In Memorium: Jerry, The Ginger One
??/??/???? – 18/02/2009
Today, after a short illness, I had to have The Ginger One put to sleep.
I actually made the decision a week ago after he stopped eating but after a course of antibiotics, he still wasn’t better. I’d been watching him so closely that I was no longer sure whether it was real or just my paranoia acting up. He spent twenty four hours being miserably ill and I had no choice but to get him back in.
I took him back to see the vet, Ashley, who was ever so kind. She actually hadn’t realised how old he was but confirmed he’d lost weight and she suspected some problem – possibly a tumour or blockage. Whatever it was, it was making him miserable and upsetting me. His life was good but the quality of it was rapidly fading.
This morning I sat down with him and asked if he minded what I would have to do. Jerry looked me right in the fact and I was sure it was a sign that he understood and agreed. He was tired and wanted to go, I’m not one to argue with that. Then he swiped me round the face! I’m taking that as a sign to stop sobbing and do what needed to be done.
So Mum came over and we took him in. He seemed distant, as if he had already left us, from the moment we took him into the examination room. He sat quite calmly, seemingly transfixed by something near the ceiling. Ashley took a look at him and we explained that it was time. I just had to sign a form and she agreed it was the right thing to do.
After his front right paw was shaved, the actual passing took less than twenty seconds. I stroked his head and watched as his bright eyes dilated and suddenly went dull, as if someone had turned a dimmer switch. That was it. He was gone.
I miss him to bits but know in my heart that I did the right thing. I would rather send him on his way to the Summerlands now while he is happyish and pain-free than wait for him to go rapidly downhill. At his age, there was no point putting him through tests and the support both he and I have received since his illness began from the Facebook and Twitter community has really helped.
Thanks once again for all your kind messages and tweets.
I know Jerry will be taking a break although I’m sure he’ll come back, probably mightier and gingerier than ever. He had a good life and a beautiful passing, which is all we can ever ask for.
Photos of The Ginger One can be found here.
Geomancy and I will miss seeing his tweets every day, his gentle nosetaps, Our thoughts and purrs are with you.
davemc
*sob*
Some times the right choices are also the most hardest ones. This choice I know was the hardest of all. I for one think you are very brave.
*hugs*
Poor poor ginger one.. I miss news of him now. I read that with my ‘Moggy’ purring in my ear. lets hope I have many more years of happyness to spend with her.
Jerry will always be your good friend and I’m sure you will meet again someway, somehow. Hugs to you today and I will be hugging my furry ones first thing when I get home today.
Dahlia P. Kittenface and I will miss the mighty Ginger One’s tweets, and you have our deepest sympathies. I know what it’s like to lose a beloved cat friend. *hugs* if you want them.
Sorry to hear your news today Lesley.
I am thinking of you.
SO sorry for both of you!! Been through this with several loved ones and it is the absolute hardest thing!! My last two kitties wanted to fight it, so I fought with them for months: sub-q fluids, hand-feeding, etc. Ultimately, they were stronger and wiser than I; they left when it became too much for them. I’m still devastated and heart-broken. May you find comfort and joy in Ginger-colored memories. {{{hugs}}}
I’m so sorry to hear about your loss. I read about your kitty through a mutual twitter friend. I had to have my 16 year old cat put down in September. That was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. It was the same type case. My cat was just getting too sick, and she was miserable. She went from 15 pounds to 5 pounds. We knew it was time to just let her rest and our vet agreed. It would be a very selfish thing to keep our beloved kitties alive knowing that they are in any kind of pain, so know that you did the right thing. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think about my cat, Sheba, but I know she’s in a better place. Just knowing that I did the right thing helps me to feel better. I know Jerry is already watching out for you and waiting for the day you get to see each other again.
My eyes are filled with tears. M’amselle Chloe and I send our deepest condolences on your loss. I went through the same thing with my 17 yr old boy, Ashton, last June and even though I knew it was the right and necessary thing to do, it was still so very, very hard. We will certainly miss The Ginger One’s voice in the twittercritter community!
I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of your furkid. I always enjoyed hearing about The Ginger One on Twitter. Keeping you in my thoughts. **soft hugs**
I’m so sorry to hear, Lesley, and i agree with others, you are very brave and strong, and it’s so good of you to have made the right choice for you both.
i have been thinking of getting 2 kitties lately… i have only even had dogs, and was wondering if the companionship was the same, and you have shown me that the answer is yes, without a doubt. <3
Lesley, you absolutely did the right thing, even though I know it was such a hard thing to do. This is exactly what happened with Blossom and I have so felt for you the past few days. I hope it’s a comfort that actually going is not awful for the kitteh – as with The Ginger One, Blossom just slipped away.
Letting him go now while he was still reasonably OK was the kindest gift you could have given him. Lots of love from me and from Daphne xx
A very touching piece about our friend, Leslie. So sorry you lost your sweet guy. I look forward to getting to know him again when he returns in his next life. *nosetap*
The Brew
I’m so sorry to hear your news. I’ve only been Twitting a few days but looked forward to The Ginger One. It’s a terrible decision to make and you have my sympathy, I’m not going to say the usual stuff, as you’ll have heard it. So just to let you know I’m thinking of you. xx
So sorry to read of Jerry’s passing. I’ve been there and I know how hard that decision was, even when he told you he was ready. In the end, you did what was best for *him*. You’re hurting now, but he is not, thanks to your love.
I’m so sorry! The_Ginger_One will be greatly missed & remembered always. Dang, can’t see the keys thru’ the tears…whisker hugs!
Sleep well Jerry the Ginger One. Say hello to my Oscar, Baba, Tabitha and Henry at Rainbow Bridge. xxx
Oyasumi, Jerry.
Lesley,
I’m CharlieKitty’s mom on Twitter. This is sooo sad. My husband and I had a tabby that went through a terrible ordeal quite similar to this. We had elected to do surgery but when the vet opened him up, she found that his tumor had spread through several organs. She put him to sleep for us, and we had a private funeral in our backyard. AS I read your tweets from Ginger_One, I felt like I was reliving our dear Rudy’s same issues.
Take care and consider yourself hugged. I know that you will miss that adorable little nose.
A.
I’m sorry for your loss.
aaaawww, so sorry. My condolences, I didn’t know if for very long, but I sure will miss him :’-(
As I sit here crying my eyes out…just know that I am sorry for your loss. I lost an orance and white (Sami) about a month ago. I have now gained another kitty (Chance), but it doesn’t make me miss Sami any less.
Peacelizard (Rascal), haiku_warrior (Itty Biggy), and I didn’t know the ginger (Jerry) for very long, but we did enjoy his tweets and being part of the ginger club.
Thank you for sharing the photos with us.
Sincerely,
Terri B.
just another cat lover…
So sorry, I lost my cat last year after 10 years… I still miss her dearly, but I new have a cool black kitten called Mew (Yep, I’ll admit it! The name was Pokémon-inspired!)
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