RIP Yuki

In the spring of 2009, Lisa brought home a white long haired cat.  Someone was going to get rid of it - one way or another.  She called her Sweetie Pie.  Unbeknownst to Lisa, the kitty was pregnant.  She had four kittens, 3 white ones and a black one.  After Lisa died, Joe asked me if I wanted to take one of the cats home.  They were mostly outdoor cats and didn't much like being indoors.  When they came in, all but Yuki wanted to go back outside.  Yuki jumped up of the sofa and went to sleep.  I knew that was my cat.  She flew back to Calgary with us.

Yuki was a bit of a princess.  She knew the routine and made sure that she got brushed every morning.  She refused to eat wet cat food.  Even when she had a tooth pulled!  She would sit on the rug by her dishes when she wanted a treat.  She had me wrapped around her little toe as every time I went to the kitchen, she was there for her treats. We live in a condo.  She liked to go out in the hall and would go down the corridors.  Either Joe or I would go out with her - we didn't want her riding the elevator alone!  She got annoyed with me if I decided to go back in before she was ready.  She would hiss and growl unti she was back in.  She had a unique personality!

When we went away for a day or 2, the neighbours would come in and look after her.  My friend Leslie loves cats and was happy to visit.  Unfortunately, Yuki disliked her.  She would hiss and growl at her.  It never deterred Leslie.  On the other hand, the neighbour who has asthma and is allergic was her favourite!  Go figure.  When we went away for longer times, we always had someone to stay with her.  Until last November when we took her to "The Cat's Meow", the kitty hotel.  She was a hit with the staff.  The owner posted photos of the residents on FB.  One was Yuki sitting on her desk.   

About a month ago, she she started eating less food.  I just figured that she was getting old and lazy.  When she refused to eat anything except treats, I knew she wasn't well.  She also slept a lot more.  We took her to the vet - the blood work showed she had a urinary tract infection and a heart murmur.  The vet said that he felt she had other issues and could do more tests.  He sounded quite iffy.  He gave her an antibiotic injection and sent us home with pills.  She hated the pill.  After the 3rd day, she threw it up.  I knew she was really sick.  By this time she would not eat at all.  Not even treats.  After a week I knew it was time to go back to the vet.  He examined her and said that he was quite sure she had kidney issues and was in pain.  We discussed it and decided that she should not suffer any more.  I couldn't stand the thought of her withering away.  Despite her weakness, she still would keep her routine.  Get brushed in the morning;  do the rounds of the house, go out on the balcony in the evening etc. It was devastating watching her  Mostly she slept.  So yesterday morning, I held her head as the vet very gently, put her to sleep.

I am so sad.  I had that furry little nuisance for 11 and a half years. I loved her, even when she bit me when she was done being petted.   She was my solace.  I could cuddle her and cry and not feel like I was upsetting anybody.  She gave me a reason to get up in the morningl I miss her already.