I found out this past Wednesday that I have to let one of my forever foster kitties, Bubba go. He has not been acting normal for a little while but I had been taking him to the vet and we tried different things to make him better. Unfortunately his body is succumbing to the feline leukemia he has. Although he was acting funny, I didn't think it would turn into something so severe and mean saying goodbye to him for forever-- I thought maybe it was his kidneys and I'd have to give him fluids or something else that can be made better and maintained.
I was supposed to take him in early this afternoon, but he passed this morning at home. I know he is in a much better place now, but it is still hard and I wish I had more time with him.
I haven't had Bubba for very long, but he did not need a lot of time to show me what a sweet, gentle, loving, and easy going boy he is. The first day I brought the cats home and let them out in their room, he immediately jumped up onto the top of the cat tree and looked at the window. There was zero transition time, this was his home. The cat tree was definitely his favorite spot and I would usually find him curled up taking a nap in the sun or looking outside at the birds and probably plotting how to get them.
He has had to share his space with two sassy ladies, Makani and Jefrey. They would hiss and swat at each other and at him, but he would never swat back. I used to be scared of cats and he has shown me there is nothing to be afraid of, or at least I had no reason to be afraid of him!
Bubba was always very sweet and affectionate. Whenever I started to pet him, he would lower his head and butt it into my tummy or leg or whatever was closest to his head. He would also climb into my lap and put his paws on my shoulder, like I was holding a baby. I think his favorite thing was getting his little chin scratched and would hold his head up and close his eyes.
Everyone who met him loved him, from his vet to the vet techs who worked on him to my friends who got to meet him and his previous forever foster owner. How could you meet Bubba and NOT like him though!? I hope he felt loved and cared for.
If there is one thing I could say to Bubba, it's that he has brought me much joy in the time I have been able to spend with him and I am so glad he became a part of our family. I hope that he in a place now where he can go outside and be free from any danger, have lots of cardboard boxes to nap in, yummy food to eat, and do all the things cats love to do. I'd like to think that Bubba and Lucci will be together (although cats weren't Lucci's favorite) and they will be waiting for me and we will see each other again one day.
Sending you off to a new adventure with lots of love Bubba, we will miss your handsome face and you will always be with us in our hearts.
