MurrMan

Yes, I know I haven't written in like forever, but the chaos at my house has been steady and ongoing. After reeling from the loss of Max, the house was oddly readjusting. Murray, my orange fur child started his decline. I figured we would have a few months with him. He was showing his age and I was okay with that, cuz I am showing mine as well! The other cats were filling in the void the best they knew how but we were still off kilter somehow.

When I moved into the Quonset hut I refused to so all alone. I moved in on Halloween and spent the entire month moving my junk in my new home. Brendan and I weren't engaged just dating. The hut had been empty for 7 months and mice had relocated inside. I wanted a mouse cat so off to the shelter we went. All the black or black and white kittens were placed on hold due to the fact that kids adopt the cats and torture them on Halloween. Brendan saw this orange and white kitten who kept reaching thru the bars and was a total purr box. Seeing the two of them together I knew he was going home with me even before I ever held him. I took him to the groomers as he had fleas. I spent my first night with Murray (I picked out the name before I picked out the cat!) sleeping on my face! He was my companion and he got jealous of Brendan when he came over. Hence, we went hunting for Max. Murray was my love bug. He had a bladder infection and almost died. We spent $800 trying to save him. We even had to doctor him at home with a bag filled with solution to flush the infection out of him. The first time I had to stick the needle in between his shoulder blades I actually almost fainted. I consider myself pretty tough but I really thought I was going to hit the floor. Poor Brendan was trying to help me and hold the sick cat! Quite a sight I can tell you.

Flash forward 16 years and I have this poor fur ball that is skin and bones but still very very furry. We tried feeding him wet food to keep his weight up. We ended up feeding him with a syringe. At first he tolerated it and finally he waited until we were done and then threw up. I knew the end was coming and I couldn't believe that I was going to have to play God again and sign my critter to death. Brendan and I decided that Thursday July 3 he would take him to the vet knowing very well he wouldn't return home. I spent part of Wednesday night just talking to him and I told him it was OK if he wanted to go over the rainbow bridge and join up with Max. On Thursday morning he was pretty much in the same spot and again I promised that I wouldn't be mad if he had to go. I held it together until about 2 PM when I called the vet to see if she would be there for Brendan to take him in. I really wasn't going to go. When she heard that it was Murray she knew and I began to cry. I sat and cried and after a wonderful comfort session with Amy I knew I had to do the right thing. God spoke to me and said I needed to be there for Murray not for me. I headed home and when I got there I found him on the floor very still. He needed to be with Max, so over the rainbow bridge he went. I was sad but oh so very relieved. I wrapped him in a towel and talked to him and pet his soft fur. I called Amy to tell her the news and I felt such a rush of relief that he went on his terms, in his home, surrounded by what he knew and loved. I think he passed away that morning because he was quite stiff. I waited for Brendan and I carried him like a baby to the vet and again I knew they would freeze him because I wanted him cremated so he can come home and be with Max and a family that loved him. Now he gets all the chicken he wants because it was his favorite, right along with Wendy's french fries. Bon Appetite my beautiful MurrMan. Mommy misses you! XXOOXX