Saturday 13 October 2007

Nibs

For those of you who have been following Nibs's fortunes I am afraid I have some sad news. Yesterday evening he died suddenly as the result of a heart attack. It was particularly unexpected as he's had a check-up on Tuesday and the vet had said his heart was sounding good, and his various medications had seemed to be working well. At least it was quick, over in well under five minutes. But still upsetting for all of us, me and the other cats, especially Pepper who was close by when it happened.

Nibs arrived just over two years ago as a stray. Initially he was taken in by my neighbour on the understanding that I would take him over if she couldn't find his owner as she was leaving and going to India for a year. Before he moved in he seemed on friendly terms with my cats, playing with them in the garden and wandering into the kitchen to mop up their left-overs.

Once he moved in however it was a different matter - no fights but he clearly had a very intimidating stare and the others avoided him partly because he repelled all their advances in no uncertain terms. The turning-point came after they'd all had a brief visit to the cattery over Christmas - Nibs had been in a separate pen and on their return home they all seemed glad to see each other again and took to curling up together.


Shortly after his arrival, Nibs was diagnosed as hyperthyroid, which may have explained his aggression towards the others. He got along fine on the tablets until earlier this year when he had a minor stroke, losing his eyesight totally for six hours, and then almost totally after bleeding into the eye. After his thyroid tablets had been adjusted, and he'd been prescribed beta-blockers, his blood-pressure and thyroid levels returned to normal and his eyesight improved, but never completely returned to normal. This marked the end of his days of being boss of the neighbourhood, but he was still able to enjoy most things - good food, the company of other cats, cuddles and accompanied strolls round the neighbourhood, all of which he continued to enjoy till the end.

We'll all miss him. Me especially - in recent months he tended to follow me wherever I went in the house and curled up to sleep on my pillow at night. But at least I know he had a happy life here and was well cared for.

8 comments:

Stitching with Schnauzer and Siamese said...

Some really lovely photos and memories. Always hard though.
Take care
Best wishes
Maggie

mzjohansen said...

Oh ! I am SO sorry. I know how difficult it is - four legs or two - all family. My thoughts are with you. You gave him a good life - and that's a very happy thing !

sharon young said...

Hi Sandra
I was so sorry to read your news, our pets do become members of the family and as a dog owner of an older dog I do sympathise, but you gave him a good home.

All the best

Sharon

Anonymous said...

I am so happy that the last days of his life was knowing he was loved and cared about and had a full tummy. Hugs to you on your grief. We all have to believe we will meet again :)
Hugs
A lurker ... Ruth

artmixter said...

Oh, so sorry, Sandra, big hugs...

artmixter said...

Ps...I just tagged you...info on my blog...sorry....

Lorraine said...

What a beautiful cat and a beautiful story. I am so happy that you gave him such a good life in his later years.

Lorraine said...

I'm so sad about Nibs but so happy that his last two years were filled with love and good care. I find it so difficult to cope with the loss of one of my fur babies. They are always in my heart and thinking of them bring me to tears. Why can't they stay with us forever -- they are just too precious to leave so soon. My heart goes out to you.
Lorraine