Saturday 18 July 2015

Still Going Strong

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We're well into borrowed time, now, and Sofia is doing marvellously. Bright eyes, glossy coat, her usual nosey, chirpy self.

I don't want to give anyone false hope. Sofie has an incurable cancer which could end her life any day now, and we are not pursuing any kind of treatment plan for her. It won't be long. There's a few symptoms starting up now that signal a progression in her illness- slight loss of weight, slight awkwardness bending down to eat. I've ordered raised dishes from Amazon (which should have arrived by now, grr!) which should ease things a bit. But for now, she's enjoying a life of much love, play and treats several times a day and, as far as I can tell, not in significant discomfort.

The issue I have now, is knowing when will be the right time to say goodbye. Sofia and Ava were my first cats, and Sofia is the first to go. I've brought lots of kittens into the world, and several haven't made it, but this is the first time I've had to choose when to say goodbye to an older cat. People tell me I'll know, but... and yes, I know we had Polly-kitten, and later on Paisley and Tattersall from Lucy's litter, but in all three cases it was obvious the kittens couldn't possibly have lived, and were almost certainly suffering.  Euthanasia, and as soon as possible, was the only humane option. But for Sofia?  She's enjoying life right now. I don't want to deprive her of her remaining good days, but I hope I realise it at the point when things change.