Growing up with animals, I’ve always known that life feels incomplete without them. Whether they come into our lives as kittens or puppies, or we rescue them later in their life, they hold a special place in our hearts. I believe that we are brought together for a reason. Today, I’d like to share the story of my beloved cat, Skippy.
Skippy is 19 years and 6 months old—yes, you read that right. I found him when he was just a week old, huddled inside a pipe in my backyard. Actually, it was one of my dogs who alerted me to him. From that day on, I bottle-fed Skippy, and he grew up as part of the pack, with my dogs. I even had a Siberian Husky at the time who took Skippy under her wing. It’s not every day you see a husky mothering a tiny kitten, but sometimes the most unexpected bonds are the strongest.
As a kitten, Skippy had a rough start. At one point, he lost all his fur and was so tiny, I thought he might end up being the smallest cat in the world. But then, as if overnight, his coat grew in a rich chocolate color, which later transformed into a sleek black. He had a sudden growth spurt, and before I knew it, he was a handsome, 16-17 pound cat, full of life and personality.
Fearless and friendly, Skippy has been loved by everyone who meets him. We were lucky—he stayed healthy for most of his life. But around age 16, he began losing weight, and after a vet visit, we discovered he had hypothyroidism, a common condition in senior cats. Thankfully, Skippy made pilling easy, taking his medicine with grace—a kiss on the nose and a little food, and that was that. If only all cats were that cooperative!
Fast forward a few years, and Skippy is still with us. We live in a multi-pet household, and after losing many furkids over the years, you start to recognize the signs that the end is approaching. You know what’s coming, but you never know exactly when or how.
Over the past couple of months we’ve seen changes in Skippy. He’s become more clingy, my little shadow. He’s still eating, but not as much and getting picky, and he’s sleeping more. His gaze has a far-off look sometimes, and his walk is getting wobbly. His interest in his favorite treats are slowly fading. But rest assured his hearing and sight are still in check. He hears a bag open in the kitchen and he's right there.
We know his time is near, and it breaks my heart. But the blessing of knowing is that we can keep him happy and comfortable for as long as we can. When the Rainbow Bridge calls, whether he goes on his own or with our help, we’ll give him the gift of dignity. It’s never easy to talk about, but it’s so important to have a plan. We owe them that.
Through all of this, I remind myself not to dwell on the thought of “I can’t live without him.” Skippy has been by my side for over 19 years, through so many chapters of my life. He’s the last animal in our family who knew my mom, who passed 14 years ago. That connection means the world to me, and when Skippy’s time comes, I know it’s going to hit hard. But for now, I cherish every moment, every cuddle, every purr, every head butt. I’ll keep telling him he’s the goodest boy, give him all the treats he wants, and hold on to every single day we have left together whether it be weeks or months.
I'll hold your paw in my hand until your very last breath.
Anticipatory Grief
If you’re facing a similar situation, I found this helpful article about coping with the coming loss of a pet. It’s never easy, and no matter how many times you’ve been through it, it doesn’t get easier. But there are tools to help, and please remember, you’re not alone.
Hug your furkids and always let them know how much they mean to you—even when they drive you crazy. Xo ~Kim