Wednesday, July 18, 2012

My Furry Firstborn

13 months ago today, we lost our tuxedo kitty, Oreo (http://raclee.blogspot.com/2011/06/healing-begins.html).  Last night his “brother” Furby joined him both spiritually and physically.  My two boys have been with me through thick and thin – through moves, relationships, children, other pets – and they were always the constant in my adult life.  Having them both gone leaves a hole in my heart.

Furby was a birthday gift from my then-boyfriend for my 20th birthday.  I remember going to the humane society, and as soon as I picked up a 1 ½ year old cat named Furby, he gave me a hug.  He forever had my heart.  

Furby experienced a lot of change during his time with me – a concept that kitties do not like.  He briefly lived with my then-boyfriend, spent a few nights with me in my college dorm room, and lived with my parents for 2 years while I lived in an apartment that didn’t accept pets.  After I graduated college and moved out on my own, I purposely chose an apartment where I could finally have my Furby.  He was soon joined by Oreo and within a year, I was moving to Bloomington.  There he met my stepdaughter, a female kitty, moved with us to our new home, met a bunny, lost the female kitty and bunny, met Amelia, lost his best friend Oreo, and met Charlie.  If there was anything constant in his life, it was change.

And while he may not have been the friendliest kitty when it came to strangers, he had a loyalty to those he loved.  Our household and select members of the family would get to see the softer side of Furby – the side I fell in love with.  After Oreo passed, Furby became a much more docile cat, and you could tell he missed his best friend.

About 2 weeks ago, Furby was diagnosed with diabetes.  It was determined that he would be given a special diet and two shots of insulin a day.  He did great in his first week on the medicine.  A few days ago, his health began to deteriorate.  Yesterday, we took him to the doctor for a recheck.  After explaining his symptoms they found the following:   dehydration, muscle mass loss, lost 1 pound in 2 weeks, obstructed bowel, extremely weak back legs.  After discussing it, we decided that he deserved to no longer be in pain. 

We buried him next to Oreo under our dogwood tree, where they will forever lay next to each other.  We know that they are playing again in another place, and I hope to one day see them both again.  As I said last year, they have been “my boys” and the furry loves of my life.  They have forever left paw prints on my heart!

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