One even that has taken place recently that contributed to the bout of depression I have been feeling was Cory and my decision to put down Flip, our cat.
You might remember when we first got this little guy, back in July of 2012. Our other cat, Ralphie, was in desperate need of a good pal, so we thought adopting another cat close in age would do the trick. It did, but it also brought a whole other bag of issues.
Flip was the most loving and adorable cat I have ever had in my life. Of all the animals I've had as pets, Flip and I got along the best. I wanted a lot of cuddling and so did he. If he wanted to play, I was there to play with him. There would be times he would put his paws on my shoulders and jab his face into my chin and just sort of hug me. he would even help me do school work. Needless to say, I loved him a lot.
Flip came with quite a few health issues, though. He never fully accepted having to use the litter boxes we provided--which caused a lot of damaged furniture, cleaning, and frustration for Cory. He also seemed to be extra sensitive to getting crystals in his urinary tract, which meant we were at the vet at least once a month. It added up really quickly and was an extra cost that was sometimes very difficult for us to pay.
Fast forward to December 2011--January 2012. Flip developed bathroom anxiety big time. He felt as if he had to go to the bathroom every five minutes (not an exaggeration). He would squat all over the house all the time. He was so stressed about having to go to the bathroom that he continually forced himself to go, even when he truly didn't have to. It became a compulsive behavior that led him to bursting blood vessels in his urinary tract, ultimately, causing him to bleed more than produce urine.
After a few trips to the emergency vet and his refusal to accept any medication, there was simply nothing more we could do. It was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make. I loved this cat very much and truly looked forward to spending time with him each night, but he was suffering so badly. Finally, on February 8th, Cory took him to the vet to be put down.
Our house has been pretty quiet ever since. Ralphie has gone through all the stages of kitty mourning, just like Cory and I have, too. I'm not going to lie, losing a pet is really difficult. There have been many moments throughout the last month that I have felt so lonely and all I have wanted is that little guy to come curl up with me on the couch.
I really wish there was more that we could've done, but I just didn't see how we could and still keep up with our budget. Ultimately, I just didn't want him to suffer anymore. Anyway. I never thought I'd be the kind of person to tribute a pet on my blog--but I am.
Rest in Peace Flipper.
xo,
Liz
