PoC

Cathulhu died yesterday. It was unexpected.

On Sunday morning Helen, after going to feed the Innsmouth House cats, rushed back upstairs to say Lulu (our short nickname for Cathulhu) looked injured and almost unrecognisable as our cat. After going back down into the Utility room where they have their food and bed it was obvious that the little cat was badly hurt. Her collar had gone, she was bloodied, her breathing was irregular, wasn't walking and the flesh on her chin had been ripped away. As it was a Sunday morning we called the emergency vets.

We took Cathulhu to the PDSA in Bradford where they assessed her and said that due to her injuries she had more than likely been hit by a car. They kept her in and put her on fluids with the proviso that they may need to operate (possibly for internal bleeding and ruptured bladder). A few hours later we got a call: good news - her bladder wasn't ruptured, bad news - it looked like there was severe internal bleeding. An exploratory operation may have been an option but the vet advised us that Lulu had already lost so much blood that the chances of her dying under anaesthetic were extremely high.

We didn't want to put her through that. It was a hard phone call to make.

We were informed that Lulu was fading quickly so we rushed back to the PDSA. She was subdued, with various drips & lines plugged into her. We were given a few minutes alone to say goodbye. We patted her, stroked her and scratched behind her ear the way she always liked. She looked up at us a few times, but was very weak. The vet came back in and assured us it would be quick. She was given an injection and put on her side.

It looked for all the world like she was sleeping, but we knew that was the end of our little cat. No more meowing at the door, no more rolypolys on the floor, no more tummy rubs or "putting her chin down" when she was resting on my arm while typing in the Yoggie Chat Room.

Cathulhu was gone.

This blog entry has not been easy to write, but it's another way to say goodbye. "Lulu" was only a cat but for the past six years, since a kitten, had been very much part of our day-to-day lives and her death was sudden and untimely. I can't in all good conscience keep using Cathulhu's purr in Yog Radio so I will have to come up with different bumpers for the show.

Our friend Nick (lordof1) being a vet was a great support and helped assure us that Cathulhu wasn't suffering. Thank you Nick, and apologies from a couple of worried cat owners for calling you so many times.

We will miss you our friendly, mischievous little cat. Rest in peace.

Cathulhu 2004-2010.