6.27.2008

Goodbye Chloe


This morning our sweet cat Chloe passed away. I didn't think that I would be so sad. I actually thought that when this day came that I would be relieved. As you know we were often caught complaining about Chloe. He was always getting on the kitchen table, going outside and getting dirty, leaving dead mice and birds on our back porch, jumping on our laps when we were busy, whining to go outside or for food or for water. We always had to clean the litter and clean up after him when he would throw up from eating too much grass. Disgusting huh?!? Unfortunately, you don't realize what you have until it's gone. Chloe was the best pet. He never bothered us except when he wanted something. We were sort of on auto pilot with him. He knew exactly how to get what he wanted from us. If he whined in the bathroom it meant that he was thirsty. He was very particular and would only drink water from the master bathroom sink. If he whined by the stairs it mean that he was hungry. If he whined by the back door it meant he wanted to go outside. Tim, Payton, Parker & I would always just automatically respond to these cues without hardly even noticing that Chloe was there. I guess that is why I'm so sad now. I feel like we took for granted what a great pet we had. He didn't ask for much; just to be sheltered and fed. Lately, that was about all we were doing for him. Chloe has always been last priority, but he was fine with that. He left every evening to go out and prowl the town, but continued to come back every morning. We gave him every opportunity to leave us and go find a better home, but he just wouldn't.




Tim & I have had Chloe since he was a kitten. When we went in to get his first shots the vet told us that it was actually a girl. We didn't know anything about kittens anatomy so we believed him. We went home and changed his/her name to "Chloe." After 6 months, we went back to the same vet to have "her" spade and the same vet told us that "she" was a "he." So, we had Chloe neutered. We debated so much about what to do with the name. She, I mean, he already responded to the name Chloe. We felt like we couldn't change it...so we didn't. To this day nobody knows whether it's a he or she. For the record...Chloe was definitely a boy with a girl name.




Chloe really was an ideal pet for our family. He was so sweet and loving. He put up with a lot of torture and neglect, but he still loved us unconditionally.



Chloe has been a fixture in our home for the past 8 years. Although we had our complaints, I'm not sure what we'll do without hearing his meow or seeing him lounging around our home or prowling around outside. I swear that I'm not a crazy cat lady, but I can't believe how hard it has been to see him die and know that he won't be around anymore. These are some pictures of Chloe last night just hours before he passed away.



Chloe progressed throughout the night and passed away early this morning so Payton and Parker weren't around to witness any of it. We told them what had happened. They really don't understand death yet. They've spent the morning making cards for Chloe and put them by his grave.

12 comments:

Patty said...

I will miss seeing Chloe at your house, also! It was a GOOD pet!

Anonymous said...

That's so sad. Poor Chloe. I hope you will be okay. He/She was beautiful. I'm so glad we met. Okay seriously... I will be so sad when my cat dies too. I love her.

natalie said...

I am not a cat lover but those last couple of pictures were sad. I think pets become like one of the family. Also, I can't believe how grown up Erika looks in that picture. She is so cute. What's Krista up to??

Anonymous said...

How sad! Has Chloe been pretty sick? It is so hard to have a family pet go...
Makenna is going to be so sad! She loved torturing your cat. :)
I just can't believe you have had Chloe that long. I still remember him/her as a kitten when you guys swore you wouldn't keep it.
-Camille

Shelf said...

It is so hard to loose a pet...they become like part of the family. I am so sorry, at least he is in a peacful place now.

Unknown said...

I am sorry about Chloe too! I almost got a little tear in my eye. Must be this birth control! Anyway, I'd also like to say congrats on 10 years. WenDee Maples and I were talking about you and it started like this: WenDee said, "Your sister-in-law is Brittany, right?" "Brittany, no her name is Mandy." WenDee says, "No, not Rob's wife." I reply after a moment of thought, "Oh, right BRITTANY! Tim's wife!" WenDee "Yes! She is so cute!" Sorry I forgot about you! :)

Lors said...

Sorry about your cat. When my cat of 18 years died when I was in college, Titanic had just come out in the theaters and I would cry when ever the song "My heart will go on" would play on the radio. I know pretty pathetic, but it is amazing how much a pet becomes part of the family.

Jordan said...

I really am sorry! He was a pretty cat.

Utley Family said...

Oh, that's so sad! I always cry when a pet dies (don't tell anyone but I even cried when our fish died, even though I had been waiting to get rid of the fish bowl on my counter for a long time!) I'm glad you have lots of pictures and good memories!

Michelle said...

I really am so sorry about your cat. I never know quite what to say when one dies. I have had pleny of opportunities, having run over my moms cat twice, but he is still kicking.
I am not a crazy cat woman, but heaven knows I love pets...we only have like 20 (only one cat though). I can't imagine loosing even a single one of them. I really am sorry.
My next door neighboors cat just did have a litter of kittens, so if you are even considering a replacement, I know where you can get one for free!!! Every kid needs a pet (or 20) right???
Love ya, Mich

Dartay said...

Poor little Chole :( He was a good looking kitty. Though we never met, I'm sure I would have loved him :) Eddie and Gus send their condolences.....

Jay and Bec said...

I'm so sorry about your little cat. It's so true that you just don't really appreciate your animals until they're gone.