Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Grab a Tissue

As you know, my brother's cats have been visiting for the past two and a half weeks while he went on a once-in-a-lifetime tour of Europe including Italy, Greece, Amsterdam and some other places I'm probably forgetting. The cats are used to being here, as they visit often and at one time they were even short-term permanent residents here on the farm. In fact I'd go so far as saying they like it here, even though their cousin, Ethel, doesn't return the sentiment.

Geo and Loki are the closest thing to nephews I'll ever have on my side of the family. They are very much my brother's children. The only children he and his late wife ever had. The cats are so attached to my brother it's crazy, especially Geo. When it's almost time for my brother to come home from work, Geo starts hanging out by the door, meowing. He can't wait for his Daddy to come home.


He takes great care of them and spares no expense for their health and welfare. This, in fact, has amassed into a rather large sum of cash over the years. One of the reasons they stay with me while he travels is so that I can take care of their medical needs. Loki has some sort of eating disorder along with a host of other issues and if his diet is not handled just right he will commence with projectile vomiting. As you can imagine, this makes him a less than desirable house guest for most people.

Four years ago, Geo was diagnosed with a heart condition. Most likely he was born with it. And it may even be part of what makes his personality so laid back and just plain cool. Envision Bob Marley as a cat. If you didn't know better you'd swear he must have just smoked a joint. You might even think he was spaced out with a case of the munchies.



His favorite activities include licking paper and curling up into a tiny ball in whatever out-of-the-way container he could find, box, bowl, teacup - whatever. Never mind that he is 14-times the size of the teacup. He just wants a quiet spot. A goofball with a capital G.



Over the past year or so, Geo's health has been deteriorating. Fluid continues to build up around his heart and he has undergone several procedures to drain the fluid along with taking daily medicine. Anything he needed, my brother would get. Yet each time I saw Geo I could tell just by looking at him he was getting a little worse.

This visit was no different. Several days after he arrived I noticed he had all but given up grooming himself and he started relieving himself in inappropriate places. Sure signs that he wasn't well. I called the vet and they politely explained that there was really nothing else they could do. At this point, it was only a matter of time. So I gave him a little more attention, sat with him and petted him longer than usual and tried to enjoy him as much as I possibly could, worried that this very well may be his last visit to the farm.

He wasn't content, I could tell. He wanted his Daddy to come home. My brother came to pick them up last night. Geo passed away early this morning.

He brought him back and we buried Geo in the meadow by the creek under the giant sycamore tree. I think he would like it there. It's out of the way and quiet.

There are pets, and then there are GREAT pets. But Geo was the best of the best. The coolest cat to walk this earth. His paw prints will remain forever on our hearts.





Photobucket

34 comments:

Unknown said...

This hurts....I'm so sorry. So very sorry.

Unknown said...

That is just so sad. It sounds like he had a great life and came to rest in the best possible place. Thanks for sharing his story with us.

Terri said...

I am so sorry for your loss. Our pets are family and losing them just breaks my heart. I'm glad Geo had the love of a good family - so many of them don't, you know?

Sharon said...

What a sad story. But I'm glad Geo waited to leave until his Daddy got home. It would have been worse if it had happened while he was gone, I think. Thank you for sharing his story. He was a beautiful cat, and it sounds like a very special soul. I'm so sorry that he's gone.

Tonia said...

Thats soo sad....

Michelle said...

Oh my; I wasn't expecting that heart-rending end to the story. People hang on until their loved ones arrive (my father-in-law did); why not pets? So glad, if one can say that in this situation, that your brother got to say good-bye. I'm so sorry.

Nancy K. said...

Your poor brother must be devastated! How wonderful that Geo was left in your care for what turned out to be his final days. I'm sure that it was the love and great care that you gave him that gave him the strength to wait for his "Dad" to come home. Geo is at peace ~ now it is the hearts that he left behind that must suffer.

Renee said...

I am very sorry for your and your brother's loss. But I am glad he got a chance to say Ggood-bye to Geo. I am sure that is what Geo is waiting for. How is Loki doing? She will mourn too.

Cindy said...

I am so very sorry for your family's loss. I think there is nothing worse than the loss of a pet.

deborah said...

You, your brother and loved ones are in my thoughts and prayers. I could tell from the pictures that Geo was blessed with a special personality..so of course he would wait for his father to come home so he could see him one last time. I do need a tissue, my heart is breaking for your brother.

GardenOfDaisies said...

Oh no, not Geo. I am so sorry. Losing a pet is so hard. I'm glad that your brother was able to see his kitty cat one more time before he died. Loki has probably been wandering around the house looking for him. Hugs to all of you.

Treasia Stepp said...

I've got tears running down my face now as I had quietly fell in love with Geo the other day when you posted about him. He was a beautiful cat. I am glad he got to be reunited with his Daddy before he passed. He'll be waiting now at Rainbow Bridge for Daddy someday to come.

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

We lost one of our golden retrievers just over a week ago--So I know all too well how it feels to be broken hearted right now...Thanks for sharing his last days with us...

God speed Geo...

englishteacup said...

How sad. By the sound of it Geo had a wonderful life and was very loved. I am sad for your brothers loss.I have two wonderful cats as well, Daisy is 18 years old and Thomas is 7 years old and are as much a part of our family as our kids.

Karen Anne said...

I'm so sorry...

Kim said...

I am so sorry to hear George passed. He was muched loved, I am sure, and sounds the sweetest.

I'm gonna tell Mom! said...

Heartbreaking. I am comforted knowing he was with his Daddy at the end. It would have been harder for everybody if he passed away before your brother got home.
My condolences to you and your brother.
kim

Tammy said...

So sorry that Geo passed on. I can imagine his Daddy is devastated. The wonderful care he gave to his kitties says it all. I'm so very glad for both Geo and his Daddy that Geo waited until he got home.
Take care,
Tammy

Anonymous said...

Beautifully written. Mom

Patsy said...

I know! We lost our oh so smart cat Blackie.He let us live with him for 18 years. We miss him so much.
Patsy

thecrazysheeplady said...

I only read this post because I thought it was going to be a funny one about you being sick (only you could write a funny post about being sick). Now I'm sitting here crying for a cat and a brother I don't even know. You captured some beautiful pictures of him...which only helps a tiny bit I suppose. {{{hugs}}}

Mom L said...

I loved the photos of Geo that you posted the other day, and I'm so very sorry he's moved on. I'm really not surprised that he waited for your brother to get home.

Nancy in Iowa

Wendy said...

(You made me cry.)
I am so very sorry for your loss, Christine & Brother...

Tracey said...

It sounds like he had a GREAT life and was very, very well taken care of and loved. I know the feeling. We just lost our little bird we've had for 11 years. You lose one of your family members and it's miserable. Thank you for sharing this. It's got to be hard on you as well.

Teri said...

So sorry to hear of your brother's loss. Geo was a beautiful cat. I can completely understand the grief - we have 5 cats ourselves. So glad he waited for his daddy to come get him.

I'm gonna tell Mom! said...

I hope your brother is okay. It will take some time to get over. My thoughts and best wishes go out to your family.
Bonnie Jo

Stasia said...

I'm so very sorry for your family's loss. :( Geo must have felt very loved.

Taryn said...

I always love your blog so I am so sad about Geo. I am sure even Ethel feels terrible. Keep up the great posts and extend my sympathies to your brother. Glad he made it home in time.

Penny said...

Oh my, I am so sorry. Geo had a grand life and knew he was loved.

CathyD. said...

Oh Christine, I've been following your blog for over a year now and I feel like part of the family.
Your recent posts about Ethel and your nephews were so special.
I am sure Geo was waiting for her Daddy to come home. I hope that will be a comfort to your brother.
It just shows how much Geo loved him. My sympathy and hugs to all.

CathyD. said...

Sorry, "His" Daddy.
force of habit since all I've had are girls recently.

JeanneLee said...

Awww, Christine what a beautiful cat...what wonderful photos to remember him by.

Mrs. Cherry Heart said...

Aw precious Geo......God rest his soul!
I know your heart must be aching!
Our pets are our babies.....
I am glad he got to spend his last moments with his dad and got to spend time at your farm too!

Blessings, Dolly

come visit

Anonymous said...

Geo was definitely the coolest cat I have ever met... I am not usually a cat-lover but he made it impossible not to love him :-)