Drummer's Corner of the World - RIP, Old Man...

Phantom, my oldest cat, died tonight at the age of 18. At least, I think he was 18... I've had him for 15 years, and the vet estimated him to be three years old when I took him in.

He'd been going downhill, and I was just keeping him hydrated and warm and comfortable, letting him do what he could and helping him with what he couldn't. I was determined to keep him comfortable for as long as I could, and to not have his last hours be spent being poked full of IVs in a cage at the vets. I dreaded the possibility of having to make that last decision for him.

Two days ago, he could still get on the sofa (although he was terribly wobbly).

At lunch today, I found him curled up in the back of the entertainment center, probably because the stereo was warm (he was losing his ability to temperature regulate, which led me to buy him a coat a week or so ago... he wore it, too, and never seemed to mind).

This evening, he just lay curled up by me on the bed. He drank some water. He tried, ineffectively, to shred my hand when I made him eat some Nutrocal.

Then he took a couple of deep breaths and just died.

Rest in peace, old man. I'll miss you.