Monday, November 17th, 2025 06:01 pm
I had Smokey PTS today. I am heartbroken. All the way home from the vets I wanted to scream “give me my cat back”.

Smokey came to live with me when I was living in London and shortly after my mum died. I had wanted a cat for some time, but given that I visited mum every three weeks it didn’t seem fair to have someone have to come in and feed it while I trotted off.

She came from the RSPCA cat shelter in (I think) Finsbury Park, with all the palaver that entails around being inspected and providing reliable references.

I chose her rather than her sister because Smokey was lively and the sister wasn’t. And because I knew that as a black cat she might struggle more to find a home.

Why now? Smokey had been struggling more and more each day. She had a hard little cough that I didn’t like the sound of. She was struggling to jump onto my bed. Her coat was “staring”, meaning it stood up rather than lying down and being glossy, and, as I became aware on Saturday night, her purr had changed. In fact she didn’t seem to be able to purr properly. Worst of all, she just sat in a corner all day and looked mournful. In short, it was time.

I wish I could believe in things like the “rainbow bridge” but I can’t.

She was the best cat, and I will miss her always.
Tags:
Monday, November 17th, 2025 06:23 pm (UTC)
Condolences on your loss.
Monday, November 17th, 2025 06:42 pm (UTC)
I am so sorry.
Monday, November 17th, 2025 06:43 pm (UTC)
Condolences. I know how hard that decision is.
Monday, November 17th, 2025 08:03 pm (UTC)
I'm sorry for your loss
fox: my left eye.  "ceci n'est pas une fox." (Default)
[personal profile] fox
Tuesday, November 18th, 2025 12:10 am (UTC)

oh, i'm so sorry. she was so lucky to have you.

Tuesday, November 18th, 2025 12:16 am (UTC)
So sorry to hear this! She was a lovely cat.
Tuesday, November 18th, 2025 01:51 am (UTC)
I am so very sorry for your loss. I have loved reading about Smokey and am sorry she's gone. xo
Tuesday, November 18th, 2025 03:51 am (UTC)
*hugs* I'm very sorry.
Tuesday, November 18th, 2025 04:32 am (UTC)
I'm so very sorry for your loss.

I've really liked reading about Smokey and getting to know her through your posts.

Please take care of yourself. It's such a hard decision to make.
Tuesday, November 18th, 2025 04:53 am (UTC)
This is so sad, and I'm very sorry to hear it. She loved you, and you were her home. Take care of yourself and Opal. I'll be thinking of you.


Tuesday, November 18th, 2025 11:16 pm (UTC)
I'm so sorry for your loss. She was the best cat and you gave her an amazing life full of love. *hugs*
Wednesday, November 19th, 2025 08:52 pm (UTC)
I'm so sorry. *hugs*
Wednesday, November 19th, 2025 09:28 pm (UTC)
Wednesday, November 19th, 2025 11:14 pm (UTC)
I am so sorry.
Sunday, November 23rd, 2025 11:05 pm (UTC)
I'm so sorry. Knowing you've done the right thing doesn't make it any easier.
Thursday, November 27th, 2025 02:28 pm (UTC)
Oh, I am just so sorry for your losing Smokey. I recall when she came to live with you all that time ago. It is devastating when the time comes. She was a very exemplary cat❤️
Sunday, December 21st, 2025 02:46 pm (UTC)
I'm sorry to read this. You will never forget her, but I hope the mourning is easing a little with time.

I've not been following dreamwidth or I would have commented sooner. Perhaps it's as well though. We said goodbye to our Minnie just a few days earlier and it would have hit me very hard. She was such a grumpy darling.
Friday, January 2nd, 2026 08:11 am (UTC)

Very late, but I wanted to say how sorry I am that your little cat has gone and I know how you'll miss her.

But also - sorry if this is weird - thank-you for not letting it go on too long. It sounds like you gave Smokey a good ending, and that's what we all want for animals we care for.