And then there were 9: RIP Puff

Our Puff crossed the Bridge on Saturday, February 16. Puff was having difficulty walking. Puff had walked rather stiff legged (hind legs) for years. Mom figured he had arthritis in his hips. He was still able to jump onto mom's bed, and he would still get on the top level of the cat trees.

Greg (mom's brother) called on February 13 to see if she made it safely to Dayton, OH. During their conversation he mentioned that Puff was "walking funny." Mom mentioned the stiff legged arthritis walk, but he said this was different. She told him to keep an eye on Puff, and that she would be home on February 15.

When mom arrived home, Puff was sleeping in the cat bed that's in the living room. He woke up long enough to acknowledge her arrival but he didn't get up to greet her. Later that night Puff finally got up to get some food. His gait was definitely off. It's hard to describe it. It wasn't as pronounced as Batman's issue with the saddle thrombosis, and he didn't cry when he walked (which Batman did). Mom thought it could possibly have something to do with his kidneys (he was almost 16). She decided to take him to the see the vet on Saturday.

Mom got him in her lap for a bit on Saturday morning (February 16). She noticed that his back feet were cold. Something was going on with his circulation. The vet said she could feel a pulse in his hind legs, but it wasn't strong. She listened to his heart and said the beat was "thready". When she palpated his abdomen she said she felt a mass. It wasn't poop backed up. She strongly suspected it was cancer. Mom's eyes started leaking and she said she didn't have the money to run a bunch of tests. Dr. G said she didn't think it would change the outcome even it mom did have some tests ran. It was with a very heavy heart that she chose to let Puff cross the Bridge.

Mom said that she held Puff while paperwork was being readied. He had his purr motor on high. She buried her face in his fur and cried. He only purred louder. (Mom is crying right now). Puff's crossing was gentle. A private cremation was chosen and his ashes were returned later in the week.

Puff joined our family, along with his 3 siblings and Batman, in June 2007. Batman was 5 years old, Puff, Spunky, Panda, and Ginger were 4 years old. Panda crossed the Bridge in April 2013. Spunky crossed the Bridge in October 2017. Batman crossed the Bridge in June 2018. And now Puff. Ginger is the only one left from the "Cleveland Cats".

With love to all,

Angel Clarissa

Puff

aka Capt. Puff "Puffypants" McPufferson

2003-2/16/2019