Three years ago we adopted a stray kitten who grew big and fluffy and burrowed his way into our hearts. We dubbed him Ginko. In Ginko, WonderWife™ found a cat who adored all things fabric and would magically appear whenever she was working on a quilt to lay amongst the scraps on her sewing table. Sprout found a pet who wouldn’t run away from her attempts at affection, like our other, more nervous cat. The Bean found a best friend. The bond between Ginko and the Bean was palpable and touching. The cat followed the boy around the house during the day and happily rested on his bed as the Bean drifted off to sleep. Ginko would often howl outside of the Bean’s door at night, wanting to be closer to his friend.
WonderWife™ and I are burdened with the heavy knowledge that tomorrow will be Ginko’s last. As of my writing this, we haven’t yet broken the news to the kids. I imagine it’s going to be very hard for them to understand. Despite outward appearances, we have a very sick cat and based on what the vet tells us, the only humane decision is the most difficult one. Not only must we grieve, but we must guide our children through their first experience losing someone they love.
WonderWife™recently told me she had been looking forward to Ginko growing older, when his wild kitten-like nature would calm and he’d become a true lap cat. I was looking forward to watching my son grow up with his favorite pet. But that isn’t going to happen, because sadly sometimes pets get sick. And sometimes pets die young.
By the time you’re reading this Ginko will be gone and the Geek Boy family will be drowning our sorrows in giant bowls of ice cream. I’d give a lot if tomorrow morning I could wake up to him pissing on me.
RIP Ginky Malinky, rapscallion cat. You will be missed.
8 comments:
I'm sorry for the loss of your pet. A blog friend had to make the same decision about her dog this week too. As much as my puppy irritates the daylight out of me, I do know I love her and if anything happened we'd all be pretty upset.
Better add sprinkles and chocolate to the ice cream. Trust me, it'll help
Andrea...Thank you so much. A plethora of sugar is just what we all need.
I'm so sorry --- we went through that with our 12 year old Fidget last year --- she started peeing and losing weight and not eating so we knew (actually, we knew after spending $1000 at the vet) but it was the hardest day we have ever had. Our wee face is too young to have known what happened but we keep pictures of Fidgey around... Sometimes I think I see her out of the corner of my eye. Still... But my sadness has turned into fond memories... and thoughts of another feline friend at some point in our future.
Oh, I'm so sorry. It's never easy to lose a beloved companion, but it's doubly hard to have to help your kids through it, too. I hope you and WW and the kids are all doing okay. *hugs*
When little Inigo was hit by a car, my husband bought our oldest a wood jewelry box with a cat on it, and Inigo's little collar was inside. We all adored Inigo but he was hers. To this day she sleeps next to that box, it's been about six years. And I still cry when I think about it.
Love and hugs to you all!
Chantal...The Bean was too young to be aware of when we lost our other cat, but he knows of him and through this whole thing has been asking a lot of questions about my old cat. It's weird to have to relive that while going through this.
Zen...Thank you. The kids are doing much better than anticipated.
Sadie...That's achingly sad, but sweet.
I'm really sorry to hear it. Sounds like he was a great cat and a big part of your family. Farewell Ginko. Condolences to the GB family.
YEO...Thank you.
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