SAD, SAD DAY

Today did not start out so well. I enjoy blogging about things that bother me because it helps get it out. We had a family cat for almost 6 years. He was loved by my husband and stepdaughters, tolerated by me and J, and STRONGLY disliked by outsiders. He was not a PEOPLE cat. But he was a beautiful cat. The picture perfect FAT CAT that sits in front of a fire and makes your house seem more cozy and comfy. I loved that part of him. And deep down I loved him enough not to want to see him suffer or die. I just wanted him to go to another good home ESPECIALLY the times when I came home to poop on my carpet and hairballs on the floor. And the infamous smell of cat poop when you are desperately trying to find out WHERE IT IS!! So many times I griped and griped about that cat to ANYONE who would listen. I mouthed off everyday how much I hated him. But I never wished him dead (0kay-maybe once or twice but not seriously). Last night, he was sick. Very sick. So sick I even held him on my lap and petted him while feeling so sorry for him and helpless. My DH and I knew something was wrong so he decided he would take him to the vet the next morning. He never got a chance to do that. He woke up a couple of times in the middle of the night to check on Avery (said Cat's name) and he was still sick but alive. We just knew he would make it to the vet-we would pay a huge bill and life would go on! This morning, my youngest stepdaughter (we got Avery when she was in kindergarten and she is now in 6th grade) went in to see him and he looked up at her , gasped, and took his last breath. So sad. So very sad. She yelled out he was dead in tears. I yelled back NOT TO BE SO DRAMATIC. I assumed she THOUGHT he was dead because he looked so frail. DH checked-he was. And so the mourning began. I felt and overwhelming sadness come over me as tears welled up in my eyes. My girls were crying. I knew DH was tore up because he kept trying to squeeze life back into him but to no avail. He LOVED that cat and that cat LOVED him. He knew to go to DH for anything and to stay away from me. My girls and I went off to school -horribly sad and crying-leaving DH to bury the cat. I am glad he did it by himself. I know him well enough to know it was hard on him. As I sit here tonight and ponder on Avery's life- I know he had a good one. He was special to us! He was our FAMILY cat. And even though I will not lie and say I will miss the litter box, the spilled food and water, and the hairballs. I need to admit there is something missing in our home tonight and in our hearts. Our beloved Cat "Avery Jay!"