Life with My Cat 🐱

Happiness and Unconditional Love

Mr. Sully entered my life in 2002. My sister’s cat had a litter of kittens, and I was grieving over Smokey’s tragedy (former kitten). Smokey’s life was taken by one of my two Siberian Huskies.

Sully was adorable. His fur was fluffy, and he had a face that could melt your heart. We bonded instantly and became lifelong friends.

Sully was a faithful cat. When I worked on my computer, he would find a nice spot and nap while attending to my tasks. He would cuddle at night and watch over me while I slept. He was my spirit cat.

Sully was mischievous humorous, and enjoyed tormenting the huskies. He had a lot of energy and was constantly on the go between his naps.

He got himself in trouble from time to time. One time, he escaped outdoors after we moved to a new house. He went missing for four months during the bitter cold season. I never gave up looking for him. I finally trapped him in my garage when I suspected that he might be lurking in the area. He was confused and vaguely remembered who I was. I don’t know if someone took him in or if he got trapped. It took him an hour to shift from his bewildered, wild mode to the Sully I always knew.

I considered him my good luck cat. He was there through times in my life when I was successful and when I failed. He reassured me that I was loved no matter how bad things got. My life was difficult, and I was facing a lot of challenges.

I became dependent on him emotionally and psychologically. I constantly worried about him and fretted the day he would have to leave me.

After fifteen years of adventures, Sully’s health began to deteriorate. He started losing weight and eating less. I took him in, and his liver was failing him, along with other health issues. I tried to nurse him back to health, mixing his food or serving him fresh meals. He only did better when they put him on steroids.

He constantly slept, couldn’t remember where his cat box was, and often hid. Cats that hide when they are sick demonstrate survival mode. They hide to protect themselves from predators. I knew this was a sign that he was no longer feeling strong enough to continue. He knew his time was coming to an end.

My life was chaotic, and I was not ready for him to go. I need him emotionally and spiritually. I cried myself to sleep every night, praying for a miracle.

Despite my pain and struggles with his health, he continued to stay near me, providing comfort, head bumps, rubs, and assuring me it would be alright. I think he knew I was hurting, grieving, and my heart was breaking. He followed me to the door as I left for the day and greeted me when I returned. He never failed me once to be there, and his love was unconditional.

One day I came home, and I found him in his usual spot under my desk. This time, he didn’t greet me at the door. He would struggle to get up, and it was clear he was not enjoying life like he once did. I didn’t want him suffering and living the last moment of his life being weak and miserable. I accepted the fact that we tried everything possible to improve his health. It was just his time.

I promised him that we would spend the next two weeks enjoying life, taking walks, and allowing him to explore his world for the last time. Every day, I helped him follow me with my morning routines. I kissed him goodbye before I left.

Every day, I spent every moment with him until bedtime. I took him for walks in the pet stroller so he could enjoy the fresh fall air. Occasionally, I allowed him to explore freely out of the stroller. We hung out in the backyard as he looked at the sky or watched the birds.

We could cuddle on the couch and enjoy each other’s company. Every day, I could see the smile on his face despite the pain he was experiencing.

The day finally came; it would be the last time I would hold him. It was the last day he would walk me through my morning routine. I prepared a beautiful box for him.

Mr. Sully died on December 21, 2017. It has been over a year, and I still cry for him from time to time. After he died, a part of me just shut down, and honestly, I just felt so sad, lost, and empty without him. Let’s say 2018 was not my best year, and it was the hardest year ever.

Happiness isn’t only about having a family, being a mom, a successful career, or a perfect life. Happiness is accepting that your life is what it is and you are making the best of it. I don’t think Sully ever complained, and he was always happy. The fact that he loved me so much makes me grateful he was part of my life. I miss him, and someday we will meet again. When that time comes, I will see nothing but happiness.

Register to subscribe and get email notices for discussions and comments.