It is a hard thing to watch a beloved animal companion decline. Luna Moth is the matriarch of our feline tribe and has always had health concerns. When Luna was 10-weeks-old I learned that she had a IV/XI (four out of six) heart murmur. After a cardiac ultrasound performed by a specialist, we learned that she was born with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. I cried, a lot. Then I decided Luna would have the best life I could provide for her. The vet that we were seeing at the time was uncomfortable spaying her, which went against everything I believe about responsible cat ownership. Plus, have you ever seen a cat in heat? It's a terrible thing to witness. Well, Luna went into heat for the first time at about 6-months-old. Then she went into heat again almost immediately. And she started to bleed. Cats don't tend to bleed with their heat cycles. I had to get her spayed. Again I had trouble with the vet we were seeing, they actually questioned whether I had let her get pregnant. Ugh. Anyway, she was spayed and we discovered that her uterus was in bad shape. Parts of it were thickened, parts were friable. It was a mess. Good thing I spayed her in spite of the risks of anesthesia! Luna came through surgery just fine.
Fast forward 11 years (Luna turned 12 this July) and my baby goddess has advanced arthritis, is losing muscle mass and really just wants the comforts of a warm place to sleep, food twice a day and the occasional cuddle (only on her terms). My hubby held her tonight and commented that she is just skin and bones. She hasn't declined to walking skeleton yet, but it is clear that Luna is in her own twilight and we should cherish every purring moment we have with her. On a selfish note, I'm glad that Luna lived to see me have a kitten of my own. Even if she does wrinkle her nose every time she wants to get on my lap and Veronica is already there.
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