The last thing I expected when I posted this last week was to be writing this post today. We said goodbye to Brutus yesterday, our last furry boy.
It seemed even harder this time, but it was more peaceful than with Mickey. It was harder because Brutus didn’t appear to be suffering. But I think he might have been hurting more than we knew.
How we got here
I mentioned last week that he wasn’t eating well. We took him to the vet on Tuesday and his blood work showed elevated kidney levels, which had never appeared before. She wasn’t too optimistic but we decided to try anti-nausea medication (which is probably why he wasn’t eating) and an appetite stimulant She gave him a shot of the anti-nausea medicine before we left. He ate very well that night, so we were hopeful.
If you recall in last week’s post, I mentioned at his May checkup, Brutus was considered very healthy for a cat his age. So, how could this happen so quickly?
A couple of things. First, it was possibly an effect from the anesthesia he had in June for the tooth removal. Second, it can take a while for kidney failure to manifest itself and by the time it’s discovered, it’s too late. The damage cannot be reversed.
Things took a turn for the worse Wednesday night (he may have been reacting to the anti-nausea pill we gave him) and we rushed him to the pet hospital. They took blood tests and x-rays and found his left kidney was non-functional and his right was barely working. Given that, I’m surprised he wasn’t showing more signs of weakness.
Brutus always was a tough guy.
They kept him overnight at the hospital so they could give him fluids and do an ultrasound to confirm the kidney issues as well as check to see if he had any tumors. It only confirmed what we’d already heard and the doctor indicated it would affect his quality of life.
Tough decision
After what we went through with Mickey, we did not want to see Brutus suffer. Tim and I had talked and we’d already decided what to do. But it was so painful because he didn’t seem that bad. I guess cats are good at hiding how they feel.
I didn’t want to leave Brutus there all day alone, knowing how much he doesn’t like going to the vet, so I’d planned to at least visit him. They had a fabric cone on his head, which he hated of course, and he was very glad to see me. Tim had the great idea of bringing him home for the day, so I did. I am SO glad I did that.
We were able to have one last nice day together. He only left my lap to drink or to go to the litter box. I know he was happier being at home. And I was able to take lots of pictures.
Losing Mickey was hard but losing Brutus was worse. He was losing weight quickly but other than that, he seemed OK. Now we have an empty house and no one for me to talk to during the day.
Brutus was also Tim’s buddy and I know this is even harder for him. We each had our routines with him and it’s tough now that he isn’t here.
Brutus also spent more time with us than Mickey did. He was definitely a lap cat and if possible, was always on one of our laps. He provided endless entertainment and made us laugh all the time. He had to be in the middle of everything.
We’re doing the same with him as we did with Mickey and having his ashes returned to us. They’ll also do an impression of his paw print in clay. We bought an extra box for the ashes when we got Mickey’s so it’s just a matter of picking out a picture for the front.
Mickey’s on our upstairs fireplace mantel. While I’d like them to be together, I think Brutie would prefer the downstairs mantel because it’s where he laid by the fireplace all winter.
I can’t stress enough how glad I am I had yesterday with him. It was all I could do not to hug him constantly. I don’t know how many times I told him I loved him. I know he loved me too.
At the end, he laid on the couch between Tim and me. It’s almost as if he knew what was coming. He was calm and peaceful. The only way I knew he was gone was as his usually warm body began to feel cold.
I’ve only had three pets in my life – one dog and now two cats. All of their deaths were painful. We’ve already made the decision not to get another cat. At least our concerns about going away for the winter are gone.
But right now, I’d rather have Brutus on my lap and be here all winter.
Here’s a pictorial tribute to Brutie. I hope it makes you smile. I know, there are a lot of pictures. He had so much personality and this is the best way for me to tell you about him.
Brutus the lap cat
My lap – our morning routine 
Tim’s lap My lap My lap Kind of on my lap – love the nonchalant pose So tired His last day – Tim’s lap His last day – my lap
Brutus playing
Last day – with his favorite toy, Pinky Brutie and Pinky Brutie and Pinky 
Playing with a stuffed pumpkin In laundry basket jail
Doing goofy things
Laying in wrapping paper Naughty – climbing on the table Licking frost off the window Laying in bedding on laundry day Helping with Christmas decorating Working on the laptop It’s a box – I need to lay in it It’s my box!! Loved licking fudge bar sticks His last fudge bar lick
Keeping warm
Next to space heater My Studio furnace vent Bathroom furnace vent Laying under fireplace
Just being Brutus
Under the table Last day with Tim Last day Last day His “3:00 spot” His “3:00 spot” Relaxing on our bed Snooping in my studio Caught being naughty Jump!!! Balance beam Oooh, feel that sun Comfy Didn’t you put this here for me? I can sleep anywhere Laundry helper More laundry help My cute boy
So glad you had him at home his last day. He was an awesome cat!
Yes he was. I miss him like crazy. We spent a lot of time together.
Oh my, I am so very sorry. He was a beautiful cat and you are blessed you are to have that last day with him. I think most animals are pretty stoic and don’t show their pain as much as we humans do.
One animal will never take the place of another, but I would be completely lost without one. I live alone so my 3 (2 cats and a dog) are a great comfort and company for me.
They sure do squeeze into our hearts. What great pictures and memories you have.
Grace & Peace,Iris
http://www.IrisOriginalsRamblings.com
Thank you Iris. I will always cherish our last day together. I miss him so much. The last few days have been rough but I know it will get a little easier each day.
I’ve been catching up on your blog posts and was starting to comment on your first post about Brutus when I saw the Tribute to Brutus entry. 😪😪😪 My heart hurts.
I know. It’s been SO hard for us. He was such a big part of our lives and all of a sudden, he’s gone. Pretty quiet around here. He was a big talker. Thanks Trudy.
Aren’t you so glad to be retired so you could spend so much time with Brutus? What a lucky kitty to be so well loved by you and Tim. I’m so sorry, Linda.
I was just thinking that this morning. What would I have done if I were working? I’m sad that Tim didn’t get the same last day with him. I’m especially glad Brutus didn’t have to spend his last day in a cold hospital. The people there are wonderful but it’s no comparison to being home. Thanks so much. ❤️
I’m truly sorry for the loss of Brutus. It’s so hard to lose these little furry friends. We had a cat named Bruno. We had to euthanize him a few years ago. We still get teary eyed whenever we talk about him, but we also laugh at the memories. Dale says cats are cat food-powered entertainment centers.
I like that description of cats!! Brutus was the center of everything. I have a feeling we’ll be like you are with Bruno. I know we’ll laugh and cry. Thanks Donna.
I am tearing up – know the pain of this! but what a life you gave him and in return he was a faithful friend to the end. they make our life full.
Love the picture against the fireplace stone, getting every bit of warmth possible 🙂
Me too!! I can’t talk about him right now without crying. Good thing I don’t have anything going on the next few days. I know I’ll be fine eventually. I was with Mickey. But right now, it’s still too new. He was a character, that’s for sure.
Our pets are our family. So sorry Brutus went so quickly after Mickey. So glad you had him at home that last day.
Thanks Nancy. Yes, I thought we’d have Brutus around a lot longer. We had no idea this was coming. I will remember our day at home forever.
What a gift to have had that last day. Pets are so special…I am sorry for your loss of Brutus.
It was definitely a gift that I will cherish forever. We had a great day. He was feeling fine and peaceful so it was much easier for him later. I couldn’t have handled it if he’d been at the pet hospital all day, although he was less agitated than he was the night before. Thanks for your kind words.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I can totally relate to your pain. All my fur babies are buried in the back yard under the trees and after so many years, I still feel the sting of heartache every now and then. Brutus was very loved.
Sending you and Tim peace and love.
Thank you so much. We haven’t buried him but we did have his ashes returned to us. He, along with Mickey, is on our fireplace mantel. We can see them every day. It’s still hard for me to believe he’s gone.
So sorry for the loss of your beloved Brutus.
Pets give us so much, ask for so little, and are gone far too quick.
Deb
Thank you so much. It’s going to be so lonely around here for a while.