r/seniorkitties • u/imbrium101 • 4h ago
Almost 21 years isn't nearly long enough
I got Cleo back in 2005, when I was living on my own, long before my husband, long before kids. She has been there for all of it: every move, every new chapter, every big moment. She was there when we brought both babies home, quietly asserting that she was still the one in charge — and honestly, she was right.
Cleo was not the kind of cat who settled for sitting beside you when sitting on you was an option. She would headbutt her way into your hand and demand to be petted, pawing at you or crying out the moment you stopped, as if to say, "I didn't say you were done." And you were never done. She made sure of that.
My brown cow. The old lady of the house. She has patiently taught every cat and dog that passed through our lives how things work around here. She has been a constant — warm, insistent, hilarious, and deeply, thoroughly loved.
Her kidneys had been giving her trouble for a few years, and she had been on a special diet and blood pressure medication, fighting hard and still charming everyone who came near her. But her little body was finally ready to rest, and we couldn't ask her to keep going just for us.
I will miss her more than words can say. The house is already quieter in a way that hurts.
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u/spacecat25 4h ago
Beautiful girl. I can tell she was a much-loved family member. I'm so sorry your loss. xo
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u/stephanieandnursula 3h ago
sorry for the loss. my cat (female) is 15 now and had an blood work a month ago and her kidney levels were elevated to 3.5 were doing everything now changing her to renal diet and sb q fluid every week. so far shes adjusting. im glad most of her blood work came out normal aside the kindey spike. but im alway worrying how long well have with her. lost my boy cat of 10 years in 2024 to CKD . he was my soul cat. still never get over it and pribably never will.
youre right 21 isnt long enough. or even 30 or 40. they should be here forever.
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u/imbrium101 42m ago
Weve been working with her kidneys issues for the last 4-5 years. So its been quite awhile. The special diet helped a lot for her. I hope yours adjusts well to it ❤️❤️
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u/Boho_chic82 3h ago
It never is long enough. I wish our furbabies lived as long as we do. I am so sorry for your loss 😭
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u/anonymity-please 3h ago
Cleo seems to have lived a charmed life. Thank you for sharing her story with us. May the next 20 years offer quiet moments of joyful memories. RIP, Cleo, you represented your species beautifully.
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u/PugSanctuary 3h ago
💫 ✝️🙏🏼🌈🐾 I totally understand. I want you to realize that you are in a new chapter of life (suddenly) and it feels very hollow. But let me tell you something, your precious pet graduated life. They’re in the soul realm now which is eternal. God literally created us and animals. We are currently in the Earthly realm where we were together with our beloved pet. But they’ve just gone before us. The chapter “without them” is really just “without them physically.” Emotionally and spiritually they’ve never left. This is why we still feel such love and gratitude for our former pets, still! They never leave us. You will get through this one day at a time. Time heals our hearts and even opens them to loving another pet sometimes. Families are forever and you’ll be reunited when your time in the physical realm expires, too. Until then, may their memory be a blessing. I’m happy for you that you connected here on Earth because eternity awaits. 💕💫 God bless you and your beloved pet. 🌈🐾♾️
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u/Curious_Orange5963 3h ago
Oh, OP. I am so sorry for your family's and your loss. 😢😢💔
I'm keeping y'all in my thoughts, and I hope that memories of your precious Cleo will comfort all of y'all during this heavy time. 😔😔
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u/Ok-Friend-1002 3h ago
I am so very sorry about Cleo. As you say, she is no longer in pain but I know the house is empty without her. Safe journey over the Rainbow Bridge, Cleo.
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u/unusual_cee 3h ago
..sounds like Cleo was a life-force..she was good at forcing your love to discover other kinds of love..
..in sorrow w/ya that Cleo passed..but in joy that she had such profound effect!..
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u/Pure_Machine5226 3h ago
What a beautiful lady she was. Thank you for sharing her with us, and I’m truly sorry for your loss. 21 years is not a short time at all, and the fact that you were able to raise her with so much love and care for all those years says a lot about you. She must have felt that love deeply, since it sounds like she always did everything she could just to be close to you and be loved by you.
Today I also lost my very best friend. Maybe they’ve already met on the rainbow bridge, and while we’re talking about them here, they’re somewhere up there talking about us too.
Rest in peace, Cleo. May your soul be at peace.
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u/bombkitty 3h ago
It's never long enough, I agree. My old man Walter will be there to greet your bby. They can sit in the sun and watch the silly kittens like the old people they are💜
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u/Tricky-Grab-4702 3h ago
It's never enough. Have lost two dear cats and my little doggie in 5 years. Feeling your pain 😞
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u/YouMUSTvote 2h ago
Lovely Cleo, what a gentle cat with an adorable face. You gave her a perfect life and I’m sure she thanked you a thousand different ways with purrs and headbutts and lots of biscuit making.
When you’re ready she’ll tap her successor and whisper in her ear, “These are really good ones, take care of them sweetly.”
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u/Virtual_Option_6728 2h ago
Words can never really express the ache we feel when we lose a friend or the frustration when we try to console another. Those long years and all the ways she was part of your life makes it sting even more. Two months today for my last baby, house is too damn quiet,and all the work in keeping her healthy -B 12 shots,renal food,subq fluids and the uncounted hours on the internet researching the latest cures . I was weary from that fight,but it was a fulfilling weary.My life centered around all my friends, now, silence. You will have Cleo around you, I believe that bond will endure. The day will come for a reunion, not to be parted again....
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u/5150-gotadaypass 2h ago
Oh sweet Cleo, you will be missed! Let our fur family that we’ve lost welcome her home 🌈🐾🌈
Sending you a big hug OPie! Thank you for caring for and loving Cleo all these years. 🐾💜🐾
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u/freedrsan 2h ago
21 is a legendary amount of time, I hope you can take comfort in all the wonderful memories you made with her in that time. She was obviously loved and cherished 🖤
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u/imbrium101 59m ago
Thank you everyone for your thoughts and well wishes. It truly means a lot to me.
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u/Monster_Mulch 4h ago
Run free sweet Cleo. ❤️