Dammit! Just when I was starting to like the guy.
First, I misspoke about Mikey's size. Checked a book. He wasn't as big as a linx. Bigger than a bobcat though.
Deb, I don't think that what you said is dumb at all. It's a point of view, and a reasonable one. But I don't think I could live with it. What's been eating me alive the past few days was the thought that Mikey might need surgery and that I wouldn't be able to afford it. He would die because I was broke. That idea was anathema to me. Don't think I could ever accept it.
I'm glad that you're comfortable with it, Deb. Truth is, I wish I could feel the way you do. And I agree that giving an animal a loving home for even a short time is better than what they might otherwise have. But I couldn't do it.
When I was a kid, I had boids. When they got sick, I took them to the vet. Spent far more than the replacement value of the boids in helping to get them cured. People thought I was nuts. But I could not have done it any other way. Used up my allowance and babysitting money to do it.
Roger, Sorry you didn't get to know him better. He was a big goofy guy. Made me laugh at least once a day for 13 years. You can't beat that.
((((((((((((((Roberta))))))))))) what awful news - I know how bereft and lost you feel and the horrible pain of the loss.
Mikey was so real and so vivid to us all from your wonderful stories - you have a real gift with words and a great sense of humour. He was a real character and you gave him a great life and all the love and care he needed
Please rethink your decision not to have another - there are adult cats in rescue centres desperate for a home and so many people just want a kitten. They need the love and care you give and I second dlowan's comments. You would give them a good life where they may have none.
Oh no! I meander in here now and then even though I'm tragically catless to see what everyone's up to. Mikey is a longstanding highlight. Dead, so suddenly?!
I'm so sorry.
I hesitate to join the chorus because if it were me it would just steel my resolve (I can be rather contrarian, ahem), but I do think Vivien makes an excellent point about adoption. If you're adopting a cat who would be euthanized the next day because nobody else will adopt him or her, surely anything after that is a gift?
It is upsetting and bewildering to me to come here and find myself being pressured one day after Mikey died.
I had decided that Mikey would be my last cat last year when he had surgery for which I had to borrow money. I still owe my friend for that surgery.
I strongly believe that it would be irresponsible of me to take on the responsibility of another life without being able to pay for all its needs.
Please don't put the life of another cat on me. I feel bad enough already.
Roberta, I'm very sorry to read about Mikey.
You loved that darn cat, and I learned to appreciate him through your words.
Couldn't have handled him myself, but I could definitely appreciate him.
(((( Roberta ))))
Thanks, ehBeth. Several people told me that they didn't think anyone else would have tolerated Mikey. This may be true. He was a handful. But it occurs to me that I probably spent more time complaining about him and his naughtiness than telling about how loving and funny he was. The bad stuff tends to get magnified, but there was a lot more of the good.
Oh, I am so sorry Roberta.
Haven't got the words in a situation like this. However, my girls will be receiving extra morsels tonight in honour of Mikey. A sort of kitty toast to a beloved little, er, not so little, dude.
I can understand your position, as money has long been tight for me. Expensive medication has not been an option, vet bills an extravagence I have had to sacrifice to pay.
Sending love your way.
Thanks, flushd, for you kind words. It does my heart good to know that you'll give your cats a little extra food in honor of Mikey. He was an eater!
And thanks for understanding.
Roberta wrote:... Several people told me that they didn't think anyone else would have tolerated Mikey. This may be true. He was a handful. But it occurs to me that I probably spent more time complaining about him and his naughtiness than telling about how loving and funny he was. The bad stuff tends to get magnified, but there was a lot more of the good.
Complaining? I didn't see it that way at all, Roberta! There were so many funny, endearing & entertaining Mikey stories over the years, which we all thoroughly enjoyed. A battle of wits between two equally determined parties! :wink:
We'll sorely miss future instalments.
msolga, I did more than my fair share of complaining. But thanks for viewing my kvetching as story telling.
The discussion here reminded me of something I hadn't thought about for years. I had three goldfish. One of them was starting to fade--starting to tip over sideways, which was a precursor to the fish going belly-up. My father and I separated that fish from the others and then spent hours keeping it upright--with our fingers or a pencil. My mother called from the kitchen that supper was ready. We stayed with the fish. The two of us were focused and determined to do whatever we could to save that fish. It eventually began swimming normally without our help. It lived quite a while after that.
I would never and could never take in an animal that I was not prepared to do everything to keep it alive and healthy. I will not do it.
Roberta, it's been the wonderful way you presented both (all?) sides of Mikey that made me appreciate him over the years.
I feel like I've known him for just about forever.
Setanta and I are regular catroom readers - partly to catch up with the adventures of Mikey.
ehBeth, I'm glad that the adventures of Mikey the Monster Cat brought you and Set pleasure over the years. He was a gigantic, fuzzy presence. I'll always miss him. It was hard to watch tv last night without him putting his paw in my hand or his head on my knee. Hard to do lots of things without him around.
This will get easier, I know.
Hi, Roberta. I loved Mikey from afar. He was so THERE.
Mourning with you in my heart.
Thanks, osso, querida. Yes, he was definitely THERE. Very much a presence. It makes me feel good to know you loved him from afar.
Querida back at you...
You might skip this for this week or so; posting just to get my thoughts out -
I understand the pros and cons re animals. Pacco is over life-span age and I also can't afford hardly any care at this point. I too don't want to have to let him go early, though I agree with dlowan on extraordinary measures not being part of my consideration. I don't want to make the decision, before he really needs relief, because of my money thing.
Before I lucked into the Pacc, who was picked up wandering Highway 101 and kept for a month with no expressed interest, despite fetching ads, before my call, at the local humane society, I lived vicariously on other people's pets. To some extent I do that now, oh, say, with the horses at the Spanish Riding School, and the grassfed cattle up in my old northern California, and the penguins of the world.
Still, the cat in the room, oy.
Osso, I'm not talking about extraordinary measures. Not sure I would want them even if I could afford them. I'm talking about basic health care and being able to pay for checkups and shots and treatment for something not extreme. I can't do any of that. In fact, I'm going to struggle to pay for the euthanasia and the cremation.
Deb querida. Not so good. This is gonna take a while. So many seconds of my day were filled with Mikey in large and small ways. I didn't even realize they existed until something happens, and he's not here. There's something missing. For example, after I've been at the computer for a while and I'm ready to quit, I snap open my eyeglass case. That sound would trigger Mikey to respond. Today I snapped open the case and found myself looking to the right where Mikey would often be. Not there.
The only thing that's gonna help is time.
((((((((((((((((((((((Boida)))))))))))))))))))))))))
I know.
I still miss Oscar's little presence.
Did the vet cost a lot?
I only got Oscar's last bill a couple of weeks ago, and I was pleasantly surprised...the euthanasia and dealing with his little body was only $65.
Phew.
I was expecting double that.
yes, it's the unexpected small things that make it hit you fresh and raw all over again.
Sorry if it seemed I was pressuring you.
Thinking of you, and it was lovely to hear of the small loving actions - the paw in the hand is an absolute heart melter.
