Sunday, August 21, 2022

Age No Longer Matters

Minuet died yesterday at 4.15 p.m.

I wrote Saturday’s blog-entry in the morning, and, despite my hopes then, Min’s condition deteriorated. By the afternoon, she was visibly in distress, breathing rapidly and unable to find a comfortable position in which to lie. She tried to hide, burrowing into a corner and, even when I brought her out, crawling under Tucker’s Tuffet. As I wrote to a friend, Minuet may have improved if I had been able to keep her alive, but it would have been some time before any improvement could have been seen, with, in the meanwhile, a nineteen year old cat in pain, being injected and force-fed continually, given pain-killers to dull her discomfort. It may have been weeks of misery for Min, and to what purpose? I would have given an ancient cat a few more months. By then, she would likely have been happy to leave her life. Her sudden weight loss suggested something I couldn’t repair anyway, and it may have been pancreatic cancer. Yesterday, I wrote that things depended on Madame giving me more time. Of course, time isn’t always ours to give, and Minuet did not have it.

I called Min my very-oldster; she died with the dignity befitting her years, and now is where age no longer matters.

45 comments:

  1. So hard! Blessings and prayers for you!

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  2. Oh man, I sure wasn't expecting to see this today, we're all heartbroken as we've come to love that dear Lady. Thank you for giving her the love she was seeking.

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  3. Minuet found the best possible retirement home for her last months on this earth. She will be missed as much as any other of your much loved residents. I am so sorry she did not have the time or energy to recover for you now.

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  4. Oh John, I'm heartbroken. You took such good care of Min, and you showed her love and kindness when many people would have given up on her long ago. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you and Min.

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    1. Thank you. It's hard to give up on these troubled ones, as you undoubtedly know, when the trouble isn't there fault - and it's hard to give up on them when it is! I hope Min knew how I felt about her.

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    2. I know she knew you loved her, John.

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  5. I was so afraid when I checked for an update early yesterday that things took a bad turn for Madame. I am so sorry for I know how it makes the heart ache, yet I am so glad that Minuet had you for this period in her life. She may well have felt understood for the first time in a long time. Not that her former person was a bad owner but, they gave up on Minuet, you didn't and she had so many days of living her life in comfort of a true home. Surrounded by love and peace. I will surely miss hearing about her, yes indeed she will be missed.

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  6. Yez, as Brian said, thank you for giving her your love. She needed that so badly and without you, her life would have been dismal. She was taken in, warmed in her little gown and encouraged to rule her new and loving household. And as Gidget said, rest in peace, sweet baby. I loved you too.

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  7. I am so sorry to read this. You gave her a loving home which was what she needed for the last months of her life. Yesterday you gave her what she needed most, help to pass from this world with dignity. Rest in peace dear Minuet. You crept into everyone's heart and will be greatly missed. My thoughts are with you, John.

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  8. Farewell, Angel Minuet.
    You made an impression upon all of use, and John's Cozy Apartment was the best place for you to finish your turn on Earth.
    Hugs and purrs; this is not surprising, yet heartbreaking nonetheless.

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  9. I feel so sad about this. Her weight loss and change in blood sugar was so sudden and dramatic, I feared that something very serious was going on with her. At least, her suffering was short-lived. I feel the same way as I did when Raleigh passed on--sorrow that the time in a good, happy home was so short, but also gratitude that they both ended their days knowing they were safe and loved. She was one of those cats who had oddly human eyes. Minuet was a special girl, and I won't forget her.

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  10. Minuet, even though we didn't get a chance to really know each other, we will always consider you a friend.

    You ruled the cosy apartment with grace, dignity and on your terms. and you are and always will be... FABulous ♥♥♥ We know, and you know, dad did his best.

    We hope dad knows that St Francis saw you safely to the heavens

    You were and are a beautiful gal, we are truly sorry and send hugs and loves to you .... and dad too

    ♥♥♥♥♥♥

    dai$y, mackerull, dude, boomer, sauce and tuna ~~~~~

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  11. Dear Minuet's family,
    I am so sorry to read about Minuet's passing. What a beautiful name. When I read her name I saw graceful ladies happily dancing.
    Toward the end of Angel Madi's life she was being poked, medicated orally and we were having to strongly encourage her to eat. I know exactly what you meant about Minuet, she just got worn out with it all.
    Hugs Cecilia

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  12. I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of Minuet. Sending hopes and purrs for comfort and peace.

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    1. Thank you for visiting to say good-bye to Minuet. All her internet friends bring comfort to those who remain.

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  13. You did right by her in every way, John. I'm so sorry she didn't have more time, but I'm thankful you did not put her through pointless suffering. My thoughts and prayers to you. ❤️ 🙏

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  14. So sorry to read this, but she certainly had love right up to the end. Blacky wandered up two and a half years ago, battered and infected with FIV and FeLeuk but he was able to enjoy love and warmth and food until he too was just ready to go on.

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  15. I respect your wish for Minuet not to suffer for a vague possible hope. As you say your lady died with dignity and this matter such a lot.

    I am sorry, she looks an absolute beauty and her loss must be a hard one to bear.

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    1. She was a beauty. Sometimes rather scowly, but I could watch that scowl all day. My Lady Sunflower. Thank you for visiting at this time.

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  16. I am so sorry you had to say goodbye to your beautiful girl. XO

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  17. So sorry to hear about Min, but so happy you gave her such a good life. You looked after her and cared until the end. Thank you and hugs and purrs for your loving and care. I am sure you miss her.
    Nancy and purrs from Julie

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  18. You are now undertaking the long journey through grief. While others may share that grief we all walk it alone. There are no right or wrong paths, no proper way to carry oneself, no set amount of time to complete it. Some steps will come easier than others. There will be rogue waves of grief that you won’t see coming, and knock you back days. But you will come through it. If you get lost let us know. We have been through it before and we might be able to help you find the way out.

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  19. We are so very sorry for your loss of Minuet. ~Ernie and the mom

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  20. If your love could keep them, they'd stay forever. No more hurts for little miss Min. Thank you for giving her such a loving home.

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  21. Oh, John. We are heartbroken to read this. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for loving her so much and so well. She experienced a lifetime of love while she was there in the Cosy Cottage. Gentle purrs and all good thoughts to you.

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  22. You gave sweet Minuet all she wanted/needed, and the one thing most needed was dignity, in life and in death. She was loved and cared for so well. To me its amazing she did so well at your Cozy Apartment; and thank you for taking her in when she needed it most.

    Rest well for a time, Angel Minuet, soon you will be flying in all the catnip meadows and ruling over all your 'underlings'.

    ((((( ♥ )))))

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  23. Sending love and purrs to you. Minuet will be very missed.

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  24. So sorry John...Bless the little lady..!xxx

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    1. Thank you, Willie. She'll be a tough one to get over - as if any isn't...

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  25. I am so sorry for your loss. Hugs♥

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  26. I'm so sorry of the loss of your sweet girl, Minuet. I think that were her signs to let go and you listened💗Fly free beautiful Soul✨
    Soft Pawkisses from Heaven to comfort you🐾😽✨

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  27. We are so very sorry for your loss. Purrs of comfort and paws of sympathy from all of us at ATCAD

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    1. It is never easy to let go, but such thoughts as yours help. Thank you.

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  28. I was so sorry to read this. You gave this girl a very great life while living with you. Sending you heading thoughts.

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    1. Thank you, Patty. I know you follow the blog when you can, and I am grateful for your thoughts and concerns.

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    2. I am home this week catching up on my blog reading. I was truly saddened by Minuet's passing.

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  29. We're so sorry for your loss. Sending tender thoughts of comfort your way.

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  30. Oh John, I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope you find some comfort in knowing you gave Minuet some precious time in the Cozy apartment, and allowed her to depart with dignity.

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    1. Thank you. Such gentle thoughts are like cushions when one is falling.

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  32. I saw Minuet's photo on Eastside Cats. I know what it is to grieve, and I'm very sorry that you're having to go through this. I'm also sorry that your lovely little kitty no longer graces our world except in the memories of her loved ones.

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    1. Thank you. Though Minuet is gone she does indeed live on in my memory, and in the memories of those who knew her on the internet. For that, I am thankful.

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  33. We're so sorry Minuet has gone OTB. We know how difficult it is.

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