In Memory of Tiger

It's Wednesday, September 7th, 2016. One week ago I took the most difficult decision of my life; ending one. The pain of losing a friend is never easy, but nothing in life ever prepares you to decide when you have to part ways. Tonight I felt a completely new spectrum of sadness, and I wish I had known back when people shared such sad news so that I could have been more supportive. I'm truly sorry.

Here's the story of my old buddy, Tiger.

Tiger and I have been friends for a bit more than 10 years. I remember the first day I met him. He was 3 and had just went through a most traumatizing experience. Back in 2006 my mom's recently divorced friend asked me if I could adopt him as her ex-husband committed suicide and she wouldn't be able to take care of him due to her new boyfriend's severe allergies. I could feel the distress in her voice as she explained to me Tiger had been stuck with a lifeless body for several days. She loved him so much and wouldn't let that event get in the way of getting this cuddly tabby a chance at a fulfilling life in the hands of a caring family. Being on my own I couldn't say I was much of a family but I had plenty of love to give to this adorable fella to make up for it.

It took him a few days to get comfortable with me. Once he figured out I was the new chef, provider of free massage and around the clock janitor, I was in his heart. Cats are pretty good at taking you for granted when you live on their schedule, but this one wouldn't cheap out on giving back. My handsome friend had some serious feline cuddling skills. I never felt completely alone as long as he was around.

I will doubtfully ever meet another cat that gives bigger and sneakier headbutts nor could adapt so well to my erratic sleeping schedule. There was no way around it; if the bedroom door was opened, the second after I'd get in bed my bud would quit whatever he was up to and make himself comfy inside my arm. Come the morning he would seldom harass me out of dreamland. He'd wait for me to be fully awake before leading the way to his food bowl. What a champ.

Tiger was always there to cheer me up in the darkest moments to the best of his abilities, including my mom's passing. Given the circumstances in which we've met he had also become a living memento, making this 'eulogy' extra hard for me to write.

Tiger loved...

To headbutt every surface or human limbs in his vicinity. Nothing left un-butted!
Belly rubs. I kid you not. Those scars are from other cats...
Heavy metal. He had no choice to pick the music but he always felt comfortable sleeping as close as possible to the sound system.
To chill with his crew on the patio. My pal had some serious street cred with the neighborhood cats.
To follow me almost all the way to the closest corner store. On the sidewalk.

Tiger disliked...

Sneezes. No matter how calm and comfortable, my allergies would always scare him off. Even during head scratchies time.
Bugs. I guess it's more like indifference but I've never seen a cat so neutral towards insects. He was a very poor hunter.
When I spent too much time on the computer. Once in a while he'd come check on me, tap me on the arm and respectfully beg for attention.
Anybody who wouldn't give fall for his incredible feline charms.

Fast forward to October 2015. Tiger started getting sick. He wouldn't keep his food down, causing him to lose too much weight (and he was already lean, being a part time backyard explorer on a vet diet) and turned my apartment into the largest litter box in town. It wasn't his first trip at the vet for something serious, the previous time for a swallowed rock (I never said he was the smartest...) but this time it wouldn't be an easy fix. After a few nights in observation and countless tests we couldn't get a diagnostic. We went back home with Cortisone and Metronidazole hoping it would help his digestion and apparent pain. It worked for a little while but being a temporary solution, symptoms started coming back one by one in the last few months and progressively got worse. It's crazy how fast it happened and how old he suddenly looked. It was time.

The problem about adopting an animal companion is that lifespan differences with humans will always creep up when you least expect it. When you're not paying attention, time flies by; one day you're playing with an energetic cat and the next you are saying your final goodbyes. The worst is having to take the decision when.

You tell yourself it's for his own good. He lived an awesome life. You tried everything in your power but couldn't save him and he knows that. He's not in pain anymore. I wish he could have told me.

Farewell...

In the past few days Tiger got access to spend every night in the bedroom as he saw fit. Yesterday we played his favorite game, "Catch the Apple TV controller". He went outside to his heart's desire. His diet changed from the boring vet food to the best delicacies Fancy Feast has to offer, canned tuna and the likes. He feasted on Turkey and cheddar in gravy as his last meal; the closest he'd ever get to poutine.

I'll forever ask myself if he could tell today was his last, that the time spent together between coming home and the vet appointment was different than usual. I will never forget him. Go hug your pet if you have one. If not, hug your friends or family. Just hug and share the love with someone, anyone...

Here he is, enjoying some well earned cuddles before his long rest. Rest in peace, my old friend.