lucy never stuck a claw in anyone even though there were times I certainly would have.
I miss her so.