"Heavy" Thursday

I'm heavy-hearted today, because of Sparkle's imminent death, whether that be today or not. I don't have (or want) a FaceBook account, but thanks to another blogger, I knew she was quite ill, so "her" post today wasn't a shock. Still difficult and bittersweet to read, though. She's been such an intrinsic part of the cat blogging world for so long, and I've been around the CB for not quite 5 years, I think.

It's so hard to let go, to say goodbye. No number of years is enough with our beloved companions, and in Sparkle's case, her human had given her a voice that has reached so many, done such good work.

I don't feel like posting on the boys' blog about this, not until she's passed, whenever that might be.

My thoughts and "prayers" are with her and with her human right now.

***

In other cat-related matters, Nicki scared the beejeezus out of me this morning, I thought I would lose him.

When I get up in the wee hours I give them their meager serving of kibble first, and while they're scarfing that down I open up the patio door, go out and take the plastic tarp off the outdoor litter box.

This morning there was a rustling sound from the other side of the fence, and I got my spray bottle and squirted water in the direction of the noise, just in case any critters were hanging around.

When Nicki went out a minute or so later, he went to the fence and started meowing like a fool, and since this was 4AM, when neighbours presumably were asleep, I squirted water in his direction too.

Next thing I knew, he seemed to be choking. Not coughing, choking. I was on the step, a million thoughts flashing through my mind--mostly that he was going to die before I could even call a taxi. Then, after what seemed like minutes but probably was less than 30 seconds, certainly less than a minute, the choking turned into his usual bout of coughing. He gave one deep chest cough a short time later, while eating his canned food, and then seemed fine.

But oh, I think that took a few years off my life.

I don't know what it was, what precipitated it. I've sprayed water in his direction many, many times without that kind of reaction. When I got to the office and was recounting this, it occurred to me that a tiny bit of kibble might have been lodged in his throat. I hope that was it, that there's nothing untoward going on, other than his usual health issues. He was fine yesterday and last night and then fine this morning afterward, was still okay when I left to catch the bus at 6:40AM. But I'm sitting here at the office wishing I had a car and could easily zoom home at lunch time to check on him.

They're going to be the death of me, my non-human companions. I truly don't know how so many seem to be so resilient and so willing to adopt again, willing to open themselves up to the inevitable sickness and death. I say every single day, never again, no more pets. But who knows if, when the time comes, I'll still feel that way.

I just hope that time is far down the road yet.

Peace to all.