Precious - Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021

Precious was the peacemaker, the considerate one. Whether dealing with Chad's bullying or Toes' crotchety-ness or her litter-mate's epilepsy or Princess' and Taylor's jealousy or Minnie's bouncy energy, she was the soother, the companion, the comforter, the friend -- or she would just ignore if they were not receptive at that moment. She wasn't great buddies with any of them, but she was soother to all. She had lost a lot of her chubby self over the past year or so. Of course, blood tests were "normal". We knew she had given up a week or so ago when she decided to not eat and not drink any longer. I've been able to keep her going for a while with lots of special foods, coaxing, and an appetite stimulant prescription ear goo, but she was tired. She will "lie in state" in the family room for a bit, so the rest can see understand what's happened. She'll be buried later today, up on the tree line near those who went before.

Precious died about 7:45 this morning. She thoughtfully timed it so I had time to get up & take care of bathroom necessities before she started yowling about 6:30 a.m. Following the sound, I managed to find and get her out from under the bed. She was very weak, and I think confused. She seemed to calm a bit and shifted her legs so she was back in a sphinx position. Meanwhile, the dogs are antsy -- why haven't I let them out yet, they gotta go! I quickly threw on clothes and let them out, grabbed a cup of coffee, and went back to the bedroom. I talked with Precious, gently stroking her cheeks. She purred. She's enjoyed that stroke since she was a baby. I needed to attend to the rest of them (dogs in, biscuits, feed cats, check Precious, dose Taylor, dogs out/in again...) mostly the usual morning stuff, before I could continue attempting to comfort Precious (now on her side). We made it to full sunrise. She was not alone, not in pain, not suffering. I believe Precious actually died before her physical body contorted in a couple final convulsions just after the sun rose. She knew she was loved, and that she will be missed. 

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