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artemis_ma

Orion Passes Over the Rainbow Bridge

artemis_ma
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago

The silver cat to the right. An American curl.

Oct 1, 2006 - Feb 18, 2019



He's the youngest of the three (by a couple of weeks).

Friday he seemed slow to come to the food, but he got there. Saturday he didn't show up to eat, but instead was sitting off to the side in the basement, looking alert. but when I came back from feeding / watering the chickens, he was standing near the food, so I presumed he'd been eating. I was out of town the rest of the day.

Sunday I didn't find him when I fed the others, when I came back from the kitchen he was lying in a corner of the basement (they get fed in the basement, water is available as you see in the photo both up and downstairs). He was breathing, but the way he was lying there concerned me. Went upstairs to put the eggs away, then back down... he hadn't moved, not even his tail.

I called the vet and asked for an emergency appointment. I couldn't wait until the facility officially opened at noon.

He always loathed being picked up, normally I have to trick him (with food) into a small dog carrier, and I actually brought down paper towels and bandaids in case I'd need them after getting him into the carrier. He barely resisted. That's when I really got scared.

The emergency on call vet ran bloodwork and an x-ray on him. X-ray was normal, bloodwork showed very elevated WBCs. We put him on IV and antibiotics overnight.

This morning, we talked. They said he was worse, if it could be worse.

I had him put to sleep.

Bye, dear silvery Orion. May you gambol among the stars for which you were named.

Featured Answer
  • IdaClaire
    5 years ago

    It is a heartache like no other. I am so very sorry for the loss of your beautiful boy. May there be a joyous reunion someday, in a peaceful realm beyond this one.

    Comments (81)

    • mtnrdredux_gw
      5 years ago

      Aww,, Artemis. I loved your farewell to him.

      artemis_ma thanked mtnrdredux_gw
    • DawnInCal
      5 years ago

      Losing a pet is so sad. I'm very sorry you are having togothrough this. He was a beautiful boy.

      artemis_ma thanked DawnInCal

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    • Bunny
      5 years ago

      Artemis, I'm so very sorry. I'm so touched by your tribute and farewell to him. I'm so sorry.

      artemis_ma thanked Bunny
    • whistle_gw
      5 years ago

      I have no new words to add. I am sooo sorry for your loss.

      artemis_ma thanked whistle_gw
    • sjerin
      5 years ago

      You have my sympathy; what a beauty.

      artemis_ma thanked sjerin
    • nini804
      5 years ago

      So very sorry. He was beautiful and much loved. What a happy life & peaceful goodbye. (((Hugs))) to you.

      artemis_ma thanked nini804
    • caflowerluver
      5 years ago

      Sorry for the loss of your cat Orion. It is never easy to lose a pet you love.

      artemis_ma thanked caflowerluver
    • skibby (zone 4 Vermont)
      5 years ago

      (((artemis)))

      artemis_ma thanked skibby (zone 4 Vermont)
    • yeonassky
      5 years ago

      What a beautiful boy. So sorry for your loss. Wishing you peace through your memories of him. RIP Orion.

      artemis_ma thanked yeonassky
    • PKponder TX Z7B
      5 years ago

      I am so sad for your loss. He was a very handsome boy.

      artemis_ma thanked PKponder TX Z7B
    • hounds_x_two
      5 years ago

      I am so sorry. It is always sad to lose a beloved critter.

      artemis_ma thanked hounds_x_two
    • czarinalex
      5 years ago

      So sorry. Hope your family finds peace in your happy memories of Orion.

      artemis_ma thanked czarinalex
    • leela4
      5 years ago

      Oh, I am so sorry. It is always so hard to lose one of your furry family.

      artemis_ma thanked leela4
    • blfenton
      5 years ago

      Artemis - I am so sorry.

      artemis_ma thanked blfenton
    • User
      5 years ago

      I am so sorry. He was a beautiful cat. They just don't live long enough. You did the right thing.

      artemis_ma thanked User
    • writersblock (9b/10a)
      5 years ago

      I'm so sorry, Artemis. Such a beautiful cat.

      artemis_ma thanked writersblock (9b/10a)
    • DLM2000-GW
      5 years ago

      Oh, Artemis - your boy was beautiful and I know you will miss him terribly.

      Knowing little to nothing about cat breeds I looked up American Curl and if your Orion had the personality traits described I'm sure you will greatly miss his sweet antics and company.

      artemis_ma thanked DLM2000-GW
    • patriciae_gw
      5 years ago

      So beautiful. I am so sorry.

      artemis_ma thanked patriciae_gw
    • Funkyart
      5 years ago

      So very sorry for your loss

      artemis_ma thanked Funkyart
    • Chi
      5 years ago

      I am so sorry. The loss of a beloved pet is one of the most difficult things in life. I hope you can find peace in the days and weeks ahead knowing what a wonderful life Orion had with you. And don't be surprised if you see him around or he pops up in dreams. :) After my cat passed, I swore I felt him jump on my bed like he used to do.

      artemis_ma thanked Chi
    • Lindsey_CA
      5 years ago

      Oh, I am so sorry for your loss. Orion was such a handsome guy! You gave him a wonderful life.

      artemis_ma thanked Lindsey_CA
    • User
      5 years ago

      I am so sorry. He was a beautiful kitty.

      artemis_ma thanked User
    • nhbaskets
      5 years ago

      So sorry for your loss. Hugs, Carole

      artemis_ma thanked nhbaskets
    • eld6161
      5 years ago

      ((((HUGS)))

      artemis_ma thanked eld6161
    • cmm1964
      5 years ago

      Very sorry for your loss.

      artemis_ma thanked cmm1964
    • abbisgram
      5 years ago

      I'm so sorry, artemis.

      artemis_ma thanked abbisgram
    • 2ManyDiversions
      5 years ago

      He was truly beautiful, and I know you'll miss him terribly. I'm so sorry for your loss Artemis. You gave him the best last gift a companion can give... compassion.

      artemis_ma thanked 2ManyDiversions
    • lulu bella
      5 years ago

      So sorry

      artemis_ma thanked lulu bella
    • User
      5 years ago

      What a beautiful boy, I’m so sorry for your loss.

      artemis_ma thanked User
    • Bonnie
      5 years ago

      I am so sorry for the loss of your handsome Orion. It is difficult to lose a furbaby.

      artemis_ma thanked Bonnie
    • cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)
      5 years ago

      I am so sorry for your loss, Artemis. Seems it often happens so quickly. (((artemis)))

      artemis_ma thanked cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)
    • 1929Spanish-GW
      5 years ago

      Sending hugs!

      artemis_ma thanked 1929Spanish-GW
    • gsciencechick
      5 years ago

      I'm so sorry. He was a beautiful boy.

      artemis_ma thanked gsciencechick
    • Indigo Rose
      5 years ago

      Artemis, I'm so sorry. Losing a pet is losing a member of the family. How are your other cats reacting to Orion's absence?

      artemis_ma thanked Indigo Rose
    • anniesjacuzzi
      5 years ago

      Orion was a beautiful boy.......you must know you took wonderful care of him when he needed it the most. Let your other kitties love you up some extra and you love them up some extra... you all need it ....hugs to all of you.....Robin

      artemis_ma thanked anniesjacuzzi
    • sprtphntc7a
      5 years ago
      last modified: 5 years ago

      He was a beautiful boy and i am sure brought you much joy .... so sorry for your loss, its never easy to lose our fur babies..... (((hugs))) to you

      artemis_ma thanked sprtphntc7a
    • User
      5 years ago

      Rainbow Bridge and beyond is much richer tonight.

      I am so so sorry.

      artemis_ma thanked User
    • PRO
      Anglophilia
      5 years ago

      Such a pretty cat! I'm so very, very sorry for your loss of this lovely creature.

      artemis_ma thanked Anglophilia
    • carolb_w_fl_coastal_9b
      5 years ago

      What a lovely cat!

      I'll bet he had a good life. Sadly, they're always too short.

      artemis_ma thanked carolb_w_fl_coastal_9b
    • denali2007
      5 years ago

      It’s so hard to say goodbye, but we know we have to. I’m so sorry.

      artemis_ma thanked denali2007
    • Alisande
      5 years ago

      Such a beautiful cat, and yes, so hard to make that decision. My DIL went through this on Friday. As I told her, he trusted you to help him. And you did.

      artemis_ma thanked Alisande
    • cattyles
      5 years ago

      Artemis, I’m so sorry you lost beautiful Orion.

      artemis_ma thanked cattyles
    • artemis_ma
      Original Author
      5 years ago

      Thank you, everyone. He was a lovely cat, and he was best friends with the other two cats in that photo. The other two have been doing some serious meowing for him, especially the first night he was gone from here. Last night it was more quiet on their part.


    • nutsaboutplants
      5 years ago

      So sorry for your loss!

      artemis_ma thanked nutsaboutplants
    • lindaohnowga
      5 years ago

      Orion was a beautiful cat. Thanks for giving him a good life and doing what was best for him in the end.

      artemis_ma thanked lindaohnowga
    • User
      5 years ago

      I am so sorry to read this...it's so heartbreaking to lose a beloved pet.. :(

      artemis_ma thanked User
    • quasifish
      5 years ago

      I'm so sorry about your beautiful boy, Orion. (((HUGS)))

      artemis_ma thanked quasifish
    • mojomom
      5 years ago

      So sorry for your loss and I know it is hard for you,. Orion was beautiful!

      artemis_ma thanked mojomom
    • kadefol
      5 years ago

      I am so sorry!!

      artemis_ma thanked kadefol
    • ci_lantro
      5 years ago

      Orion was a very handsome guy. I am so sorry for your loss. Losing a pet is tough.

      artemis_ma thanked ci_lantro
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