She had been sick for some time. First in August. It was treated and went away, but came back in November. For over two months we tried various medicines and diet changes. She just kept getting worse. I would get so hopeful whenever we would try something new. But nothing seemed to help much. Since the treatments we were trying were unsuccessful, the most likely cause of her illness was cancer.
What I keep thinking about is the first time I met Pepper and decided to adopt her. I went to the Humane Society specifically to see her, it had only been two weeks since we moved into our new home. I saw her picture online and she was so sweet looking and I just knew.
When I took her into one of the kitty rooms, she looked a little ill. Her fur was oily and dandruffy, she just looked a little miserable. I didnt decide right away, I had arrived at the HS late and knew I didn't have time that evening to adopt and take her home. I played with some of the other cats while I thought. Still undecided, I told one of the employees that I had come to see Pepper. She pulled me back over to Peppers kennel and placed me right in front of it and said, "stand here and watch." She opened the kennel and Pepper quickly stepped out and cuddled up right on my shoulder. It was apparent she needed love.
I started tearing up and that was it. The employee I was with looked as if she was going to cry too. Pepper had been there awhile, she was labeled as 8 years old (possibly older) and kept getting passed up for kittens. I wasn't allowed to take her home yet, but I was able to start the paperwork and keep her on hold. I called Matt and told him I adopted a cat.
We picked her up the next day and brought her home. Within a week, her skin and fur improved tremendously, she looked healthy and happy. She happened to be the most affectionate cat I have ever met. More than that, her temperament was perfectly suited to my own. She was my soulcat and while I'm sure I'll love other cats, none will compare to her. Pepper loved nuzzling, she was cuddly, but not overly needy. Also, she didn't constantly hide, I could always find her or call her name and she'd come running. She loved her name.
She was tolerant when we brought home a puppy, she was excellent when we came home with Harrison and I'm sure she would have been great for Sam. In the last few weeks she had even taken to getting Harrison up in the morning. She would jump up on his bed and let him cuddle all over her. Harrison really loved Pepper.
Harrison has been really sweet. While he doesn't understand what happened, he knows she was sick and she's not coming home. When Matt and I came home from the clinic yesterday, Harrison brought me a box of tissues and juice. I also mentioned, kind of to myself, that Cinder doesn't know Peppers not coming back. Harrison actually knelt down next to the dog and very sweetly said "Kitty, no, kitty, no" while petting her nicely. I have the sweetest little boy.
It's been a really hard few days, but I know we did the right thing. She's no longer miserable and suffering. I just wanted her to be better and I will miss my kitty snuggles. 5 years was far too short a time with her.
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