Junko, calico kitten

It is hard to watch them decline. He will let you know when he is ready to go.

GK was that way with food towards the end. He ate some days and not others. We found that mixing his wet food with unsalted chicken broth helped. I think the chicken broth gave him some nourishment even if he didn't want to eat.

Last night, I decided to quit giving Jack his thyroid medicine. His body seems to be shutting down and medicine isn't helping anymore. It's sad to see Jack go through this. He gets grass since he begs for it.

I'm so sorry. It is hard to see them slide away. We're thinking of you both and here with shoulders ready.

Thyroid tumor has gotten bigger. Tortie and Junko has been staying near Jack for the past few weeks. They know something is wrong with Jack. I know it's possible they know know Jack is dying. Jack and Junko always behaved like they were litter mates, even though they're not. Jack and Tortie are almost 19 and Junko is 7.

I am sure they do know. Mouski stayed close to GK at the end. I think it was both for comfort and protection. When Shadow went outside for the last time, GK and Gateway stayed right next to her to make sure she was ok. It was heartbreaking and sweet.

I hope Jack stays comfortable and is able to enjoy some gentle pets for a little while longer.

Jack got into bed this morning to give me a wake up call to feed him. Of course I fed him.

I got my caddy to go outside twice to get grass. I even got him to give me treats.

Jack

You go, Jack! You get whatever you want. Your peoples understand that you do not feel well very often, and when you do you should get what you ask for.

Mouski's meowmy

My caddy normally refuses to get me grass. He thinks it's my mama's job. I showed him a few things.

Jack

Good job, Jack! You'll have him all trained in no time.

I have trained my caddy long time ago to let me get lap time with him.

Jack

Tortie will get stabbed next Monday. She will also get her blood stolen too for being old.

Junko

Rolling eyes about that. Tortie will get her blood levels checked. Life with a calico and a tortoiseshell.

I am supposed to get my blood stolen for that soon too. I am not looking forward to it. I am NOT old.

Winnie

Winnie, I didn't get stabbed today.  I was suppose to and I hid when I heard my caddy making loud sounds in the garage.  Jack went instead.  He crossed the Bridge.

Tortie.

I have lost count how many years I have fed the cats two cans of food each day.  I divided one little can three way twice a day.  Jack liked everything I gave him.  I never kept track what Tortie and Junko snubbed.  Whatever Tortie and Junko snubbed, Jack ate it. I have some little cans left and decided to feed Junko in the mornings if she begs for it.  I am hoping to wean them off the cans.  There is dry food out all day long.

Few hours ago, I felt a sense of freedom of not having Jack around. I know that sounds wrong and mean. I enjoyed and loved Jack and took good care of him. Jack wanted a lot of his needs met by me. Never mind that my parents could have met his needs. He wanted me to do it since I was his favorite and his mom. It took a lot of time each day for me to get Jack's needs met before he was happy. This is where it feels like I have a sense of freedom. I'm now not devoting a lot of time each day after work taking care of one cat's needs. Junko and Tortie were never like that with me. They don't come to me for everything. They come to me when they want something and they let me know when they are satisfied. My dad is Tortie's favorite person, so that might help Tortie to grieve. Junko is grieving too, she hasn't been demanding extra from me. Junko always made sure I spend time with her. Tortie and Junko do go to my parents too. For the past few years, I have been spending the weekends with a friend from work. Of course, Jack would wait for me to come home then too and I took the time to settle Jack down before I could do anything. I know this is lengthy, but a lot of it I didn't want plastered all over social media.

I totally get that. It's like grieving with a sense of relief. I think that is one of the stages, really. I have felt exactly that with each horse I've lost. I'm sure it is always the same with cats and dogs too. I know it was that way with GK. He sounds a lot like Jack. I loved him dearly, but he was a lot of work in his later years.

Jack was always a lot of work. It took a long time to get Jack to settle down whenever I got home. Tortie is a lot of work too and she is my dad's girl.

I make my hooman spend more time with me. I am still spending nights in her room. My bed got moved to her room after I was caught sleeping more in there. I adjusted to my bed being relocated. My hooman doesn't mind. She told me that Jack took good care me. She also told me Jack took care of her too and he made sure she took care of him. I am making sure she spends more time with me. It sad that Jack is gone, but I still want to know I am loved and wanted. My hoomans have been taking care of me my whole life.

Junko

Oh Junko! Your hoomans do love you and want you. They are just a bit sad that Jack is gone. They do not adjust as well as kitties do.

Mouski and Winnie

I have been spending time in my caddy's chair. He thinks I share. I show him when I get out of the chair when he sits down. My caddy is suppose to share with me. Most of the time I get left alone in the chair. I still get love and attention. I been told that Jack took good care of me. I know Jack got taken care of too.

Junko

It will take a while to sort things to the new order, but you are doing a great job, Junko. A sacred chair is something almost all hoomans respect.

Mouski's meowmy

I still get extra treats. My hooman quit giving us a second feeding. We get fed in the mornings. I still give wake up calls. My caddy lets me have his chair when has chores to do. It's better when I can spend the night in his chair.

Junko

I do that too, Junko. I get in my meowmy's chair and I sleep all night. Sometimes I have to get up for a snack or to go potty, but usually I stay there. Chairs are the best.

Winnie

Especially when the chair is big enough to stretch out in it.

Junko