Pandora

Posted By: Peter DavidPosted On:

I let my cat out to wander last night at about 3 AM. We found her early this morning under the porch, frightened. Her hindquarters were not functioning. The entire back of her body felt cold.

I rushed her to the vet, who suspected heart problems were the cause, and he in turn referred us to a nearby specialty animal hospital. I brought her there straightaway, and after running her through a variety of tests including an echocardiogram, she was diagnosed as having developed a thromboembolic disease as a result of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. In english, she had blockage in her heart, some of which had broken off and deadened her from the waist down. She was checked in to the hospital, placed in an oxygen cage, and they were going to work to revive her hindquarters and maybe–maybe–reduce or eliminate the blockage in her heart.

She passed away four hours later.

I can’t tell you the number of times she would curl up in my lap while I was writing. She was my constant companion in my office.

I will miss her terribly.

PAD

134 comments on “Pandora”

  1. As someone who posts under his cat’s name, my heartfelt condolences.

    garbonzo

  2. I am sorry for your loss. We lost a wonderful kitty last November, and it seemed like she stayed in my life, sick and struggling, until I had so many children that she thought I would have enough others to love that she could take her leave. She was that kind of kitty. Have you ever read “Cat Heaven?” I found it helpful to read to my kids after Dite was gone.

  3. Peter,

    I’d just like to offer my condolences. I know what it’s like to lose a beloved pet, and I offer my condolences.

  5. My deepest condolences on your loss, Mr. David and family.
    I think I’m going to go curl up on the living room couch with our pets: first Wil Wheaton, then Diane Duane, then Laurell Hamilton, and now you — every author I admire is in mourning for someone, and not a thing I can do to ease your pain.
    God bless and keep you.

  7. Sean: I wouldn’t feel this kind of empathy if Byrne’s cat died. (sorry, had to lighten it up a bit)
    Luigi Novi: Not funny, IMO. But maybe that’s just because my own Elsa is convalescing herself as we speak.

    Tom Tryon, that sentiment was beautiful.

  9. David — Peter and I are so sorry. We know all too well how you feel. It’s only a few weeks since we lost Bubble, a veritable tiger among cats: a powerful personality, the Sleeper Upon Printers — and much too suddenly gone, much too young.

    Be hugged. It’s all we can do.

  11. My sincere sympathy.

    Pandora passed obviously knowing her Papa loved her.

    I cannot imagine how much you will miss her.

  12. Many condolences and sympathies, as I’ve had many a pet pass on. And not a few were to feline leukemia, which got them as kittens…

    Be well, challenge that it might be.

  13. And not a few were to feline leukemia, which got them as kittens…

    Just wanted to make sure you know that there is a vaccine for that. It takes three shots within a few months at first, and then one a year. But it’s worth it.

  14. Hey PAD, I’m sorry to hear of Pandoras passing. My cat Cleo went through a very similar thing hours before she passed away so I know how helpless a pet owner can feel. Especially when those pets have helped us out so many times with unconditional love and friendship. I guess in my little world I like to think that those pets know how much they mean to us and I’m sure Pandora knew how loved she was by you and your family.

    All the best,
    Ethan

  15. 1I add my sympathies to the list.

    It never gets easier to lose a pet. Still, I don’t think I’d like to be the sort of person for whom it did get easier.

  16. I’m really sorry to hear that. When I lost my cat, it took me a while to get used to her not being around, and I’d often wake up in the morning, see an empty chair, and think “Where is she? … Oh yeah” I suspect that it not’s very ergonomic to type with a cat in your lap, but it’s certainly comfortable.

  18. I know what you are going through. We recently had to have our one cat put to sleep to save her from suffering from a terminal illness. The night before, I slept downstairs to keep her company and cried all night. Even now, weeks later, just talking about it has me misting up. It’s never easy.

  20. My sympathies as well. I lost my previous cat 2 years ago now but the guilt of having her put down due to her terminal disease still haunts me. I thought I was coping until I got outside the vet and the enourmity of what I had just done suddenly hit me, just this overwhelming weight of guilt. It was over half an hour before I could compose myself enough to safely drive home.
    Although with my current cat, every time hes not well and the vet fixes him I feel like Ive redeemed myself a little more. Saved him where I couldnt save my previous one, and the guilt lifts gradually.

  21. After some thought, I’d like to apologise for my contribution to the current flame war going on. (You’d think after a while I would lose my taste for debate)
    You shouldn’t have to put up with that sort of šhìŧ, especially now of all times.

    You and your family continue to be in my prayers.

    -Rex Hondo-

  22. I’m so sorry. I lost a cat to cariomyopathy five years ago in much the same circumstances.

    My sympathy to you and yours.

  24. Just over two weeks ago, I noticed that Seiko was no longer twelve pounds of pure siamese love. He was eight pounds. He had almost thirteen years of gentle comfort wanting for nothing, and his kidneys had all but shut down. I put him down the day after the blood work came back. And it’s like an open sore in my heart. I also lost Chianna on a car ride from Florida to MD on my birthday. It’ll be three years this Monday that she had a heart attack.

    Currently, I’ve recently adopted a silly sweet siamese squeaker, and she’ll never be my lost long lamented son Seiko. I love her, but he will always be in my heart.

  25. 2 more points to mention: first, after being with me only a few short weeks, Natalie and I spent the first night without Seiko at mom’s place. She had the run of the whole house. She could’ve beaten up on mom’s furheads or spent the night exploring the basement. She slept with me.

    Second, Fade to Black was just playing.

  27. I am sorry to hear of your cat’s passing, Peter. She sounds like a lovely friend. HUG

  28. I’m very sorry to hear this. My heartfelt sympathies go out to you and your family.
    My 20 year old cat passed away earlier this year, and it truly broke my heart. 6 months later, and I still catch myself looking around the house for her.
    Pets are such a gift and contribute so much to a family.

  30. I am so sorry Peter. I had two cats…Stripe and Patches. Stripe was Diabetic…but still lived till he was 17 yers old…I had him all that time. Patches passed away from old age in my arms about a year ago. These were the real first times that I dealt with death. Patches stayed with me through my cancer treatments and wouldn’t let me four feet away from her the whole time. She took care of me through the chemo. She died only days after my final radiation treatment. They really were my best friends. I now how hard it can be…I’m so sorry. I’m not quite ready for another companion like them…even though I love cats. I do still visit the petco in union sqaure to pet the strays though. I wish you and your family well and feel your pain.

  31. I’m so sorry. If anything happened to my little dude I don’t know what I’d do.

  32. Peter,

    So sorry to hear of your loss.
    About 2 years ago we lost our Buddy to old age. He was with us for 24 years. Not nearly long enough. He was constantly in my lap until he passed. Although since then we have aquired four new feline friends, I still miss him terribly.

  33. Peter, that is just aweful. I know how much I love my kitties. And I remember how hard it was to lose my dogs. My condolences.

  34. My condolences on the loss of your cat, Peter. It was very hard to lose the cats I have had, especially when there’s not anything you can do to help them.

    Lee Whiteside

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