I Will Forever Love You Doofy

   We sadly lost our Doofy (Rufus) earlier this evening.  He had been his normal crazy self all day, running all over the place and playing and chewing on things.  Just a routine day for him.  I had just settled into my recliner when I heard him knock the candle on the pellet stove where he was sleeping.  He got up oddly, went into what looked like a seizure and toppled off the pellet stove.  I yelled and Jeff came running.

   We tried to make him comfortable as he looked again like he stiffened up and I gently pet him and talked to him softly hoping that he would come out of it.  He was struggling and we could see it.  Suddenly he stopped...everything stopped...his breathing, his heart and he was gone.  I tried to massage his heart, I checked again and again for a heartbeat and breath, but none came.  I held him and prayed...I was in shock.  We knew he had some heart issues and we think he may have had a heart attack.  He passed quickly with both Jeff and I beside him.  It rocked me to the core and I just held my furry little buddy and sobbed.

   I did not want to let him go...he had so much energy in that long and lanky body.  He used our home as his own personal racetrack and had fabric tunnels, boxes and toys to play with.  He was forever getting into or onto something that he was not supposed to.  He was a little escape artist.  He was the goofiest and most entertaining cat we have ever had.  He was also my cuddle buddy and slept with me almost every night.  He would climb up my lap and onto my chest when I was in the recliner and look at me with his big soft eyes to get lovies every day. I am totally at a loss without him.

   Patches kitty saw us trying to save Doofy and came to cuddle with me when Jeff gently took him from him.  She knew that her brother was gone and could see me in such deep pain.  Later Midgey came out and cuddled with me.  Caesar came in from the yard and immediately starting looking for his partner in crime and was very confused at not being able to find him anywhere in the house.  I have never seen a dog and cat with such a tight bond.  It is going to be an adjustment for him too.

   Jeff buried Doofy next to the rest of our feline fur babies that have passed on within the last 25 years.  I am grateful that we were home and were able to be with him when this suddenly happened and also for my husband, who had the hard task of burying the cat who changed our lives in so many wonderful ways.  Jeff had to go to work within about 2 hours of all this and I know it was hard on him.  His main concern was for me and how devastated I was and still am.  Our kids were wonderful though and so supportive when we told them.  One of them even offered to come up and be here with me.  We are blessed with such a wonderful family.

   Grief comes in waves and I am riding those waves tonight and will be for awhile.  I have trouble sleeping as it is and Doofy helped calm me so that I was able to finally get some sleep in the early hours of the morning.  He brought me comfort as he cuddled in and made his little contented noises when he found just the right position to sleep in.  I felt safe with him there.  He was also my alarm clock in the morning and we had a little routine when he wanted me up.  He was obnoxious about it, but it became a game that we both knew would end with me getting up to let him and Caesar out.  I will miss that too.

   So Doofy, thank you for saving me when I was spiraling downward into depression and bringing so much joy into our lives.  Thank you for your antics, goofiness, playfulness and for bringing laughter and fun to me each day.  Even on my worst flare days, you made me smile and brought moments of joy.  You will always have a special place in my heart my Doofy Doo and I will forever love you.