Oreo is gone.............

[poltr1]

This evening, my beloved black-and-white cat Oreo passed away.



He would have been 18 years old in September. Here he is, on the left, with his buddy Marcus. Click on the image for a larger (300Kb) picture.


He was originally R's cat. She got him in the fall of '86. He was her "barometer" for guys she dated. If Oreo didn't like him, or he didn't like the cat, she ditched the guy. I was the first guy Oreo liked. And so R kept me around. :-)

He absolutely hated the move from Columbus to Dayton. He meowed constantly during the trip, and soiled himself in the cat carrier along the way.

Oreo soon started acting like he was my cat. He was very affectionate. He would give me head-butts ("bumpies") and rubbed his face against me ("snuzzes"). He'd also meow loudly if something wasn't to his satisfaction -- if he was hungry, thursty, or wanted a clean litterbox.

A few years ago, he developed a little bit of heart trouble. The vet prescribed some pills, but he hated taking pills. When I took him again earlier this year, the problem became worse. He'd lost a lot of weight. The heart muscle had enlarged so much that he was laboring to breathe.

Today, he was really panting and laboring to breathe. He didn't move from the downstairs bathroom. I brought his food and water to him. This evening, while R was tending to M, and I was out shopping, he crossed the Rainbow Bridge.

Tomorrow I will have him cremated; his ashes will be placed next to those of Bubastis and Lady.

I'm gonna miss him.

Some more pictures/icons of him:

Comments

[redaxe.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry for your loss. He looks like he was both beautiful and snuggly. I know he'll be missed.

[sdavido.livejournal.com]

My deepest condolences.

[mladysnape.livejournal.com]

I am most sorry to hear about Oreo...
*hugs*

[joecoustic.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss.

[filkergem.livejournal.com]

You and R have my sympathy - kyttn and I know how it is to lose a beloved cat.

[filkerdave.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry to hear about your loss. *hugs*

[rms-butterfly.livejournal.com]

So sorry to hear about your loss. It's so hard to lose a beloved pet. *hugs* to all of you.

[jhayman.livejournal.com]

Oh, Jim. No matter how old and how ill, their passing is painful. Like the others (and my Ashley) he's found his door into everlasting summer, where there are always birds and squirrels and butterlasting to watch, and always a warm spot for snoozing. You and R must have cared for him very much that he lived to such an age.
Have a hug.

[wolfspirit29.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry. *hugs* Our furry friends really are a part of the family.