3 weeks ago I posted about my dear P*ssycat being put to sleep - http://lightning-strike.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=6444.
On Friday 23rd December I had to make the decision to also put to sleep the stray cat which attacked her, who I have named Desi.
I never blamed Desi for the attack even though sometimes I felt angry thinking about what she did.
She had been hanging around on and off for about 2 months, mostly sleeping far down the backyard in the mornings and evenings under any soft spot or bush she could find. I had fed her occassionaly as she was so skinny and I felt sorry for her. After P*ssycat was put to sleep I stilled checked on Desi to see if she was around but it took a few days before I put some food out for her again.
Since last Saturday 17th December I had started feeding her regularly, straight away she started sleeping on the patio in various places, including on the barbecue.
I didn't feel like I could look after her so soon without feeling like I was betraying P*ssycat, so I started to look around if there was a place she could be adopted.
I didn't realise that I had already started a new routine with her and enjoyed having a presence around the house again even though I kept my distance from her still. I would sit outside during the evening while she ate dry food and enjoy hearing the sound of the dry food being crunched again.
I had thought she was a young tom cat because of the attack, plus if she had been eating properly she would have been a big cat and she couldn't meow more than a whisper.
Eventually I decided to check with the vet if they knew anyone that could take her, but they said bring her in for a check up anyway. Turns out she was a female aged about 8-9years old. Desi loved being touched at the vets, something she hadn't felt for so long. She would lie on her back and let the vet play with her tummy. Unfortunately she had cat flu, which explained her sneezing, dry meow and odd looking eyes. But the bigger problem was one of her kidneys was small, odd shaped and lumpy. The vet said she probably only had 6 months to live.
With these facts, especially that she had cat flu and was a carrier it was clear that it would difficult for her to be kept anywhere around other cats so staying in a rescue facility was not really possible. Plus at her age and declining health and the number of healthier cats and kittens at this time of year that she probably would be overlooked for adoption.
We decided to put her to sleep. Walking out of the vets with her soft warm body only 3 weeks to the day after going through the same with P*ssycat I felt like such a bad person. All she wanted was love and affection and to be taken care of which I couldn't do for her, but at least she got affection and care she needed during those last twenty minutes.
I have come to the understanding that what we did was in her best interest, especially because of the high temperatures here this summer. I just wish I could have given her so much love over those few days we spent together. I also know that I wasn't betraying P*ssycat at all and her memory could never be overtaken. Now I am just so sad for Desi, how could anyone abandon their beautiful pet like this? Despite her inside problems she was still going about life as best she could, trying to be friendly and comfortable. She was so skinny and hungry, if I had of known just what her condition was I would have given her everything I had.
I guess I just wanted to share her beautiful memory with some other people so it's not just in my mind. Someone cared for her at some point in her life and I would like for her to be remembered at least by a few people. Take care Desi.