Lisa texted last night to say she would be taking Patches in to see Dr. Bob this morning and that she’ll keep me in the loop…

 

I asked if she thinks Patches (age 23) is on her way out. She said Patches had been eating like a horse but is still losing weight that she can’t afford to lose (she’s pretty much skin and bones), so she wants to see if anything more can be done to reverse the trend or if she is in any pain that would suggest that she should be euthanized, if it can’t be alleviated.

 

So, I’m on pins and needles waiting to hear back from her. It’s only a little past 9:30 a.m. where she is, so I don’t expect to hear anything terribly soon.

 

But I have a strong, persistent feeling that Lisa and Patches are probably in Dr. Bob’s office right now.  So, I’m caught in the Twilight Zone between anticipating and dreading Lisa’s report.  Hope has me by the heartstrings, but reality has me firmly grounded, too.  23 is ancient even for a tortoise-shell cat who has already used up eight and a half of her nine lives.

 

Patches Has Been Very Well Loved All Her Life

 

Lisa has had Patches since she was a newborn kitten, and I had her for ten+ years before moving here, when Lisa took her back since flying super old, rickety, at-risk cats across the continent isn’t allowed.

 

Patches has been through spaying, illnesses  — including a catastrophic thyroid condition that almost killed her six years ago and cost $3K to get her through — and minor scrapes with other cats (she was Queen and very bossy!).

 

But she is a fighter, very resistant to giving up the ghost no matter the odds against her. The vet techs in Seattle who treated her for her thyroid condition (for ten long days while she became less radioactive) wanted to keep her because she was such a sweetheart, and she has always been the perfect patient whenever she had to go to the vet to get poked and prodded for bloodwork, although she does object to traveling in a carrier; she cries the whole time.

 

Got Up at Daybreak

 

…made and drank coffee, and then at around 7:45 I walked down to three corners in San Isidro to get tocinetta, beef, porkchops, ice cream, soda, and cake. (So, now I have some comfort food here in case I need it after I hear back from Lisa…)

 

On the Way Down to the tienda

 

I noticed that my neighborhood friend’s gate was open, so I walked in to ask if he needed anything down at the tienda. He gave me 10 mil in colones and asked me to pick up a half gallon of 2% milk.

 

So, I did that…

 

Then he showed me where and how the steps are being created to get him down to the chicken coop on the property.  The workers are doing a fabulous job and the chicken coop is becoming a showcase palace!  I will get a photo of both when they’re 100% finished.

 

I didn’t stay more than ten minutes because I had ice cream and two other freezer items in my cart.

 

When I got back, I had the second cup of coffee and looked for any important email messages. (None.)

 

I’ve Just Eaten Breakfast

 

I had some of the crockpot soup I cooked up two days ago. Mixed that with black beans, rice, cheddar cheese, a handful of mixed nuts, and a little Lizano salsa. DELICIOUS!

 

There are workers outside

 

…with machetes and a wheelbarrow, trimming the greenery that encircles this property. They’re part of Gabriel’s work crew. I think the rest of his crew is working on the neighbor’s steps down the hill from me.  They’re diligent, hard workers.

 

Hopefully I’ll Hear Something from Lisa Soon

 

My anxiety level is moderate and seeking to escalate, but I’ve been walking it off intermittently while I wait.  Wondering and worrying doesn’t help in any way. But I love both Patches and Lisa without end, and I SOOO wish I could be there to share the burden of finding out what needs to happen.  Hugs help, and I’m too far away to share those with these wonderful souls! And if Patches needs to be euthanized, I wish I could be there to caress her and express my love and thanks, and to cry with Lisa.

 

So, yes, I’m at least half-expecting this outcome while hoping that it still isn’t time yet. But Dr. Bob will be truthful with Lisa and let her know.  He’s a compassionate, wonderful vet. Everyone wants what’s best for Patches.

 

UPDATE:

 

Patches is back home with Lisa.  Dr. Bob weighed her; she is  a wee bit over three pounds, half of what she should weigh.

 

But she is still clear-eyed, purry, using her litter box, eating and drinking, so Dr. Bob says she’s merely nearing the end of her rather unique lifespan, so it’s a day to day thing. As long as she continues to enjoy life and act the way she is, there is no need to think about doing anything sad!  She doesn’t need appetite stimulants because she eats everything Lisa offers her — and Lisa has an entire cat food pantry for her to choose from! She has spared NO expense to have everything Patches loves to eat so she can offer her choices every day…

 

So, I expect that our dear old Patches will probably just pass away one day or night when her heart gives out, since the nutrtion she is receiving isn’t nourishing her body; she isn’t metabolizing what she’s eating.

 

I hope she will die in her sleep, so she doesn’t even know!  Lisa expects to find her lifeless some morning when she wakes up, so it won’t be a shock when it happens, just a profound sadness along with (hopefully) relief that she passed peacefully.

 

So, as of today, Patches is still with us and enjoying life. Lisa is spoiling her rotten, as befits a queen…

 

*sigh*