Yesterday I said goodbye to dear Lincoln (also known as Linky, Linky Bink, Binky Boy, Bink Bonks, The Blueberry Bush, Bushy Boy, and the Link Man).
In the past two months he’d been through an awful lot, from initially being diagnosed with kidney disease to finding out just over a week ago that he also had an aggressive oral tumor, and that this was really what was stopping him from eating. By the time I let him go yesterday, he could not open his mouth and the tumor was pressing on his windpipe and causing breathing difficulties. The vet said it seemed to be growing down his throat. He was still relatively comfortable, but we knew that a lot of suffering was coming.
Lincoln absolutely hated bring poked and prodded and given medication, and was a poor candidate for anaesthesia. He had not eaten or drunk in three days. I made the decision to spare him any more. His death was peaceful and the vet was incredibly compassionate with both of us. I wanted to be brave for him but I cried my heart out through the whole thing.
Lincoln’s last night and morning were spent snuggling with me and lying in the sun. My only regret about that time (which I keep replaying) is that I had a bad dream and jerked awake at one point in the night, and startled him from where he had curled up against me. He came back after a while, but I wish I hadn’t done that.
I think Lincoln was about 14-15. He showed up as a stray with his brother Luther to my aunt’s house about 13 years ago. She adopted him, and her neighbour adopted Luther.
Lincoln was filled with love. He used to like my aunt to carry him around like a baby. Once, about ten years ago, I was house-sitting for my aunt and was talking on the phone and ignoring him. He got up on the couch behind me and bit me on the back of the head.
About eight months ago my aunt started to exhibit some strange behaviour. She lived alone and had not had anyone to visit in some time. When we went into her home, it was filthy, and she had eight cats living with her who were not using litter boxes or being properly fed. I don’t think gentle Lincoln was getting much to eat when they did get fed, because the others were younger and bigger than him.
My aunt was diagnosed with dementia. She was able to keep one cat in her new living situation, the others found homes, and I took Lincoln. For the first while he was with me, he gained a bit of weight and was playful and active.
I had him for five lovely months, and he taught me a lot about love, responsibility, and poop (which he loved to do in his carrier in the car).
Although it scared me at first, I’m so glad I learned to give him subcutaneous fluids toward the end. He always sat patiently and I talked to him quietly, and never had to hold him down. It felt like a really special time.
Before he died yesterday I thanked him for coming to live with me, told him my aunt loved him and I loved him, and held him and kissed him as he passed.
Here he is earlier this spring, feeling more like himself, with his favourite toy.
Thanks for reading and learning more about our special boy. I have really appreciated all the support from this forum over the past months.
In the past two months he’d been through an awful lot, from initially being diagnosed with kidney disease to finding out just over a week ago that he also had an aggressive oral tumor, and that this was really what was stopping him from eating. By the time I let him go yesterday, he could not open his mouth and the tumor was pressing on his windpipe and causing breathing difficulties. The vet said it seemed to be growing down his throat. He was still relatively comfortable, but we knew that a lot of suffering was coming.
Lincoln absolutely hated bring poked and prodded and given medication, and was a poor candidate for anaesthesia. He had not eaten or drunk in three days. I made the decision to spare him any more. His death was peaceful and the vet was incredibly compassionate with both of us. I wanted to be brave for him but I cried my heart out through the whole thing.
Lincoln’s last night and morning were spent snuggling with me and lying in the sun. My only regret about that time (which I keep replaying) is that I had a bad dream and jerked awake at one point in the night, and startled him from where he had curled up against me. He came back after a while, but I wish I hadn’t done that.
I think Lincoln was about 14-15. He showed up as a stray with his brother Luther to my aunt’s house about 13 years ago. She adopted him, and her neighbour adopted Luther.
Lincoln was filled with love. He used to like my aunt to carry him around like a baby. Once, about ten years ago, I was house-sitting for my aunt and was talking on the phone and ignoring him. He got up on the couch behind me and bit me on the back of the head.
About eight months ago my aunt started to exhibit some strange behaviour. She lived alone and had not had anyone to visit in some time. When we went into her home, it was filthy, and she had eight cats living with her who were not using litter boxes or being properly fed. I don’t think gentle Lincoln was getting much to eat when they did get fed, because the others were younger and bigger than him.
My aunt was diagnosed with dementia. She was able to keep one cat in her new living situation, the others found homes, and I took Lincoln. For the first while he was with me, he gained a bit of weight and was playful and active.
I had him for five lovely months, and he taught me a lot about love, responsibility, and poop (which he loved to do in his carrier in the car).
Although it scared me at first, I’m so glad I learned to give him subcutaneous fluids toward the end. He always sat patiently and I talked to him quietly, and never had to hold him down. It felt like a really special time.
Before he died yesterday I thanked him for coming to live with me, told him my aunt loved him and I loved him, and held him and kissed him as he passed.
Here he is earlier this spring, feeling more like himself, with his favourite toy.
Thanks for reading and learning more about our special boy. I have really appreciated all the support from this forum over the past months.
RIP, little Lincoln.
