Kind, patient, caring

Kind, caring, patient.

Our sweet Dobbie passed away. He is one of the cats we gained when we moved to our current home 5 years ago. He had a beautiful partner, Tiger, who passed away suddenly a few years back. She was such a cute little kitty. After Tiger died, Dobbie seemed to be a different boy. Gone was the skittish kitty that ran up trees and seemed pretty aloof (what cat isn’t?) We now had a new to us kitty. Dobbie became quick friends with our now late pup, Carmen, and the 2 of them enjoyed a bond that we hadn’t previously seen.

Dobbie was a handsome boy. He had a patient heart as we added a new kitten, Mizty (aka Murder Face, Murder She Wrote, JB Fletch, Jessica Fletcher, Kitty Sanchez, Kitten Face) and tolerated her grooming him and swatting at him. He lovingly stepped aside whenever Mitzy would go to his bowl for food.

We knew something wasn’t right when he was starting to lose weight. He was a pretty big boy. I thought maybe he had worms and since it’s COVID I figured I would just pick him up some pills. Those didn’t seem to do much for him. I knew he needed a real vet visit… especially since he still seemed to be shrinking but was now gaining in his belly area.

The vet told us that our nearly 15 year old cat (I thought he was only 10) had diabetes and a tumor in his belly. She couldn’t confirm if it was cancerous or not. I ran to Shopper’s to get his insulin and a miracle happened… Rick who will be the first to tell you that he does not like needles began to administer Dobbie’s shots. We did our YouTube research and away we went. I am really proud of Rick. He lovingly, every single morning and evening gave Dobbie his meds. I would hear them in the morning… Rick apologizing and Dobbie trying not to cry.

Despite his illness, he still managed to have a little fun as displayed in this pic of him prancing up the driveway with a fresh kill. He also took time to help Mitzy learn the ways of being a big cat and taught her that we don't play with our live food aka mice we crush them.

We were set to head to Thunder Bay in the middle of July. Dobbie had been missing for a day. The night I came home and he wasn’t outside to greet me I knew he was gone. The next morning as Rick left for work he said “I’ve left his needle out for you to give him.” I was anxious and also knew I wouldn’t be giving that needle. Still no Dobs.

The next morning we were loaded up and had given instructions to our house sitter about the cat. We also had Big Baba waiting in the wings in case Dobbie did show up and needed his, well… eternal needle. Rick decided to do one last check around the yard and found sweet Dobbie who had passed away. He was lying near our flower bed. Wy had checked this spot before and didn’t see him. Rick came in the house, more quiet than usual, and looked at me and nodded. Instinctively the kids asked “What? Did dad find Dobbie?”

I bawled. The ugly cry kind… the kind where your whole body heaves and sobs. The boys brought him to the pet cemetery in the back field. Zach told me later that it was so hard to put him in the ground. Neither Wyatt nor Rick wanted to cover him so Zach was the brave one. Ella and I preferred to remember Dobbie the way he is and didn’t join them graveside.

I thought about what Rick had said about Dobbie… he was kind, generous, patient and never hurt a soul. He then said “Can I say the same about myself?”

We all can learn from the living things around us. Dobbie taught us the value of friendship. His sweet soul continues to live in kindness, patience and caring.