Casper, In Loving Memory

Casper The Friendly Cat

For my friend, Becke, in loving memory

Taken from Facebook

Words by Becke Martin Davis

It's been a sad, traumatic morning. Casper has gone to join all the other pets we've lost. He lived 19 years, and survived some serious illnesses. We nearly lost him two years ago, but this time his body finally just gave out. The vet said the sudden inability to walk may have been caused by a blot clot - apparently this happens sometimes in older cats. She also thinks he's been suffering kidney failure, based on the amount of water he's been drinking.
Casper - more than any of our pets - always hated getting into the cat carrier and going to the vet. The local vet referred us to a mobile veterinary clinic, who in turn referred us to Laps of Love. Dr. Stacy came to our house, spent some time cuddling Casper, then explained to me step by step what she was going to do. She gave him some pain meds first, and a tranquilizer, which took effect almost immediately. We both sat and stroked him for another ten minutes or so before she gave him the final injection. I was sobbing all over the place, but at least Casper isn't suffering any longer, and he didn't have the additional stress from going out in this cold weather.

Dr. Stacy took an impression of his paw in a circle of clay, and clipped a piece of his fur and tied it in a ribbon. Then she wrapped up Casper in a soft baby blanket and set him in a basket, and gave us time to say our final goodbyes. As hard as this was, he died at home, in a place where he was comfortable, and he never seemed afraid of Dr. Stacy. She gave me a hug when she left, and treated Casper with respect and gentleness from beginning to end.

Thanks for all your good wishes for Casper. We're going to miss him!

Thinking about Casper this morning. He was a sweet cat but he was totally useless as a mouser. (His buddy Tiger, on the other hand, was lethal.) We had a big field behind our house - I think it was one of those deals where the owners got paid not to grow things. Once or twice there were corn and soybean crops, but usually the field was just plowed twice a year with no actual harvest. They'd come at night with the harvesters - it reminded me of ET. Anyway, after the field was plowed everything that fled the harvester would make its way to our yard (and to our neighbors' yards).

I wasn't fond of the (harmless but scary) black rat snakes and hog snakes that showed up in the yard, but the little field mice were kind of cute. They weren't like regular mice - the would sit on their hind legs and hop. One day, I was sitting at my desk and I kept hearing a rustling noise. At first I thought it was in the wall, then I realized it was in the cabinet of my desk. I left the door open and went out of the room for awhile. When I came back, I saw a cute little field mouse sitting by my chair, looking confused. Marty went to get a plastic bin to catch it and move it outside, but in the meantime, Casper strolled in. The mouse didn't budge. Casper went right up to the mouse, sniffed it and then gave his head a lick. It was like he was kissing it. The mouse hopped closer to him and they just looked at each other. Casper plopped onto the carpet and watched when Marty caught it and put it outside. At least he didn't catch it and bring it back in, which is what one of our other cats used to do.

You can see why I recommend Lap of Love!

Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice of Chicagoland
In loving memory of Casper, a handsome buff colored 19 year old cat. Although he didn’t care to be picked up, Casper was a very affectionate, loving boy. He liked walking on the back of the couch rubbing up against his mom or dad’s neck. Casper lived with various kitty brothers and sisters over the years and he was always so welcoming to new cats. He was particularly close to Tiger who he has joined at the Rainbow Bridge now. In recent years, Casper had Charlie to help keep him young with wrestling and play and grooming each other.

Casper was always a bit less coordinated than a typical cat, but recently his hind legs became very weak. His appetite was starting to decrease, too, and his mom and dad knew it was time to let their sweet boy go. Lying in one of his favorite spots, on a big, cozy area rug, with his mom by his side sending him so much love, Casper peacefully passed away. Rest well, handsome boy. You will be missed.

~Dr. Stacy