Goodbye Madison, My 15 Year Old Persian Cat

Today was a very sad day for me as I had to put my 15 year old cat, Madison, down to sleep.

For the last week or so, Madison hadn’t really eaten that much, nor had she really used the litter box.  She would still purr when I would hold her, but I could tell something wasn’t quite right.  I even tried to feed her some wet food, which she would eat a little, but then she would slowly turn her head away from me.  Since she was 15 years old, I feared that something was terribly wrong, yet I had hoped that maybe it would be something not so significant.

Unfortunately, there was something wrong with Madison.  When I took her to the vet this morning the vet instantly noticed that her kidneys were very small and had lumps on them.  She also had a pretty significant heart murmur.  After we did blood work it was pretty clear that Madison was dying.  Her blood work numbers were off the chart.  Since her kidneys were failing, the toxins were starting to build up in her body.  If I didn’t put her down, she may have a day or two at most.  However, during that time she would also start to experience pain, which I definitely did not want her to experience.

I made the decision to go ahead and put Madison to sleep.  The vet and technicians were wonderful.  They said they would take Madison back and put an IV in her, then bring her back to me.  At that point they told me to take all the time I wanted with her and just let them know when I was ready.

I held Madison in my arms and thanked her for being such a great pet all these years.  She had been with me during the worst years of my life.  Madison was not a very needy cat.  All she ever wanted was to be petted and brushed.  Since she was a Persian, she wasn’t the most active cat, but she always enjoyed getting attention from Leecy and I.  Other than that, Madison didn’t really care for meeting other people or animals.

Anyway, so I held Madison for a while and told her everything would be okay.  Since there was a window in the room at the vet, I let her look outside.  I told the vet I was ready.  I just held her in my arms while letting her look outside, and the vet slowly administered the drugs.  It was over very quickly.  Her eyes didn’t close, they just stayed wide open but looking calm.

I chose to have Madison cremated with her ashes returned to me.  I plan on spreading her ashes around our Rose Garden as Madison always liked to look out the window in that area and watch the birds.

Strangely enough, this is the first animal I’ve ever had to put down.  It was very tough, but at the same time I’m really thankful that Madison didn’t really suffer.  The last couple of days I spent considerable time with her just brushing and holding her.

Madison was the Queen of the house.  I had her before Maggie, Leecy, Sascha, Coco, or Chloe.  She and I went back a long time.  I really miss her right now, but I know she is in a better place.

So to Madison, thanks for listening to me (or pretending to) for all those years.  I’ll fondly remember your expressive eyes, and how during the last few years you would drool when I brushed and held you.  I know it wasn’t easy, but thanks for giving me a couple of days to prepare to say goodbye to you.

Madison On Kitty Perch

Madison Looking Down

Madison Showing Eyes

Madison Laying Down

Related posts:

1. Alvin Says Goodbye
2. Curiosity And The Cat
3. Update On Coco