This is a sad post. We lost our beloved cat and esteemed member of our little family, Rocky Diego Cat last night. He was nearly 17. Sudden inability to breathe, 2am visit to emergency vet. Did tests. Chest full of fluid. They put him in an oxygenated cage. He seemed comfortable when we left. It was the last time I saw him, peering at me across the room.
Next day we talked to them. They had determined it was pneumonia and were treating with antibiotics. During the night he had what they called a circulatory collapse. I am sorry I didn’t go visit him yesterday when I had a chance. He had been alone and away from people he knew. Anyway he has passed to the rainbow bridge. After 17 years it leaves a big hole in your heart.
He and his brother shared all our adventures to cross an ocean and move twice. But they were troopers.
You may wonder about his name. When we got him they called him Diego after Diego the explorer. He wanted to be “involved” in everything. We renamed him Rocky, but kept the Diego. He was the most curious of all cats and always wanted to be in the middle of any things going on in the house. He loved to “help”. We called him the Great White Cat or the Gentle Giant. He had the biggest, loudest purr of any of our cats. When he was young, he was magnificent. Never hurt a fly. One of a kind, he was. Here are a few photos.
In this one he was older but still pretty.
Diego the explorer. Note the front feet. He had to “help” with the stufa cleaning.
He especially loved jigsaw puzzles. He liked to be right in the middle of the action.
Goofy cat!
Goodbye Mr. Rock Star. You were a fine cat. May you rest in peace. I will meet my Rocket Man in the stars like the Rock Star he was. ⭐️ 🌈
Hi Carlo. I know you do. All us pet owners and lovers have lost them and felt this pain. Sure hurts though. Time heals as they say. Thanks for the note.
Thank you Marjorie
Nancy, we are so sorry to hear about Rocky. We remember those feelings all too well ourselves. All the best to you, Luther, and Simba.
So sorry for your loss. Our pets leave their pawprints on our hearts.
Marjorie
Louann, that was beautiful. Every bit of it was true. He was loved. It does hurt. From past experience the pain will lessen with time. Right now I see him everywhere in the house and on the terrace. Sigh. He will always be a part of this apartment and our lives and in our memories. Thank you.
So many, many times in our lives we seem to have to say goodbye to our beloved animals! So loyal and accepting and entertaining. My heart goes out to you! Only time can help reduce the grief. He was loved and cared for and that’s what counts😢😭He had the best.
Hi Royane. It’s very painful when they leave us. He did look at me but I was happy he was no longer in distress in his oxygen cage. At least it didn’t last long. I hope he wasn’t in pain. I do wish I had gone to see him yesterday. Ah well. We didn’t know. The 5am phone call this morning told me all I needed to know without even hearing what they had to say 😞 thank you for sending this note.
Thank you James and I’m sorry to hear about your health issues. I hope Silvio helps you get well soon! Thank you for the nice words. It just hurts so damn much when they go. But Almost 17 years of love was worth the hurt, I think. Take care.
Thanks Liz. And thank you for caring for him and loving him too. It hurts physically to lose him. One of a kind.
Wendy, thank you so much for commenting. He was certainly one of a kind. I won’t forget the day I came into the stairwell way down in the basement (5 floors down) and there sat Rocky on the steps meowing at me. The workmen had let him out. It wasn’t the first time. I’ll miss him terribly.
Thanks Leah. Hurts like hell. There will never be another Rocky. Simba, the little dork, hasn’t noticed. 😉
Anita 💕💕
OMG!!! cried a bit when I read he looked at you on your way out. I am still seeing that. Our dear beloved beasts. We can’t help having them in our lives, but jeeze so painful when they leave us.
Ciao Nancy and Luther, we’re really sorry to hear about Rocky. He certainly was a beautiful boy. We know how much cats enrich our lives. Lately, I’ve been having some health issues and I have a sense that our last remaining cat, Silvio, knows something’s up. He’s been very affectionate and hangs out with me when I’m not feeling well. Over the years we’ve had a total of 7 cats: Kitty Kat, Quincy Jones, Patches, Miss Mew, Sweetie PIe (he was mistaken as a female), Cordelia, who died almost two years ago (16 years old) and Silvio. He’s 15. Here’s wishing you peace and a lot of good memories of your great cat!!!!
I am almost too sad to write. I know it is so difficult to say goodbye to a good friend. Funny thing is that Mark texted me a couple of days ago with a picture of me on your balcony with Rocky sleeping by my feet. We have lots of memories of the boyz and we talk about them often. Our thoughts are with you. Sending hugs.
Rocky Diego!… what a magnificent boy he was!
And sounds like he was a perfect match for your family with his adventurous curious ways. It’s the hardest of losses and I send gentle healing to you and Luther.
Oh Nancy, I’m so sorry to hear this! Rocky was certainly a special guy, and I know you and Luther ( and Simba) will miss him terribly. I know you were braced for this event, but it’s never easy. Hugs to you .
What a beautiful kitkat. You can see his big personality coming through the photos.
Oh thank you so much Barbara. He will be sorely missed. My big boy.
Thank you so much Rose
Hi Gail, it sure is tuff. It hurts my core. I hope Angus gets past it. Cats don’t seem to bond like dogs so I haven’t noticed much with Simba. He may seem to be searching for something. But that could just be me, imagining. Thank you.
Senter and Marie, That is such a nice thought. If there is a heaven, I do hope they are all there. There are quite a few I wish to see again 🙏🏼💔🌈
Thank you Matt. It really hurts my heart. Loss is so strange. You’d never think you would physically hurt. But you do, time heals all wounds they say.
I am so sorry. What a beautiful friend he was to you all. Hugs from Virginia.
So sorry for the loss of your beautiful cat Diego 😞
So dorry to hear of uour beloved pet’s passing. We lost one of our schnauzer’s Baxter last once, he suddenly has a stroke and 2 days later he passed away. Our other schnauzer Angus is mourning and not doing well but hopefully he turns around and pulls out out of the sadness. Always a tuff situation all around🌼
Heaven is all the animals you ever had ….
Oh, Nancy, this breaks my heart. As a fellow cat lover I share your grief. Wishing you and Luther peace and healing.
Thank you Sandi, thank you for the sit and that you loved him too. He was a good boy, very easy going. Nothing really phased him. He will be sorely missed and it’s going to take time to get over our loss. All the best to you and Mark. Nancy
Nancy and Luther,
We are so sad for you. We remember Rocky well since we housesat for you guys some years ago. A similar thing happened to us and our own Rocky died while we were in the US for Christmas. He was with a trusted friend but I have always felt a nagging guilt that we weren’t there at the time. However, know that he had a wonderful life and that he was very loved. And he knew it.
Best, Sandi and Mark
Thank you John. Our cats are our children as we don’t have human ones. The do give is a lot of love. But the hurt really hurts when they leave us.
Thanks Rose Marie! Means a lot. We have lost many in our lives too. You always know the hurt you’ll feel, but the love you receive makes it worth it.
So sorry to hear this. They are the dearest of friends. Deepest condolences.
I know your pain. Lost many good pet friends. Take care and time to heal. He lived a good long life. Thank you for your blog posts. I read them all!