THE STORY OF MUFFIN (AND A YEAR AND CHANGE SINCE NAIROBI DIED)

Hi all,

I am writing today because I'm thinking of Nairobi due to a cat named, Muffin, that is dying of kidney failure. My husband's buddy on the beach (a single guy and his cat) is Muffin's companion. About 2 months ago, my husband started going over twice a day to help feed her liquid food from a syringe. The owner holds her on his lap while Seth opens her mouth and feeds her. Sometimes she wants to eat, but sometimes she fights it. They also have to hydrate her by using a small needle to administer fluids. He was paying for this at the vet as he didn't feel comfortable performing the deed, so Seth agreed to help him. This guy is the most loving companion to Muffin. He always bought her expensive cat food from the vet, toys, and regular vet visits to ensure her good health.

To see him going through this is very difficult for me as I have always been a cat lover, and I know how it feels to lose one. Nairobi isn't the first cat that I've lost, but he is the first one that I blogged about. I had a calico, named Cali (typical) in my teens who I still mourn as I have no idea how she died after having her for 8 years, she just disappeared.

Getting back to Muffin, my husband said that she didn't seem okay today. He could hear her strained breathing, and she didn't try to fight or attempt to eat. This news upset me to tears, as I've grown to love Muffin. She's a beautiful caramel spotted, white tabby with chestnut eyes. She has the sweetest temperament too. She's very loving and friendly. The vet told Phillip that she was kind of old.

Someone on YouTube asked, "Why do people love dogs more than other humans?" I think if we were to change "dogs" to "animals", the answer for me is that my animals seem to love me truly unconditionally. To me, they don't do things (as humans do) to deserve punishment or harm. I guess I have "human guilt" (like "white guilt"...I just coined a term). The anthropogenic influence on the world has encroached on the lives of other organisms' habitats in a way that seems to be unbalanced-as in we don't live in harmony with the animal and plant life in our surroundings. We're kind of greedy to the point of depletion. So, I guess I enjoy keeping animals in my home and treating them extremely well as a result of the guilt that I feel (all of my pets are rescues). I also feel that my relationships with the pets that I still have (and the ones that have died) are a source of enrichment in my life.

Please feel free to post comments, pics or share your stories.