Zil

[woolymonkey]

Zil was put to sleep early this morning. I think she spent a fairly comfortable last night on the spare bed (snuggled against me in in the spare bed). I kept her company, brought her water and took her to the litter tray as needed.

Then around 7 she took a turn for the worse, just like she was suddenly really really tired. So I took her to the emergency vet. In the car, she was still able to move around enough to get comfy in the carrier and keep an eye of what I was doing, but the stress of the examinng table, barking dogs and stuff was the last straw and she started having trouble breathing. The vet said it was her heart and there really wasn't anyting to be done except give her oxygen to ease her breathing. She was on that oxygen mask like a catnip bag! I think she passed out soon after that. By the time the vet gave her the injection she was so far gone there was no noticecable change in her, but the vet told me when her heart stopped beating.

It wasn't a treatable condition, so I'm glad I kept her at home for that last night. I think taking her to the vet would have finished her whenever I did it, but she wasn't going to make it past lunchtime today, whatever I did. This way, we had a bit more time and the boys had a chance to say goodbye to her this morning, but she was in the right place to get oxygen and the injection when she really needed them. I'm especially glad the boys got to say goodbye as they'd gone to bed before we realised there was anything wrong with her. It's been so quick. Sure, she's been taking things slower over the years, but yesterday at 6 she was still able to get up and down stairs and seemed her usual self as I hoovered around her. (Yes, this really was normal for Zil, the bombproof cat.) It was only when she didn't want to get off the bed or eat her dinner at bedtime that we realised something was wrong.  She was 15 and a half, so it's not a total surprise, but I somehow thought there'd be more warning.  I feel bad that I've been concentrating my cat attention of Fruitcake recently and not letting Zil eat much of the nice treat food Fruitie was getting to fatten her up.

We've buried her out the front where she liked to sit in the sun and smell the catnip. We are now a very sad monkey family. With the possible exception of Fruitcake who is--quite properly--shunning me.

ETA musique_monkey has always made it clear that he doen't care about either of the cats. So he went to bed upstairs as normal last night. Then spent the whole night filing 4 years worth of accumulated paperwork because he couldn't sleep. This was, you understand, entirely coincidental and unconnected with what was going on downstairs. But it was very nice to find him around and stressing whenever I was up and needing monkey company.

Comments

[bugshaw.livejournal.com]

Oh, poor Zil :-( *hugs monkeys*

[woolymonkey.livejournal.com]

thanks

[smtfhw.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry she didn't make it... Hugs to all of you.

[woolymonkey.livejournal.com]

thankyou

[http://users.livejournal.com/la_marquise_de_/]

I am so sorry.

[woolymonkey.livejournal.com]

thanks--I know you know how it feels

[pennski.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

[woolymonkey.livejournal.com]

Thank you

[amenirdis.livejournal.com]

I'm so very sorry. *hugs all the monkeys*

I know it's so very hard.

[woolymonkey.livejournal.com]

thank you
hugs help

[penknife.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry.

[woolymonkey.livejournal.com]

thank you

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry you lost one of your smallest monkeys. There's nothing I can say to make you feel better. But it sounds like she had a great life and a loving family. (That's all any cat wants, is attentive staff. :-) )

[woolymonkey.livejournal.com]

I'm sure Zil thought she was a monkey. She used her paws for everything. Thanks for commenting.

[lj_stowaway]

I am so very sorry. {{{hugs}}}

It's good that you had that last night with her, and that everyone got to say goodbye. It sounds like she went as easily as possible; that must be some tiny comfort.

[woolymonkey.livejournal.com]

thanks
it does help to have had that last night

[woolymonkey.livejournal.com]

virtual hugs are good
thank you

[teenybuffalo.livejournal.com]

That's hard on you all. I'm sorry she's gone.

[woolymonkey.livejournal.com]

thanks

[ladymoonray.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry, hon. She was a lovely cat, and you gave a her a lovely life.

[woolymonkey.livejournal.com]

thank you
bet you still have souvenirs on that black skirt

[hippediva.livejournal.com]

Oh I'm so sorry! *hugs* It does sound very much like what happened to Ronnie Sweetheart here last year and at least she was comfortable. All our thoughts for you all and Zil!

[woolymonkey.livejournal.com]

thank you

[porridgebird.livejournal.com]

I am so very sorry :(

*hugs to all of you*

[woolymonkey.livejournal.com]

thank you
hugs are good

[djarum99.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry.

*hugs for you and yours*

[woolymonkey.livejournal.com]

thanks for the sympathy--it helps

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

You took such good care of her, right up to the end. What more can anyone ask? I'm so sorry for your loss. It's very hard to lose them, they are such a blessing.

[woolymonkey.livejournal.com]

Thank you. Zil had to take third place after baby monkeys for many years, but she didn't seem to mind too much. She got my lap back as soon as it was vacant. Squirrelmonkey said she was like a baby sister.

[justawench.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry my comment is so long after the fact, but my sympathies to you all. This is the worst part of pet ownership.

*Hugs*

[woolymonkey.livejournal.com]

Hey, thanks for commenting at all!

We miss Zil a lot, but it's getting to the point where I can think about her happily instead of always bursting into tears *sniff*. Will post a proper Zil memorial post with pics and vids when I feel OK about doing it.