Jae Onasi Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 Higgins had been battling kidney failure for about 9 months, and about 2 weeks ago his health took a turn for the worse. We made the very hard decision to put him to sleep, and he went to heaven this morning very peacefully and with no pain. He was 15 years old (edit: almost 16, I just realized). We buried him in a sunny spot in our garden and we planted a WWII Memorial Rose in his memory. It's a white rose and has a beautiful fragrance. I could not have asked for a better pet. He literally walked into our home when he was about 5 months old, and we loved each other from the start. He was a smart, talkative cat. He learned how to do tricks like 'give me five', 'high five', and 'shake', 'jump through a hoop'. He'd do just about anything if you had tuna for a treat. He'd chatter and meow any time I was around, and he expressed his opinion often. Higgins was also a very loving cat. He came and cuddled with me every day, and I was 'his person' as much as he was my cat. He loved being scratched behind the ears and purred his appreciation often. I miss him terribly already. Rest in peace, my friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samuel Dravis Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 I'm sorry to hear it, Jae. Cats can be great friends, and it sounds like Higgins was one of the best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marius Fett Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 Aww... :( I know how you must be feeling Jae, pets really do become part of your family don't they... R.I.P Higgins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnderWiggin Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 I'm so sorry, Jae. I know that losing a friend like this hurts. I'll keep you and your family in my prayers. May he rest in peace. _EW_ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Devon Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 I'm sorry. Losing cats is never fun, especially ones you've had for that many years. My condolences to you and Higgins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamqd Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 sorry for your loss jae... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Achilles Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 My condolences for your family's loss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rev7 Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 Higgins is in a better place now. I am sorry for your loss Jae. Unfortunately my family dog is going to hit the bucket soon. He is a toy-pomeranian and is like 13 years old. Stupid dog, but we still love him! R.I.P Higgins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mur'phon Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 R.I.P Higgins, I hope you are correct about where he is:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Doctor Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 I'm sorry, Jae. It always sucks losing a good friend like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aash Li Posted June 1, 2008 Share Posted June 1, 2008 Im sorry you lost your cat too... I still occaisionally feel the pain of missing Sam, weeks later. *hugs* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthAve Posted June 1, 2008 Share Posted June 1, 2008 I'm super sorry Jae. I hate it when pets die, especially when you've had them a long time. My condolences to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonathan7 Posted June 1, 2008 Share Posted June 1, 2008 Higgins had been battling kidney failure for about 9 months, and about 2 weeks ago his health took a turn for the worse. We made the very hard decision to put him to sleep, and he went to heaven this morning very peacefully and with no pain. He was 15 years old. We buried him in a sunny spot in our garden and we planted a WWII Memorial Rose in his memory. It's a white rose and has a beautiful fragrance. I'm sorry about your loss Jae *hugs* I remember when our dog died how hard my mum took it, I think the one 'blessing' is it wasn't sudden, but you all had a chance to say good byes I could not have asked for a better pet. He literally walked into our home when he was about 5 months old, and we loved each other from the start. He was a smart, talkative cat. Exact same thing with our cat, he strolled in as a kitten... bold as brass; he's a ginger tabby; same will happen to us soon I think. Higgins was also a very loving cat. He came and cuddled with me every day, and I was 'his person' as much as he was my cat. He loved being scratched behind the ears and purred his appreciation often. I miss him terribly already. Rest in peace, my friend. Sounds like a very good pet, and I am again sorry to hear about your loss, I shall include your family in my prayers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jawathehutt Posted June 1, 2008 Share Posted June 1, 2008 RIP to Higgens, I know how hard it is to loose a cat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Litofsky Posted June 1, 2008 Share Posted June 1, 2008 I'm more of a dog person myself, but I understand the loss of losing a pet. I'm terribly sorry for you, Jae. From what I see, you and Higgins were very close, and I'm sure that he had a fantastic life with you. Just for advice: Don't dwell on him for too long. I'm not advocating 'get a new cat and move on,' but dwelling on the past will only be detrimental to your health. Higgins certainly wouldn't want his lovable friend to be in a state of despair. Again, I'm sorry for your loss, and hope that you feel better soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deathdisco Posted June 1, 2008 Share Posted June 1, 2008 My condolences. At least now he is at peace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bee Hoon Posted June 1, 2008 Share Posted June 1, 2008 RIP, Higgins. I'm sorry for your loss... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boba Rhett Posted June 1, 2008 Share Posted June 1, 2008 Sounds like he was a really great kitty and a beloved family member. I'm sorry for your family's loss, Jae. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimartin Posted June 1, 2008 Share Posted June 1, 2008 You have my condolences for your loss. I’ve been through that decision before and I know it had to be a difficult one for you. I am sorry you had to go through it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tk102 Posted June 1, 2008 Share Posted June 1, 2008 Hi Jae. Sounds like Higgins was a very intelligent cat. Thanks for sharing the pic and some insight into his personality. My condolences to you and your family as I'm sure it was a difficult day. Good idea with the rose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pavlos Posted June 1, 2008 Share Posted June 1, 2008 I'm sorry for you and your family's loss, Jae, and I'm glad you went with the white rose; really nice idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ztalker Posted June 1, 2008 Share Posted June 1, 2008 You have my condolences... I used to have a cat myself, one which my parents got when I was born. So me and the cat were practically the same age...and best friends. Like you said, they can learn a great deal of things and respond to your feelings. Mine died as well after a very long time of sickness... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negative Sun Posted June 1, 2008 Share Posted June 1, 2008 15 years is a long time to know a cat, especially if it's been such a good friend...RIP Higgins. My fiancee is a Veterinary Nurse and she says 9 months is a long time to be around with that kind of condition, so he must have been a real fighter! PS: Awesome name for a cat IMO Jae Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimartin Posted June 1, 2008 Share Posted June 1, 2008 PS: Awesome name for a cat IMO Jae QFT. By chance Jae, does the name come from a fictional television character played by actor John Hillerman. Jonathan Quayle Higgins III Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jae Onasi Posted June 1, 2008 Author Share Posted June 1, 2008 Thank you all for your kind words--you have no idea how much that means to me. @Negative Sun--when we got the diagnosis last September, we switched him to a special food designed for cats with kidney failure and had to sprinkle a potassium powder on it every other day. I also gave him some IV fluids every few days to keep him hydrated. He did really well with that until a few weeks ago when I think his kidneys shut down pretty much entirely. Apparently this is something that hits cats particularly hard. The vet felt we'd get 6 months more with him doing that treatment and maybe 12 at the very most, and we got almost 9 months. I probably could have stretched it out a few more weeks, but I could tell something was starting to really hurt him in the last 2 weeks and he was getting sick again every time he ate. I didn't want him to get to the point where he was absolutely miserable just to keep him with us a little longer. @mimartin--He was indeed named after that Higgins. We initially named him Poirot when he decided to walk in our house a few weeks before the '92 elections. Everyone kept asking us "You named your cat _Perot_?" So, we decided to rename him. Magnum PI happened to be on, and in that episode, Higgins was dressed in a distinguished black and white tux and talking non-stop as usual, and our kitty happened to be chattering away at us at the same time. Jimbo and I looked at each other and said, "He's just like Higgins!" That became his name. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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