Clara's Rainbow Bridge

Having a house full of cats (or any pets), as we know, can have its ups and downs. We always cherish the ups of being a pet owner. The unconditional love we get from our pets at the end of a rough day is all we need to feel like all is right. Clara was exceptional in that department. The love she had for us and how she showed it was enough to annoy Gene, enough for me to cuddle her more! She loved to give "facials" - they may have been rough, but they also managed to erase some stress!

A little background on Clara - she was Jasper's litter sister. Both were bottle-fed as they were found in a dumpster with no mom in sight. Early on, Clara was diagnosed with some neurological issues (a head shake that eventually went away) and a life expectancy of 3 years or so. She was always a little off with her mannerisms, interactions with the other cats, and occasionally got lost in a room. But we loved her nonetheless. She didn't deal with any BS from the other cats - never hesitating to hiss or throw down a few paw hits.

While she loved both Gene and me, she clearly loved one of us more. When "mom" shows up after work, she would get overexcited, ready to give a facial and hunker down for some cuddling. As much as she loved me, she never hesitated to give me a smackdown for trying to brush her or cut her nails. She was diagnosed with diabetes last year - no big deal, we are well-versed in diabetes in cats now. But she decided she was over getting her medicine each morning, and so when we tested her again, her sugars were in an "okay" range to stop the medicine fight. Yes, it's absolutely insane that a cat manages to dictate what they will put up with. Otherwise, she is as healthy as a 17-year-old cat can be.

Fast forward - we see she's lost some weight, but not enough to be overly concerned. At

some point, she decides that she is going to ruffle the feathers in the cat lounging areas. Clara was solely a 1st-floor cat - all her comforts and needs taken care of. Which is fine - Vera (who clearly loves her father more than me) dominates the 2nd floor, where she has all her comforts and needs taken care of. Clara decides she's taking over the second floor - 90% of the time, pushing Vera to be downstairs now.

The last week or so, Clara decided her time to cross the rainbow bridge was coming. She slowed down, becoming lethargic, weak, and not interested in food or water. The weakness led to muscle loss, which she didn't have a great amount of to start with. (She was truly the lazy cat - much preferring snoozing to anything else). When she walked down the stairs, her back legs must have given out, and she tumbled/slid down the last few steps. She managed to shake that off and get back upstairs to Gene's office, where she lay in front of the water bowl, not drinking. No interest in food.

I came home from one of my pet sitting jobs to check up on her and said, "I feel like it's her time. She has decided it's time; her will to keep living is gone." Crying the entire time and hurting that we are at the start of the rainbow bridge, I know for sure this is her saying it's

time when I'm able to trim all of her nails and she doesn't fight. When I sit down, she doesn't give me a facial. The next morning, we head to the vet's office. I've braced myself for the worst outcome. Dr. B does the exam and says exactly what I said: that Clara has decided it's her time. It still breaks my heart to hear it, even though I knew that's what was happening.

Clara crossed the rainbow bridge today (October 28, 2023) to join her siblings: Jasper, Peppermint, Rollie, Rudy, Pita. While our hearts are breaking at yet another rainbow bridge crossing, we are trying to find peace & solace in knowing she went on her terms with no pain or suffering.

Till our tails cross,

Melanie

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