19/03/2023
Today we lost our beloved George “The Cat”
He had developed diabetes recently and even after great efforts with Insulin, special diet, and all the care his extended family and friends in the neighborhood could manage, it took a terrible turn. He stopped eating, drank very little and was losing weight rapidly.
When he became lethargic and disoriented the last few days, we took him to the Vet this morning and we all agreed there wasn’t really anything to do. We’d had to keep him in the house and thus totally destroy his freedom and happiness, which we felt would be very wrong for him.
We had him “put to sleep” as the euphemism goes, and Pat held him wrapped in a blanket as he peacefully passed over the Rainbow Bridge. Dr. Schmidt was a particularly compassionate and sensitive Vet who we had known in years past.
George….
We’re waiting for his urn, to add to our collection of other former pets, but if he were to have a headstone… what should be put on it?
Simple:
“I Did It My Way”
Just like the old Sinatra song. The song would need a revision to the original lyric “Regrets, I’ve had a few…”
I don’t think George ever regretted anything he did.
He lived life on his own terms: where, when and how. He had more freedom of choice than anyone else I’ve ever known. If he didn’t like what we served, one of his other “owners” in the neighborhood probably had something better. Or he’d hunt something down if needed.
Inside, outside completely up to him. He had his own door, but often preferred his staff (us) to let him in or out. We met and became friends with Linda and Lonnie because of him. He had visited them and liked their dogs (mutual we are told) and we went to see who his new friends were.
His grandma Sandy next door took wonderful care of him. He was definitely the Lord of our Cul-De-Sac.
He will be missed by many people, human and otherwise, except for the local chipmunks, mice, birds and other critters he was known to hunt, occasionally bringing them home so that we could appreciate his skills.
I’m sure that he’s at the Pearly Gates now, with St. Peter holding the gate open and asking “So, are you going in or out or you just going to stand there cleaning?”
RIP Sweet George
