Had to say goodbye to my cat after 15 years today

by mark | 25 Jun 2022, 12:39 p.m.

We got Misu fifteen years ago as a kitten, when we were living in Sheffield. Before we were married even. He's been with us ever since and has always been a playful affectionate moggie who wanted nothing more than a piece of tuna and a lap to sit on. 

Recently he has not been himself and his mobility has gone too. Took him to the vets for some tests yesterday and there was a laundry list of issues - mainly end stage renal failure which had caused diabetes as well as osteoarthritis. Treatment would not have been kind; the drugs that would have been used for his joints could not be started until other things were under control and that would have taken several months, by which point it would be close to the end anyway with his kidney disease. Only a few months back he was still full of beans but now he had become an old immobile cat who found lying down painful. There was only one last thing we could do for him. I've never had to have a pet euthanised before, I was surprised (but relieved) at how quick it was. 

We took this picture of Misu and our little Atlas during the height of the 2020 lockdowns. Atlas was knocked down by a car last year and the suddenness of losing him was very upsetting. With Misu we knew it was coming and it was just his time to go. Two wonderful cats who are very missed.