Not quite! It has been very fun, but very busy. Then, a couple of weeks ago, I got word that my little cat Larry was sinking, and sinking fast. I had been watching him for months, taking note that he hadn't been grooming himself very well. Last Wednesday found me flying back to NM to be with him during his last days.
It was beyond special. I wish I could have had time like that with my loved ones I've lost in years past. It made his leaving easier. We had said all we had to say, confident in our feelings about each other, and when he was finally out of pain, I found myself happy for him.
I decided he couldn't just leave without some official notification to friends and family, and sent out the following obituary:
It is with great sadness that I must inform you that Lorenzo de Valdez, aka Larry the cat, left this lifetime on Monday, July 30, after suffering quietly with an undiagnosed malady the last month. For those of you who knew him well, you will note that Larry was never quiet. (This, alone, was cause for concern.)
He is survived by his humans, two Rottweilers, and his sometime companion and frequent sparring partner, Roberto del Gato, or Bob, as he is known to those in his inner circle.
Larry came to us from the local animal shelter in the fall of 1997. He was a mere 1.3 lbs. and not in good health. He spent most of his life battling inflammatory bowel disease, so he never really knew good health. He was, as many chronically ill patients may be, loathe to see his doctors, and because of his behavior in their offices, he was not their favorite patient. (In fact, his file had a notation that he was fractious.)
He will be remembered as quite a conversationalist. While his favorite topics were issues relating to his existential angst, he was also able to hold his own when it came time to register complaints about household issues. I imagine he might go on to be a great orator in his next life.
There will be a private service for immediate family members only on a future date.
