In Celebration of Charlie
Charlie was euthanised at 12:30 pm today. He had a long illness. I nursed him for about 6 months, quite intensively in the last few weeks. He was deeply loved.
Handsome Charlie. The way I’d like to remember him. My photo.
He was diagnosed with a tumor in the face – in the sinuses and nose. The tumor was pushing his right eye out; it bulged. His left eye seemed to have become sunken. He had to breathe through his mouth for the past 2 months or more.
I had a long discussion with Charlie’s excellent vet, Katy at Vets at White Hart Lane, Barnes, London and looking at all the options decided upon euthanasia for Charlie’s sake. He had become quite uncomfortable over the past week being unable to settle and keeping his head high all the time. Sometimes he scratched his head which I interpreted as trying to alleviate discomfort.
He became passive and lethargic, quiet and weak. Hie eyes became dark and dull losing their life. He had such beautifully bright eyes. I felt everything he felt.
It has been a very stressful time and last night and today has been very hard to cope with.
I inherited Charlie after my mother died about five years ago. He had three legs and a big heart. He was quite an alpha-type, testosterone fueled cat but also timid and sweet sometimes.
Alert Charlie with silky black coat
He was handsome and it was distressing to see him lose his looks towards the end.
Now my home is quiet and empty. I miss him already. It seems strange because this is the first time I have not lived with a cat for 25 years.
May my beloved boy cat Charlie rest in peace. I hope he is with Binnie and Missie who passed before him. He will be individually cremated and his ashes placed with those of Binnie and Missie in an urn which I keep in my home.
I will wait before deciding what to do next.
I loved you Charlie and always will.