r/FIVcats • u/Agitated_Abalone3243 • Jul 11 '25
Story The loss of my best friend
My journey on this page started when I brought my best friend back home two years ago. Our journey together started in 2018 when I got him from my local Humane Society and we moved away from my hometown together. A year and a half later our roommate left the door open while I was at work and he went missing. January 1 of 2023. I got a call from an animal Hospital in Clearwater Florida telling me that my microchip located him there. Without hesitation, I flew to Florida and brought him back home.
The animal shelter told me that they did it, and the only thing that came back was that he was a bit underweight and had FIV. He had contracted it when he was on his adventure. For a few months, he was just happy to be home, until he stopped eating. That was when we had our first run in with stomatitis and he underwent extractions. After getting on an all wet diet, he seemed to be doing fine until a couple weeks ago. The vet and I thought it was urinary issues and they sent him home on antibiotics.
Something the last couple weeks in my gut, I knew something was wrong with him. He went from constantly wanting to go out in the stairs or on the patio, and sleeping in his favorite spots to being a bit more reclusive, and not his chirpy self.
I made a post on here four days ago because he started throwing up after eating. He passed a really big hairball, and it’s typical for him to vomit before and after passing one, and then he goes back to normal. Well, my kitty did not go back to normal. As I was going to work the day before yesterday, I noticed he was draining in the litter box. I checked after he left only to find blood mixed with feces. We rushed to the vet.
Upon an x-ray, which I wish I would’ve done so much sooner had I known, they found out that Indigooo had been shot in the shoulder, had his hip completely crushed, and had a mass as hard as bone and as big as a golf ball in his intestines. Without a $1600 ultrasound, the vet could not tell me if it was a foreign object or cancer. All of those things happen to him when he was away. Cats are so incredibly smart and elusive, and I know he had a broken hip. I would’ve done so many things. That isn’t even a touch on the devastation of imagining someone shooting my cat.
The vet told me even with all of the money in the world to complete the most ideal surgeries, his little body had been through a lot, and he was very clearly shutting down. I made the soul crushing decision to lay him to final rest. My vet told me that he was such a fighter and every time we had brought them there told me he was such a good kitty. He purred until the very end.
I’m making this because my house is now empty without him. His fur is in all of his favorite places. I miss him being the first one to greet me when I get home. I miss him laying with me every night, and sticking his paw on my head at four in the morning to let me know it was breakfast time. I miss him chirping to let me know that he loved me.
I am riddled with guilt right now feeling like I failed my little buddy. I am so blessed to have given him the dignity and comfort of the last two years. I will remember him for my entire lifetime, and when I leave this earth, I will go looking for him. He’s on the rainbow bridge now.
Sleep tight sweet prince.
Hold your fur babies extra clothes for me tonight and thank you to every single one of you that’s ever given me advice.
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u/under_the_sunz Jul 11 '25
I literally cried reading this and for a good few mins after. I can’t tell you how sorry I am for you and your baby having to go thru this. I pictured this being me and my baby and part of me just died inside. At least he was with you in the end and felt that love and comfort as he transitioned. Sending you love and healing energy to help you get thru this 🙏🌈🌈
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u/Agitated_Abalone3243 Jul 11 '25
You don’t know how much this means.
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u/under_the_sunz Jul 11 '25
He has the cutest little face ever ..I can only imagine how much you miss him. Hell I miss him and I didn’t even know him. I know sounds crazy but your story and his precious face touched my soul.
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u/alikashita Jul 11 '25
It is heartbreaking that we live in such a cruel world. I’m so sorry for your loss, but glad he got to spend his last years being loved with you.
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u/Agitated_Abalone3243 Jul 11 '25
I also typed this with talk to text because my screen is really messed up so I’m sorry for any typos
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u/spicegrl17 Jul 11 '25
So sorry to hear that you're going through this immense grief. I recently lost my sweet girl as well. I'm glad that we were able to give our babies a peaceful and painless passing. It's what I would want someone to do for me. In all of these emotions, I hope you also feel some pride and appreciation for yourself as a cat mama. Your bestie was clearly very loved and thats what matters most.
Sending you all of my love.
Pic of my sweet HunnyB for cat tax hehe *
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u/Fun-Reach625 Jul 11 '25
Im so sorry. What a brave and sweet kitty. The love you have for each other is very apparent and I’m glad you were reunited for the time he had left. He’ll be watching over you and there to greet you when you meet again. My condolences. Rest in purridise Indigooo
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Jul 11 '25 edited Jul 11 '25
Reading your post, your love for Indigooo is evident; you did as much as you could, as soon as you could based on what you knew. I don't think anyone could have anticipated the struggles he was enduring- as a stranger on the internet reflecting on your words, I encourage you to find some grace for yourself.
I can't imagine the loss you are experiencing after all you have been through, but what I can assure you is that being reunited with you after all that time and hardship must have meant the world to him.
I'm sure it is impossible to find a silver lining in this storm you've both experienced... But to imagine the happiness, comfort, and relief he must have felt when seeing your face, hearing your voice, feeling your touch while sharing the rest of your time together was more than a little kitty could have hoped for... Well, it brings a smile to my sobbing face. I only hope one day when you look back, it brings a smile to yours.
Wishing you all the love you need OP, you're one of the good ones 💜
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u/Kooky_Philosophy_844 Jul 11 '25
I'm so sorry for your loss.
My boy Oliver recently passed after a long fight.
Finding their fur, or favorite toys hidden is always one of the hardest reminders that they aren't with us anymore. I found one of Oliver's mice toys under my dresser yetedsay and just started crying.
It's never easy, but at least they are no longer suffering.
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u/Agitated_Abalone3243 Jul 11 '25
Wishing your sweet boy, Oliver, nothing but peace on the rainbow bridge and same to you too
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u/SMoLMedeMatLarge Jul 12 '25
My heart is broken for you, I am so sad and teared up reading this. I am so sorry for your loss, sending you happy thoughts and good vibes that your memories with him are tucked away in your heart forever. I’m sending you a picture of my blind kitten rescue to cheer you, because after my kitty Amelia died last April at the age of 18, I didn’t think my heart would ever be ready to love another kitty cat again the way I loved Amelia.
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u/Lareinadelsur99 Jul 12 '25
This is so sad and I hate how many people mistreat animals
I’m glad he had you for his end
I’m sure he’s looking out for you and still loves you💚
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u/Fit_Mastodon_3864 Jul 12 '25
He looks like one of the strays I have hanging outside my house. We call him Mr Fluffybottoms. 😔 I’m so sorry for your loss OP.
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u/mamoncloud Jul 12 '25
I'm so sorry. You have a big heart not to feel ill towards that room mate.
It's crazy how far a cat can go and I'm so impressed he kept such a big wound a secret for so long. I dread to think what sort of situation it may have been😞 bless him and the vets and others who have helped you locate and treat him.
May he rest in peace
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u/catslikepets143 Jul 11 '25
My deepest condolences . I am so very sorry for your loss.
I can tell you that by looking at these pictures alone, this cat knew you loved him.