Goodbye Smoke

Two weeks ago we had to have our old and sick cat euthanized.  That is such a hard decision to make.  One day more than twenty years ago I had a cat that had diabetes his fur would rip off, then it would heal again.  I asked my mother in law (who loved animals also) how do I make this decision.? She said "you will know when it is time".  No truer words had been spoken and I can always hear her saying that to me especially this time.  Smoke was Kevin's cat.  He would hop up with him and sleep.  When it got to the point where he couldn't jump up then he would meow and Kevin would bring him up on the bed.  I could not make a fast decision on this one, I had to let Kevin get used to the idea, and we had known he was sick for about a year.  I feel he had renal failure as a lot of older cats get. 

When Smoke was young and Kevin was 4, I would see them in the back yard and Smoke would be chasing him and smacking his legs for reasons only Smoke knows. 

Smoke showed up at the front door one day, and he had a really pretty face and he stuck around.  Of course eventually I fed him, then eventually he made his way into the house, then eventually he jump up on the furniture and that was it, he made his home. 

He was a very unassuming, quiet cat with a very soft meow.  Inside he had  steel determination  though and he would get what he wanted.

He used to love Halloween and he would lay down in the middle of the sidewalk so that every kid that came trick or treating had to stop and pet him.  "Oh look! a cat !"

He was a cheap shot artist also.  A neighborhood cat ventured into our yard one day.  Stonewall and Sebastian were mixing it up with him.  It looked like the cartoons, fur flying, all three were entangled in a ball spinning around.  Finally everything quiets down and then here comes Smoke running in to throw a cheap shot to the alien cat.  Then he walks away saying "there, that should do it"!

When finally Smoke, couldn't eat, drink or walk I said "Kevin it's time".  He has no quality of life anymore, this is not fair to Smoke. 

It's been a long time since I have had to euthanize an animal.  All my animals have had long lives.  There are so many choices that can be done with the family pets now. 

We chose the package, told the vets office and Smoke came home in this nice carrying bag.

 

They made a clay paw print  and it came in this paw print bag.

This was very touching and we love it.

Such the cute tissue paper.

Smokes remains are in this little wooden box with his name engraved and paw prints.
Kevin could not stand the thought of his ashes mixed in with any other cats.

Here he is in a cellophane bag tied with a raffia ribbon. 

We got a little book where we can put down memories and some of his fur was included. 

Here is my painting "Three on a Wall".  That's Smoke in the middle.  He is also on my banner in the "Party Time" painting. 

Here he is in October of 2013 right after the baby Sophie came to live with us.  I think she is about ready to pounce.

Rest in Peace, our dear 19 year old Smoke.  May you be running around with Gretchen our German Shepherd.  They were such Buddies.