Nacho - A Very Special Cat Options

[nachosmom]

Late last night I had to make the hardest decision of my life and let go of my beloved Nacho, who came into my life 10 years ago as a shelter cat. This year has been very rough for both of us since he was diagnosed with a malignant fibrosarcoma in February. He had the surgery to remove the tissue followed by 21 radiation therapy treatments. He was doing really well throughout his recovery and things took a sudden turn for the worse this past month.

When Nacho came into my life, I had just graduated from college, landed a job, and moved to my first apartment on my own. I badly wanted a cat to help make my house a home, and when I brought Nacho home, he did just that.

Nacho was and is still to me one of the sweetest, smartest, and loving cats I have ever known. Everyone who met him, even non-cat and non-pet people, loved Nacho. He would purr and grunt with satisfaction every time he was touched or petted, and was in extasy when brushed with his favorite brush.

He was always a sturdy 14-pound cat whose ape***e never waned, even after the surgery and the radiation. It finally did wane and then go away entirely in the end which was painful for me to watch.

He was curious about everyone he encountered; he would walk over to you sniff you then rub your hand or pantleg. To the vets and staff of every clinic and boarder that I took him to, he was a rock star. They said that he would stick his paw out of his cage to greet anyone who walked by. Of course, no one could resist and Nacho's playfulness was rewarded with a pet or a brushing. He was never aloof, never hissed at, never scratched or bit anyone. He was the people's cat.

It's so hard to think that I'm not going to be coming home to his sweet little face like I have been for the last 10 years. We've lived in Chicago, Minneapolis and New York. No matter how lonely I felt moving to new cities, he was always there to comfort me and was my best friend. I want to celebrate Nacho in every way possible, so I plan to throw a party in his honor for me and his other friends to remember him. I know that I'll never find another cat like Nacho, who touched my life and the lives of so many others for 10 years.

My avatar is a picture of how I'll remember him - my big, swirly, pleasure-loving boy sunning himself on the balcony. I know that many of you are going through the same feelings as I am and it's been very helpful to me to read your stories.

Nacho's mom

[Simba's Daddy]

I am sorry for your loss. You told a great story of your life together with Nacho. He sounds like he was a great companion and best friend to you and a great cat to others. It's great that you are having a party in his honor, what a great way to keep his memory alive. Remember the great time you had together and you were there for him during his sickness to help him and did what you could for him. It's painful to let go of our best friends but making sure they do not suffer is some of the greatest love you can give them.

Your Nacho kind of looks like my new furbuddy.... Simba II

[nachosmom]

Thanks so much Simba's Daddy. When I adopted Nacho, the name that the shelter gave him was also Simba. And he was Heathcliff by his original family. I had already picked out the name "Nacho" for the cat that I was going to adopt, no matter what the cat looked like. When I saw this cat that had a beautiful cream & orange coat that was all swirly on the sides, I knew that he was going to be my Nacho.

Nacho also developed strange bumps in his last days- one on his head and one on his side. There were others that I could feel that were deeper in his skin. It was very comforting to me to read that your Simba had very similar symptoms toward the end; now I know that I made the right and humane choice for Nacho last night. I didn't want to prolong his suffering.

Thanks again for your reply and your comforting words.

[5catsmom]

Thinking of and being unselfish enough to let Nacho find his peace at the end is such a loving thing to do, although I know it was agonizing to go through. When pets go through so many life changes with us, it seems as though a limb is lost, as well as the love and companionship of your baby boy. You did everything you could for your boy, and that's so much more than most animals out there receive. It's truly heroic that you tried so hard to keep him comfortable, yet was thoughtful and loving enough to think of his peace and comfort at the end. I admire that, and I have this (maybe unrealistic) dream that one day all animals who are out there suffering will find someone like you who will love them with such intensity.

I'm very sorry for your loss, and I hope you come back and let us know how you're doing. Take care - Barbara

[nachosmom]

Dear Barbara,

Thank you so much for your support. It was a very hard decision to make- Nacho was the first pet who was there at the start of my adult life, and letting him go was not easy. It's very assuring to receive the support of other who have been through something similar; thank you for your kind thoughts.

Sincerely,
Linda

[michaelT]

Linda, Wow. The people's cat. That says alot to me. I've had many cats through the years and most have been great. Many have been shy to strangers but very loving one on one. A 'people's cat' however are the ones's that blow your mind. Actually loving everybody! They're amazing and you'll miss him for a long time to come. Luckily the pain eases, but the missing can linger. My boy Steve was 14 when the neighbors dog got to him, that was 4 weeks ago tomorrow. Yes I do feel better, But still miss him so much it doesn't feel real. That 'unreality' is disturbing. Kind of 9/11 and all of that. I guess my concern for you is how high Nacho raised the bar for you. Most cats aren't like that to everybody. To us ,yes, which makes them so special. So when you do get ready for a new cat, look for the love and you will find it. good luck. michaelT ( I never really posted my story, just replied to folks. I may tomorrow) mT

[5catsmom]

michaelT,
Please feel free to post your story about your Steve, You've been very kind to reply to others in grief when you've been undergoing some awful grief yourself. I completely identify with the unreality - the 9-11 effect - which you described. That kind of shock and sense of "No, this is NOT happening" strikes a real chord with so many of us. You hit the nail right on the head with that. It's very hard to find the words at first which will describe the pain accurately, but when you're ready, we are, too. Take care - Barbara

Linda,
I've been blessed enough not to ever have had to make that final loving decision - by the time I had made the decision to have my Heidi laid to rest the next day - she passed that night. I still find it unreal that she was able to pass with me by her side in her (our) bed while I could tell her it was okay for her to leave and wait for me. I still have the sense, always will have, that a higher power had a hand in that. It will never detract from the respect and admiration I have for those of you who have to make that decision - your strength just fills me with awe. Best wishes to you and Nacho - Barbara

[nachosmom]

[quote=michaelT,Oct 20 2006, 09:58 PM] Linda, Wow. The people's cat. That says alot to me. I've had many cats through the years and most have been great. Many have been shy to strangers but very loving one on one. A 'people's cat' however are the ones's that blow your mind. Actually loving everybody! They're amazing and you'll miss him for a long time to come. Luckily the pain eases, but the missing can linger. My boy Steve was 14 when the neighbors dog got to him, that was 4 weeks ago tomorrow. Yes I do feel better, But still miss him so much it doesn't feel real. That 'unreality' is disturbing. Kind of 9/11 and all of that. I guess my concern for you is how high Nacho raised the bar for you. Most cats aren't like that to everybody. To us ,yes, which makes them so special. So when you do get ready for a new cat, look for the love and you will find it. good luck. michaelT ( I never really posted my story, just replied to folks. I may tomorrow)  mT

[Precious' mom]

Linda,
I am so sorry to hear about Nacho's death. He was quite a boy! You shared so many happy years together and you both went through a lot of life-changes and moves too. My Precious was my little boy too; I adopted him when he was 31 days old and he lived until he was 19 years 3 days (he died on 06 August 2006). We went through a lot too and I really thought he would live forever because he beat cancer once (and had an enlarged left ventricle but daily heart pills took care of that). He was diagnosed with cancer and was gone within three weeks. I felt like part of me died with him, but know where he is now is a place that is safe, he's whole again and free of pain and suffering, and best of all he's waiting for me to join him someday. His presence is still with me, he "visits" me through different mediums (the radio and birds for now!) and I have his twice-blessed urn with me beside my bed, so there is a form of him with me but not the form I would like. I miss him a lot but his presence is very comforting. I hope Nacho does the same for you. Remember -- the bond you shared can't be broken by anything, physical death included!
Saying a lot of prayers for both of you!
Lisa