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
• 
You and your family have sympathy from mine and me. We’re all sorry for your loss.
My younger boy, Ryan, plans on becoming a veterinarian. He wants to save as many animals as possible.
My sympathies, PAD. I know how much joy my various cats have given me throughout the years…we’re on out third-fifth at the moment. Seeing them pass is never easy, but the memories and laughter they bring are always worth it.
i am truly sorry PAD
i lost my cat when he was mortally wounded by a dog
i had to put him to sleep
so believe me when i say i wish i could
give you your friend back
my condolonces
I’m sorry about your cat. I don’t know what I’d do if my died
Rest In peace, Pandora,
Your human family loved you and miss you…
To the David family:
It’s okay to cry a little now.
You’ve lost a loved one.
Your lap never felt so empty.
After a time, you should visit an amimal shelter
and look around. Some little furry face with bright eyes will say hello and come home with you. The new feline friend will never, ever take Pandora’s place in your hearts, but your hearts
have plenty of room. One quiet night, your new little friend crawl up in your lap and listen all-to-intently while you tell her all about Pandora.
Deepest Sympathy
Not that it makes a lot of difference right now, but I hope you had her as a friend for many years.
My family and I have been lucky that way. All of our cats have lived to fairly ripe old ages. The three we have right now have been with us 12 – 13 years. The one I had before them (who I still miss terribly) was 17 and a half when she died. The average age for our cats to live to seems to be 16. And the one I remember most from my childhood lived to actually be 20 years old! (He was THE tomcat of the neighborhood as long as he lived.)
It will be hard to do right now, I know, but, eventually, you’ll be able to think of the joy she brought to your life. And you’ll treasure the times she visits you in dreams.
Toledo, Lunar and I express our very sincere condolences.
My condolences, Peter. The same thing happened to our cat a little over a year ago. He had been a stray in our old apartment complex who totally hustled us into loving him. When we bought our house, he came with us. He was probably between 6 and 8 years old when we met him, and he was with us for 6 years. But one morning we woke up to him under a table in the living room, howling and unable to move his hindquarters. I rushed him around the corner to the vet and she tried oxygen, but said there wasn’t anything she could do.
We euthanized him, and spent the day sobbing a lot. I made it through 6 hours at work the next day before I had to leave. It got a little easier over the next few days. I still miss him a lot; he truly was a good friend.
I know it doesn’t feel like it now, but you will be able to think of her and genuinely feel happy with the memories. And sooner than you would think possible.
PAD,
My condolences. My dog, Corky, died in 1991 of cancer. She’d been with us for 14 years. I used to take her for long walks, or curl up on the couch with her when reading. And when I’d lay out the sunday comics pages on the family room floor, that’s the one spot in the house she’d decide she needed to be. I still miss her.
Rick
I hope this doesn’t sound trite and that you won’t feel I’m just sending you cliches but Peter I believe our loved ones never can leave us because they are all around us. Literally a thought a way. Whether they be two-legged or four or eight. Whether they have skin or are featered of finned. They never leave us.
Our loved ones are the sum total of their loved ones as we are of them. The joy Pandora brought you and yours is now a part of your family and you need only look around you to see her.
My greatest good thoughts to you and your family in your grief.
Michael J Norton
Hi Peter:
I just got back from a brisk walk with Prince, my Pembroke Welsh Corgi. Prince will turn 12 this June, and I can’t imagine how things might be without him, since we got him as a wee pup only 2 months old. I know that the years will eventually catch up with him.
It’s very difficult for someone who is not a pet owner to identify with the bond between human and animal. Even for those of us who have pets, each relationship is an intensely personal one, sometimes on a level that transcends personal relationships. I hope that you and your family will find some comfort from all the comments on this thread at this difficult time.
Peter…
I know, from personal experience, that losing a family member — and yes, I do count pets as family members — is always a deep loss. You and your family have my deepest condolences.
I had my own pet scare today… I came home for lunch, and my white boxer puppy, Krypto, had a lump on his shoulder. My girlfriend and I immediately rushed him to the veterinarian (thank goodness for Banfield’s pet wellness program, a sort of health insurance for pets!), and after doing a few tests, discovered the lump wasn’t a tumor, as I feared, but an infection likely caused from a thorn or insect or spider bite. He’s now on a regimen of two different antibiotics and twice-daily warm compress therapy. I’m hoping that this will do the trick, and that it was caught soon enough… because I would really hate to think what I’d do if I lost him.
Jon
I am so sorry. I still miss my cat Vampi and I couldn’t tell you for sure how long that’s been. My mom and her husband’s cat passed away last year and the whole place still seems empty without him sitting out on the deck or following us around the yard when we’re out.
Chris
My sympathies.
Terrible news. I’m sorry for your loss. Having several cats of my own, who all picked ME, I both know what it’s like to lose one, and the fear OF losing one. Cats truely are little members of the family.
Wil Wheaton recently lost his two cats, as well.
My sympathies on the loss, sir. They do become part of the family, even if slightly easier to trip over.
Adding to the list of stories and condolences . . .
When I left home, three years ago, I had five cats. When I returned, a couple of months ago, only three were left. And before them, I lost a few more, some to sickness, some got lost, one was poisoned by a neighbor (yes, in this day and age) . . .
So, yeah, I feel for you, Peter. I miss my cats too, the ones alive and the ones that passed away.
Ovnio
(and while we’re on it, I miss my dog too, but that’s another thread . . .)
The loss of a beloved pet is never easy to overcome. My friends suggested that I replace Jasmine right away, but I felt a mourning period was required for my constant companion in my songwriting marathon sessions. You are not alone in your pain,but it will become more bearable in time. (P.S., your Kermit the Frog impression is pretty good)
Im sorry to hear about your Cat, sounds like you really loved the little critter. I send my condolences to you and your family.
I’m sorry for your loss.
I have 6 cats. and last year I lost a ferret to cancer. you have my deepest sympathies.
Jeff Coney
My condolences to you and your family. May the memories of the joy and comfort that Pandora and you gave each other help you through this difficult time.
Truly sorry for your loss. Losing a cherished pet is like losing a family member.
After losing my cat Pandora (coincidence?) and my dog Kaori last week, I feel your pain. My sincere condolences.
Sorry to hear about Pandora. Pets leave a big empty place when they pass away.
Linda
It breaks my heart to hear something like this. So sorry for your family’s loss.
Please pass all our condolences on to your entire family.
AWWW….No. Mr. David, I am really sorry to hear that. As a life-long cat-lover, my world was shattered for a time when my cat of 10 years (and numerous girlfriends, 3 cars and 2 kids) ran away from home after pushing her way through a screen window. Luckily she showed back up out of the blue a week later, no worse for the wear, but I can certainly sympathize with you.
Sorry for your loss Peter.
My deepest sympathies Peter. My wife and I were with our first dog, Brandy, when she was put down 7+ years ago. She had ruptured a disc in her spine which is common with Mini Dachshunds. I have a picture of her sitting on my lap that I keep at my desk. I still miss my little girl.
As an animal lover I understand your grief. Animals are a gift and losing a pet is just as much of a tragedy as losing a family member.
My condolences Peter.
My condolences, Peter. My thoughts go out to you and your family.
Sorry, Peter. There is nothing like losing a pet; my dog has cancer so that day isn’t long in coming for us, either. Condolences to you and your family.
I’m so very sorry for your loss, Peter. I’ve been through the loss of a pet a few times, most recently a couple of years back when my beloved tabby, Lottie, had to be put to sleep because she had an inoperable tumor in her abdomen. Even if you know it’s coming, you’re not ready for it when it gets there. My best to you and your family.
I’m truly sorry, Peter.
My sympathies on your loss, Peter.
Peter – After all the joy that your writing brings to me and others, I wish your life could only know happiness. Unfortunately, when you open your heart to love a pet deeply, you also open it to feel that searing loss when they pass away.
Six years ago, I lost two cats (Malibu and Dulcie) within months of each other. As a writer, I’m sure you’ll appreciate that one small comfort for me was writing down everything I could remember about them, most of the time through my tears but sometimes with laughter. Over the years, you don’t realize how many of the little details you’ll forget, or how much comfort these little memories can bring.
Now I have Coco and Tavi to keep me company, and we all send you and your family our sincere condolences.
Jessica
PAD,
My sincere sypathy. I understand your loss. It’s hard to lose a loyal friend.
Joe
The Democrat from Texas
My condolences Peter,
Pets truly are a part of the family and their loss is incredibly difficult. Take solace in the fact that while you enjoyed her company, you gave her a great life with good food, warmth, shelter and love.
My deepest condolences for the loss of your friend, family member, and beloved lap warmer.
It’s been a bad month for pets in general, it seems. We had to have our dog Zack put down when after learning he had developed a severe case of lung cancer. This weekend, my cat Pita injured his leg somehow while we were away from the house for a couple hours. He was limping, hiding in dark and secluded parts of the house, and not eating and drinking with his usual gusto. When we finally got him to the vet yesterday, we found out it was an abscess (and that he was running a 103-degree fever) and he was promptly given rabies and antibiotic shots and, despite not being in top form, was utterly charming for the nurse (the cat’s a bigger flirt than I am). While with care and proper treatment on our part, he should be fine, I was seriously worried about losing him (especially after losing Zack so recently) even though he’s the only cat I know that hog a whole queen-size mattress by his lonesome.
My sympathies to everyone who’s lost a friend of the four-legged persuasion recently
I’m so sorry for your loss, Peter.
I’m so very sorry to hear about your loss. We lost a cat we had for nearly 16 years when he suffered a stroke that paralyzed half of his body. I found him lying on his side on the basement floor, pushing himself in circles, covered in his own waste. He could no longer walk and was obviously terrified — uncharacteristically crying except when he was being held, to which he was still able to purr. One of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do was take him to the vet to be euthanized. He was fully grown when we originally got him, and according to the vet we took him to for his first round of shots, he was already about five years old at the time. He was a big, beautiful all-black cat who was very imposing, weighing in at 19 pounds in his prime, and friendlier than almost any other house cat I’ve seen over the years. It was tough to lose him.
PAD, I’m really terribly sorry. It’s been a dreadful few months for cat-loving Bloggers: Wil Wheaton lost two over the course of the last couple of months, too.
I’ve got cats as well, and love them dearly, and have lost two over the last few years, to old age. (The two who remain are both 14 years old, and one is clearly in something of a decline. So I have more heartbreak to look forward to.)
You have my deepest sympathies.
I’m sorry about Pandora, Peter. May she enjoy her time in heaven with my family’s first cat Lucky aka “Bob.”
My wife and I cried our eyes out last September when our cat, Zach, got killed by a car (his brother still misses him) so I share your grief.
Keep your chin up.
…Simon.
I’m so sorry to hear about your cat. I have two cats now, and I can’t imagine my and my husband’s lives without them. They’re our practice chilren until we’re ready. My husband is on a business trip right now and they’ve been hanging out with me a lot more, so-to-speak. They’re so smart and very loving creatures.
My first cat wandered off from my mother’s house to die while I was away at college–we never found her, but she was pretty sick, so we have to assume. It was devastating to not be able to say goodbye, but I was also spared that incredible shock of here one moment and gone the next. I had to watch my first dog be put to sleep (because she was dying and in a lot of pain) in September. It was one of the most awful things I experienced. Anyway, I guess all I’m saying is that I truly empathize with you. And I know there’s nothing to say that makes it better.
Sorry to hear about Pandora’s passing.
Last November, after celebrating her 14th birthday, I had to put my Rotty down. Phoenix woke up with the exact same problem as Pandora. After rushing her to the vet and doing x-rays, it was discovered that both of her back hip sockets had been eaten away by arthritis. She never let on that she was in any pain. As a matter of fact, she acted very normal for her age. After signing the papers, and going through a box and a half of tissue paper, I gave her one last scratch behing the ears, a kiss on the forhead, and said goodbye. I left, not wanting to see them put her down.
I miss her, but she is still hanging around, triping me in the middle of the night when I go for a glass of water.
Coming from someone who was NEVER a cat person until I dated & then married a woman with a cat, I offer you my deepest sympathies & best wishes. I’d be a bloody train wreck if anything were to happen to the demonic feline that finally managed to work her way into my heart. I truly feel for you.
Peter, my deepest sympathies are with you. I know that feeling too well. Before we moved here we had two cats, Mr. Smokey and Whitecat. Smokey would ride around on my shoulder and when I was writing or editing or whatever, he’d jump up on my desk and stare at either me or the monitor, whichever one looked more interesting. It was hard to work for a while after he was gone.
Rat
A Bridge Called Love
It takes us back to brighter years,
to happier sunlit days
and to precious moments
that will be with us always.
And these fond recollections
are treasured in the heart
to bring us always close to those
from whom we had to part.
There is a bridge of memories
from earth to Heaven above…
It keeps our dear ones near us
It’s the bridge that we call love.
Author Unknown
Peter, I am looking forward to reading about Pandora in one of your books.