[Dailydrool] A Basset buddy good-bye...

[njmedic702 at aol.com]

Our Bart kitty, a friend and "let's chase the cat" buddy of Delilah Belle and Dozer, was diagnosed with a malignant oral tumor a couple of months ago.  There is no real treatment for them; just a "wait and see" how each animal does.  Bartie was holding his own fairly well until a couple of weeks ago when I noticed that he had lost more weight and was doing a lot more blood-tinged drooling.  A couple of days ago I could see that his fur was no longer sleek or shiny and the tumor was grossly obvious now, making him look almost like he had kitty mumps.  Yesterday morning he had difficulty managing his soft, canned food and I also noticed that his tongue was protruding slightly as if it didn't quite fit in his closed mouth any more.  He came into the office and plunked down on my desk for a bit for some pets then allowed me to place him on the leather chair cushion behind me.  Usually when he would join me in the office he'd purr up a storm but yesterday he only hinted at it.  I picked him up and stroked him and told him I had gotten his message...that it was time to go to the Rainbow Bridge.  So, I called our vet's office and yesterday afternoon we lovingly sent him on his journey.  To say that we are heartbroken is an understatement.  


Bartie was one of a kind.  In his prime he was a big, muscular guy who walked with a tough-guy kitty swagger but adored being held and/or petted and sharing a bit of bagel and cream cheese or other people food.  When we had to board him a year ago, the boarding facility adopted him as their short-term resident mascot, never caging him but allowing him to wander around the office and hang out with the staff.  They fell in love with him and were sorry to see us come and retrieve him.  Although we didn't encourage him to go outdoors, he enjoyed walking the dogs with me, following along behind or running ahead, just enjoying our company.  He had a penchant for wandering to various neighbors and yowling for food from time to time, even if they didn't have any cats of their own.  When he did this, they would just say "Bart's visiting again" or carry him back home.  In some ways, he was a bit dog-like.  He would often hop up and lay down on my chest and knead me with his paws if I was lying on the couch, watching TV.   I will miss his warm, soft body.  I will also miss his "conversations" after being out of the house on errands.   



Sometimes I swear I can still see him out of the corner of my eye, walking through the house or on the top step of the basement stairs, waiting to come into the kitchen if he chose to sleep in the basement the night before.  I know his physical presence is no longer with us...but know his special spirit lingers on.  When our hearts have had a bit of time to heal, I know he'll have a paw in  finding us another furry feline friend to share our home..  Until then, rest in peace, Big Guy.  You were well and truly loved...
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