When I first got my little ginger spit fire in '05 I knew he would be my greatest love. I got him right after high school, so we grew up together. He became older, and wiser, and so did I. He was always by my side, my little sidekick. Our personalities were so alike. So when we got the news last year that his limp was definitely something to be concerned about, it was devastating. The xrays revealed his bone had been eaten away and was most likely cancerous. Having to act fast, we had his amputation the following week. That was the hardest time in my life. I felt so lost and confused, wondering if I did the right thing. Did I make the right choice for him? Will he be the same goofy goober cat I knew and loved? I could not have made it through that time without the Tripawds community. 

He proved me so wrong. Just hours after bringing him home he hoped out of his crate, and used the litter box that was across the room! I was shocked. I was told his appetite may be less during recovery, but he ate voraciously. I knew nothing would slow him down. 

He got better, his glorious ginger hair grew back. He ran around all crazy kitty like, jumped onto the kitchen counters, did everything the way he used to do before his surgery. 

A year passes, we celebrate his 1 year ampuversary, thinking he's beaten it. But then his eyes became cloudy, his steps began to falter. He was beginning to slow down. We took him to the vet multiple times, did more bloodwork and tried to make him feel better. Gave him supplements and eye drops. But nothing worked. He only got worse. 

Within a week he stopped eating. He stopped walking, and was barely opening his eyes. We took him to the vet one final time. We did a set of xrays and the cancer had spread to his lungs. There was nothing we could do. 

I feel like I lost him twice. I wasn't sure he would live past his amputation, let alone thrive. And to see him go downhill so quickly was devastating. We lost him on January 2nd 2018. Just a little over a year from his amputation. He was only 12. 

He was my goofy goob because he would purr so loud and make this silly face. The night before we lost him, he slept in his usual spot next to me, and I woke up to his purrs. I would give anything to have that again. I miss him terribly. 

I'm putting this post up because I want to share his story. I want people to know how hard he fought. He inspired me daily and brought me so much joy. I hope time will allow me to feel joy again thinking about him. 

Thank you Tripawds community, for always being here when I need you. 

Sleep well my dear baby boy. We miss you terribly. Run free now. Wait for me, Shmagegy. We love you very much.