Piggy the Cat

By JoCo May 17, 2011

This weekend my cat died. He was a couple months away from being 20, so it wasn’t a complete surprise, he’d been in decline for some time. Saturday morning I came downstairs and could tell immediately something wasn’t right. Cats don’t have really expressive faces, but I swear he had a look in his eyes, kind of crazy and out of it. He ate some, and then lay down at my feet, and basically couldn’t get up again. I sat with him a while, pretty certain this was the end, but not that anxious to proceed. Finally I had to admit this was the time, and I called the vet and took him in, and as my daughter says “the doctor put the medicine on him.”

Off you go Pig. Wherever you are I hope they have a lot of suitcases to pee in…

Comments

Code Monkey says

Godspeed Piggy.

Jen says

Ohh, very sorry about Piggy. Such a beautiful boy.

Robin says

I'm really sorry to hear that. I've lost a pet recently too, so I know it hurts a lot. I really don't know what else to say, but I'm sure Piggy is in a better place now.

TheAppleFreak says

I'm sorry to hear about this. I once lost a dog to internal bleeding, and making the decision to euthanize him was one of the hardest decisions I had to make at that point in my life (I was in 7th grade back then).

At least you can take solace in the fact that Piggy wasn't a headscratcher and won't become a zombie. Otherwise, all it'll want to do is eat your brains.

Scott says

Sorry for your loss. :(

We had to euthanize a 2-year old weimaraner back in 2005 due to bone cancer, and I still can't talk about it without having the same reaction I have when I listen to Space Doggity.

Piggy was quite a handsome cat. RIP.

Justin says

good night sweet prince. RIP Piggy

eric says

I'm sorry to hear this. I remember seeing Piggy in an interview video with you some time ago. He seemed like a very charming, mellow kitty. Twenty years... that is probably much longer than you've known most people in your life!

Bryan says

He looks like he was a good friend. My condolences.

glych says

Will there be an Ode to Piggy in this JOCO fan's future? My condolences on the death of your friend and companion. 19 years is a long time.

Anon says

August 12, 2006:

"Arlo sends this video memorializing his Hedgehog Yozhik, who died of cancer in June. I didn’t even know the little guy and I miss him…"

Similar feeling for me today.

Marshall says

About two years ago now, my wife and I had to put one of our cats down. Even though I could rationally understand I was doing the right thing for him, never in my life have I ever felt like such a monster.

My condolences, Jonathan.

Joe Johnston says

Sorry for your loss, Joco. I have had to put down three cats in the last 10 years. I've got one left who is 20 herself. You never really miss the smell of cat urine.

Dan, ad nauseam says

Only a moment ago you had nothing but time.

Sympathies.

Jacob says

You have my condolences. My family just recently lost one of our pet cats due to a couple of dogs attacking her. It really sucks having to put down a pet, but sometimes it is the best thing that you can do for them. :-\

cgs says

My condolences on your loss.
I have a 3-year-old, and find the inevitable experiencing-first-pet-death moment to be a big parental anxiety. May you and your daughter find find your own road ahead and walk it with grace.

Ryan! says

That sucks. I lost my own kitten a little over a month ago, without any warning at all. I think you're lucky that you at least got some decison and warning in this ordeal, but I don't envy having to console children through it. I'm sorry for your loss.

Jason says

My condolences. I had to put a dog down a few years ago. Similar to what cgs said, for me the hardest part was explaining things to my daughter who was four at the time. That was really her first experience with death and it opened the floodgates. I've been through a lot of drama since then but that week after putting our dog down is still one of the toughest I've had, as a parent and a human. I remember being shocked that I hadn't even considered the "Death Conversation" with my daughter before that. Your quote from your daughter brought me back. I feel for you and I hope things are going easier for you and yours.

Anon says

It's something pet owners understand. I've grown up with them all my life. When you spend almost two decades with a pet almost every day, you know them. In the end they eventually tell you without speaking that it's time.

It happens every single time. It's a very sad and solemn occasion.

mwschmeer says

My condolences, Jonathan. Our cat died last November. He was nearing 19, and, like you, we saw the end coming fast. He died at home, and I was with him when he passed. It was pretty tough.

It my four kids the hardest. My eleven year old still tears up from time to time when she sees kittens or cats at friends' houses. For weeks, my youngest child, who had recently turned 4, kept going to the last place the cat had been and saying "This is where our cat died" to any one who came over. He still talks about it from time to time.

Oh, and the cat died on my 40th birthday. No shit.

So, I feel for you. I do.

Mikey says

RIP Piggy. I hope you and your family are doing as ok as you can be right now :(

Quentin Hudspeth says

Farewell Piggy, and my sincerest condolences to you Jonathan. I, too, know the pain of losing a beloved cat.

Robert Fox-Galassi says

A family pet is always hard to cope with. But, as with all loved ones, it's best to focus on the good times. Like when you came in and found some vomit on the floor and had to clean it up, or when they found all those nicely folded clothes to lay on and shed upon.

Seriously though, our heart goes out to you. It's never easy losing a pet. My deepest of condolences.

filkertom says

Oh man. So sorry, my friend. Condolences and hugs and gentle songs to you and your family.

doggans says

My family is currently going through the same thing with our beloved pet bunny, Fiver. No matter how long you saw it coming ahead of time, you're never quite ready for it.

Xenagogue says

"Bye, pig!!" - GIR
(Lovely cat, BTW. Mrs. X and I have a chubby girl cat much like him)

Danconn says

Sorry to hear about Piggy. We lost our 13 year old Dachsund, Jaco, a few months ago. He was our "first born" child. Our condolences go out to you and your family.

Morven says

I had to have a cat put down at 16 and know how hard it is. Her "brother" is still alive and kicking at 22, and I know it's only a matter of time, but that's not going to make it any easier. Like Pig, he's an orange tiger ("ginger tom" to the Brits), and they're just the best cats in the world. Pig, I can tell you were loved.

Roz says

I am not going to tell you about how and when my cat died. But it was sad. I am very sorry about your cat loss.

Mira says

Very sorry... as someone who gets along better with animals then people... it's hard to know they will leave you so early on... I am sure your kitty was loved and happy... many well wishes for you...

KiwiTigger says

Very sorry for your loss mate.

Ginger cats are the best cats.

Masterzior says

R.I.P Piggy :(

Vismajor says

I'm sorry for your family's loss.

jenningsthecat says

My deepest condolences - Piggy looks like a fine 'person of fur', and I feel your loss.

Two years ago when we had to call the vet to "put the medecine on" our 17-year-old cat Guinness, I realized that I had known him for a full third of my life. When we got him he was so small that he stood all-fours on the palm of one of my hands. Losing him was one of the saddest things I've ever experienced, and I still miss him.

I'm glad Piggy had such a loving family - it sounds as though he had a good run and a long one, and that's all any of us can ask.

John O'Leary says

Sorry for your loss. I have gone through a pet's death myself. I just wanted to tell you that I saw your story on NPR and it has really inspired me to take my music and find my little niche somewhere in the world. Thank you for being such a great example.

John

Cullen Tapprich says

Wow, really sorry to hear that. What's crazy is that he looks alot like a cat I had when i was a little kid... We named him Tigger because he kind of looked like him... You know, Winnie The Pooh. :P

Leigh says

Godspeed Pig.

Neil says

Sorry to hear about your loss JoCo. Thoughts with you

Chris says

My condolances good sir. Your not the only one who has lost someone. My Great Grandmother past away this weekend.

Linda says

so long piggy...

euonymous says

20 years is a good long life for a cat. RIP, little guy. My sympathies.

crazydiamond says

:(

bopbot says

That'll do, Pig.
That'll do.

SRDownie says

My 15-year-old cat (Inkling) died in Oct. 1999. I don't think I've recovered yet.

Thanks for sharing Piggy with us.

Calories says

Sorry to here that Jonathan. . . But for what it's worth, 20 years is a pretty darn good run. . .

Bob says

Hello Jonathan,

So sorry to hear about Piggy.
Take good care.

We lost our good friend, Pesky, after a long illness. Her bright memory lives on. And interesting how the other cat knew something was about and said good bye to her, too.

Lance says

The world always seems to be a sadder place hen a loved pet passes on.
My condolences on your loss.
Hugs.

Rosslyn says

Amazing that he lived so long -- far longer than Hootie, the cat I had for 12 great years. Fare well, Piggy. See you later.

Adam says

Sorry to hear about your cat. Strange, Piggy is practically identical to my childhood cat, Tiger. She was also very long-lived.

Apollo says

20 years show's just how well he was taken care of. Sorry for your loss.

sarah says

I am so sorry about your cat. When I saw a the photo of him on his back, memories of our Barry that was 22 pounds big,who passed a few months ago came to mind He passed away at the vets and so we know how you must miss they angel cat that now resides I am sure in a suitcast. Our Barry I know has eaten his way througha huge bag of food. Never do you forget.Blessings,to you

Claude says

Cats are cute
Cats are sweet
Cats have fuzzy furry feet
Pointy ears, fluffy tails
Hard to tell the girls from males
Feed them stinky, smelly food
Pet them, if they're in the mood
Often you will hear one purr
As you stroke its silky fur
They're a lot of fuss and bother
Maybe I should get another.

Rob Copeland says

Sorry about your cat Pig. He looks a lot like my furry orange guy Chester who passed on last year. I agree, orange cats have the best quirky personalities. My guy liked to wrap his paws around people's feet and press his head into their legs. I hope at some point you another amazing cat finds his / her way into your life.