Cougar passed into Bast's arms at 6pm, Saturday, September 29, 2007. Mom believed his age to be around 22. All I know is that for as long as I remember, Cougar has always been a part of our family. I had taken him in a couple of years ago when mom had moved and couldn't keep him. We already had five cats, had wondered how adding a sixth would work. However, Cougar eased into our home, an elder statesman, with nary a twitched whisker. Now that he's gone, there's a hole, and suddenly, five cats seems so much less than six.

 

His passing was for the best. He had an ear tumor and although the vets said if we had the money ($600-$1200) they could do surgery, but really, didn't know what his quality of life would be afterwards. And given his age, and the fact that he had a heart murmur, didn't even know if he'd survive surgery. So we brought him home. His follow up appointment was at 9 am on Friday morning. We never expected not to have him by Saturday night. However, the goddess had her own plans, and apparently she needed a huge loveable kitty to trip over in the kitchen when she was cooking, and who bashed his head against her ankles for attention. He's with Bast now, getting his reward. We hope that he finds old friends.

Intellectually I know this isn't an ending. The cycle of life turns, death, birth, death, rebirth. I hope if I'm lucky that I'll get to see Cougar again. I take comfort in the Rainbow Bridge. I take comfort in the fact that he's no longer in pain. And I take comfort in the fact that I know there is a higher power and that she does have a plan for us.

That's not to say grief is easy. There's still pain, loss, the emptiness that we feel now that his earthly shell is gone. I'm working through it. I'm doing better. And when things start to get too tough, I find solace in the goddess.

Blessed be, Cougar. Make sure they treat you right up there.