I'm well aware that I haven't been around much on social media this week, and I deeply apologise for that. I also apologise for not uploading anything new to the blog, but it's incredibly hard trying to function when your world falls apart, let alone string two words together. I've been having a hard time keeping my emotions under control, and I have no idea what I'm going to be like when Monday comes around. Going by how I've been the past few days, no doubt I'll be a mess. I've almost gone through an entire box of tissues already.
On Monday, Mum, my sister and I took Nemo to the vets, and as soon as we entered the room and relayed Nemo's history, the vet found a mass about the size of a golf ball in his bladder. They said it was possibly cancer, and they wanted to keep him overnight to run a blood test and perform an ultrasound for a proper diagnosis, as well as put him on a drip to rehydrate him. The next day, we were told that he had a tumour in his bladder that was blocking his right ureter and it had damaged his kidney. The tumour was medically and surgically impossible to treat, and the vet recommended that we let him go within a week or two before it became painful.
Nemo has been in my life for the better part of the last twelve years despite living at Mum's. He has always been my favourite cat, and in my opinion, no other cat could ever compare to the perfection that he is. I may be biassed, but I'm not joking, he is seriously the best cat you could have ever asked for. Never have I ever found any other cat, or person, that even came close. He was affectionate, loyal, sweet, quiet and just always there for you at your worst moments. He also has the most piercing blue eyes I have ever seen.
I have so many fond memories of Nemo, and I still remember the night that we got him and his late brother. Mum's friend brought him and Rocky over to us in a shoebox, and they were so cute. They easily fit into the palms of my hand and were full of endless energy and curiosity. On the way home they became active and shot out of the shoebox like fireworks, happily staring out of the windows. From then on, I was fiercely protective of them. Whenever mum needed to find Nemo at night, she knew to check under my blankets first, and there we were, soundly asleep and curled around each other.
Nemo has been what we call a good omen, as his name spelt backwards is 'Omen'. I know, it's weird to call him such, but he has been the main source of comfort and happiness for us in all of his twelve years. We added another two felines to the family, but they did not show the same kind of love, patience and compassion as Nemo had. When you picked him up and held him to your chest, he would rest his head in the crook of your neck, as if he was returning the hug. He didn't have silly cat moments, but there was one thing he excelled at - being human.
We've organised for a vet to come to my mum's house on Monday morning to perform the euthanasia and then he will be cremated. He will be scattered over the backyard as soon as I return from Japan. Until then, we've been spoiling him with lots of cuddles and feeding him to his heart's content with milk and fish. Just typing this paragraph brings tears to my eyes, as have all the other paragraphs. It is so hard trying to deal with the idea of his passing. I am still trying to come to terms that soon, he will no longer be around to greet me every time I visit the family. Whoever said this sort of thing was easier than a sudden passing is very wrong, it is a thousand times harder and I wouldn't even wish this sort of pain on an enemy. My heart feels like it is splintering into a million pieces every time I think about him.
I'm going to try my best to upload a post on Monday night, but I cannot guarantee anything. I won't be surprised if I suddenly forget how to do something as basic as tying my shoelaces.
I'm going to miss you so very much, you beautiful creature.
Photos courtesy of my sister, Naomi
