Our dear Woody was diagnosed with hyperthyroid and chronic renal disease in 2020. His CRD progressed rapidly in spite of all our efforts administering fluids and medications. He was so very thin and weakened. We let him go on August 4 at the cat clinic. Both of us were allowed to be with him for the procedure.
Woody
was the runt of his litter, the second litter from mom Lily. His brothers
were Norm, and Sam named for the guys on Cheers. And sister Georgie. The
kittens were born under our deck behind our house in spring 2006.
Being
feral. We were not able to touch or get close to them but did interact
with them through the glass door and large windows. I made a weather
proof feeding station on the deck as they got older.
I
remember one spring morning when Lily guided the kittens off to do some
exploring in the woods behind our farmhouse. All but Woody who was
afraid to leave the safety of the deck. Lily called to Woody to join
the little family in their outing but he stubbornly refused. The group
finally left him behind. Woody spent the day crying and whimpering under the
deck or by the stairs. I felt so sad for him.
When
Lily and his siblings returned hours later, Woody was overjoyed to see
them, running part way out into the yard and back again vocalizing. What
a long day for him.
We
trapped Woody and his siblings in 2007 along with Snowball to get them
spayed and neutered. The males lived in a cat house with a screen room and
indoor area until we caught all the cats and moved to our present location in
2008.
We kept the
siblings together in their new cat house but Al became aggressive with
Woody and Tabitha who was from the last of Lily's litters. Lily was a
mastermind at out maneuvering any trap we set out. We moved Woody indoors to
our house with Tabitha.
Woody latched on to Tabitha at this point in his life and never let go. She was a plus sized dominant female and protected Woody. They were inseparable, sleeping, eating and playing together. Tabitha tolerated his attention but occasionally would swat him to leave her alone. He always wormed his way back.
Woody had such a joyful unique personality. He loved to eat and was the first cat in the kitchen at mealtimes, head bumping the others. He would shimmy his tail, and stomp his back feet, alternating right and left. This was his "Woody dance".
If you cannot see the video please go here.
He was very vocal, meowing in the kitchen if he wanted more food. Or if he didn't feel well he would tell us.
He drank water out of a bowl with both front feet immersed, lifting one paw to lick the water off it.
His expressive tail showed his every mood, thumping, swishing, tapping. He walked with his tail straight up, the end curled like a lemur. He chased his tail like a dog, going around in circles or rolling end over end on the floor. See below.
If you cannot see the video please go here.
Woody loved sunpuddles indoors or sitting on the back porch. He found any sliver of sun for a nap. In winter he sat on or in front of the heater. I worried he would catch fire he got so warm.
He loved to chase the laser light toy. And sitting in the window watching birds at the feeder. Woody enjoyed boxes, cubicle, any small spot for his naps. He could be found tucked in the baskets or cat beds with his sister Tabitha.
In the evening when I read in bed, Woody would make biscuits on my reading pillow and snuggle in next to me.
On his last day he spent some time on the back porch in the fresh air and sun. He ate a good breakfast but his body temperature was low and he was very weak. It was time. There was no more that we could do for him.
The vet gave a bit of Catit salmon squeezed on a towel. When they gave him the sedative Woody fell asleep licking this treat, his little pink tongue sticking out. Don and I had our hands on him sending Reiki as he breathed out his last breath. It was peaceful and quick.
Woody is buried with pansies and rosemary tucked in his paws for remembrance. I had recently found Snowball's favorite frog nip toy so added that for him to pass on to his brother. The grave is next to Norm's. I left a bunch of wildflowers on top with a crow feather I found near our pet cemetery.
I felt that finding the crow feather meant that Woody has crossed over and was OK. I found this online - Angels communicate with us in a range of different ways such as coins and feathers appearing in our path. Seeing a black crow feather is a good omen. It means you are being protected, kept safe. And for me - it means angels are with you during the healing process you are going through.
A joyful presence has left our lives with Woody's passing. He brought so much love and light to our lives. I know his mom Lily and litter mates Norm and Georgie were with him as he passed to guide his crossing to the other side of the veil. Until we meet again sweet boy. We love you forever.
