Fred died......

“Just another sad, dead pet thread.

Those of you who have been to my house had met Fred, my geriatric (16 years old) orange cat.

He was a little schitzo, but he loved to be fondled.
He knew his name, and he would come when called.

I'd had him since he was six weeks old.
He just loved attention, and he was a good old boy.

He vanished the day after I left on my latest trip of 11 days.

When John came up to Sonora Pass to retrieve me at the trailhead this past Friday, he told me he hadn't seen Fred for more than 10 days.
Not a good sign.

Freds' kidneys began to shut down last September and I have been infusing him three times a week with Ringers Lactate solution since then.

It was pretty hard on both of us; you have to hold him down, insert a pretty big needle under the skin on the back of his neck, and then start a drip line to give him fluids.

I asked the vet how long he could live like this, and she just said, as long as he wants to.

He was looking pretty rickity in the days before my last trip began, but he's been looking rickity for quite some time.

He had a pretty good hold on life.

I got home Friday evening, and followed my nose.

Poor Fred lay down under the wild sweet pea vines on the back fence. He never got up again.

John picked him up, and moved him to rest under a nice little granite slab in the garden next to the fence on the north side of the house, and underneath trailing lilac bushes.

Solitary Hiker and Phil both got to know Fred when they came here to stay.

Fred was real happy sitting on Sol's lap.

Thanks for being so nice to him.”

“My condolences Mel.”

“Sorry to hear about your cat. I used to have an a tabby that was reddish orange. He lived for 17 years and developed a bladder condition for a few years, but did well with a pill I used to give him every day. Losing pets is rough. They can become your best pals.”

“Sniff, sniff....”

“Sorry to hear about Fred, mel. Losing a beloved pet is like losing a family member. It's always tough. Hang in there.”

“My Sympathies go out to ya Mel.
Have you heard from Freddie the Pink Flamingo lately? I thought this may have been about him at first.”

“Sorry for your loss. There's not a dam% thing I can say that will make it better, just want you to know I'm sorry for your loss.”

“Sorry about that, Mel...I lost my 16 yo tiger cat Angela about 7 months ago. It was hard. I too had her from the time she was little...about 8 weeks old. My sympathies.”

“Lotsa' times it seems like life is a sh!t sandwich where your pets are concerned.

They give you such comfort, and you suffer so much when you lose them.

Thanks for the shoulders to sniffle on.

It's so nice we have this little family here on TT.

Freddie the Flamingo seems to be out and about.

I only today received a CD from him (Freddie Flamingo's Pink Vacation) on his adventure crossing the US.

I haven't had time to look at it yet, but I will share the details as soon as I can.”

“Sorry to hear about it Mel. The loss of a longtime pet is like the loss of a family member.”

“Sorry about yer loss!

Sounds like Fred was lucky to have you.”

“My condolences...and a paws for a meow-ment of silence in honor of Fred. (They don't show it, but I believe cats have a very sly sense of humor.) May Fred be lucky enough to encounter the sweetest lady tabby ever to enter cat heaven, my dear Gigi, gone these five years.”

“Sorry Mel! I'm sure Fred had a great life with you and it was time for him to be at peace. Take care. From a fellow cat lover.”

“So sorry--it is always too soon.”

“Very sorry to hear about your cat's passing. My condolences. Keep your chin up.”

“Mel - Sorry to hear about Fred. Pets can really mean a lot.

Glad to see you posting between trips. Hope things are going OK otheriwse.”

“He was lucky to have you Mel! Sorry for your loss. Rest assured that he's in a another loving place again.”

“Goodbye, Mister Kitty

Here's a hug mel..........
Hey, watch those hands, woman!!!”

“aww, sorry mel.

I lost my little orange guy 6 years ago. My first kitty...had since I was 7. There's a special place in my heart for orange kitties.

Rest in peace, Fred.
=^..^=”

“Awwwww Mel. I fully understand the gerth of the pain that you must be feling. I won't go into detail about my cat loss story. Crying at work is NOT a good thing. I hope you feel better.”

“Sorry, Mel. Ditto the sentiments of those posts above....”

“Mel...

Few words can offer comfort, and I lack the eloquence to try a substitute. Still, I wanted to say a few things...

having met Fred, too, I know how much it can mean to be the "leader of the pack" and know that one's pet is beloved by honored guests. I know that as Fred made the rounds of guests there for the llama hike, & an occasional glance from you, checking his actions and whereabouts, was pretty clear evidence that he was a cherished member of the family.

I think your vet's comment was prophetic, for it seems clear to me that Fred, in all his feline wisdom, chose his time - and his place - and moved to a higher plane on his own terms.

I have been where you are, and will be again. I don't look forward to that time. But it's the journey of companionship for me, and you, too, I suspect, that gives us and those pets we care for the joy we experience daily, just by having them around. They judge us not, nor do they discriminate. And they can turn an otherwise lonely moment into laughter, friendship, and peace.

Their innocence lives on.

Thinking of you and Fred...

Michael”

“Aw....

You guys are too much.

Such kind words for my marmalade cat, and me.

Thank you all.

Thanks Obi.
Once again you have my admiration as the gentleman and scholar you are.

What would most of us do without this place and our friends here?”

“Sorry about your loss...

The best we can do for our animals is treat them like family and be sure their short lives are full of love....that sounds like Fred's life. He was very lucky to be a part of your family.

Steve”