Blackie – House Cat
2007 – 2025
About Blackie
Blackie was born along with his siblings in a private home in Springfield, MA around July of 2007. We rescued him and his sister Daisy in September of 2007 and brought them back to live the finer life with us in our home.
As siblings they were seemingly inseparable, but wild as could be for young kittens. From climbing up onto window curtains, making their way to the tops of doors and cabinets, the pair were chaotic and fun to say the least. Always together, they had that incredible bond that so many non-identical twins have and it remained that way until Daisy’s passing in 2021.
Home Life
Blackie was the quieter of the two cats, leaving vocal expression to his sister. He grew into a laid back and peaceful friend, always willing to take a knap, play with his toys and just relax and watch TV with us. Blackie was fascinated with the warmth of the sun, always taking time to lay at the window or on the floor as the sunlight beamed down unto him. You would always see both of them together, laying and holding each other or just taking the time to clean each others fur. At night he would always be around us on the couch, in his little floor bed or on the cat tree to oversee everything we would be doing. As for food, both always had good wet food in a variety of flavors twice a day and dry food to supplement them throughout non-feeding times. Of course treats were always a daily welcome, a couple when we left for work and a few more at night before bedtime.
The two cats had their own room within our house, where we kept 2 litter boxes, extra beds, a large cat tree, an electric water bowl and various other stuff. In most cases, they would only use the boxes, stop for a drink then return to wherever we were. Their primary food dishes, another electric water bowl, beds, a full size cat tree and their toys remained in our living room where they spent most of their time.
The Lone Cat Life
After his sisters passing, in September 2021, he became way more vocal than ever. We knew it was a hard time for him, not having his playful partner around to cuddle, clean and enjoy. As time went on, he became more attached to us.. Staying in whatever room we were in, sleeping in bed with us at night and just seemingly looking for more attention than the previous years. We believe he knew we were just as sad as he was without Daisy. We made sure to always let him know that he was loved and always with us. Outdoor trips became more frequent as well, as he was very intent to just take a walk around the yard and lay down in the chair to relax. Many times he would go to the door, cry and yell at us to indicate he wanted to go out, so we would take him out even just for a few minutes to sit on the stairs with us. When he was ready, he would walk right back up into the house.
The Later Years
As Blackie was getting older, we would occasionally take him out to the backyard. Always with one of us in tow, he would roam around our fenced in yard, inspecting all of the wonders he was not accustomed to like the flowers, bushes and the grass. As his love for the sunlight continued, he would usually just lay down on whatever cement was available to enjoy the sun. During cloudy weather, or when it was too hot out, he would join us on a chair and just relax as we sat outside in the shade. He really enjoyed watching the different birds that would pass through the yard and listened intensely to all of the sounds they made throughout the area. At one point, we purchased a screened in cat tent for him and his sister to sit outside for a bit and enjoy the fresh air as we worked around the yard. Blackie knew our love for him was strong and he reciprocated the best way he knew how, with lots of affection to us.
His Final Years
As like many older pets, Blackie was having issues with his kidneys. In the beginning he required to have medication a few times a week to help him along. The doses changed many times and even came to a twice-daily regimen. As he was brought in and checked every few months, he slowly became worse. We were now being told he would need Subcutaneous Fluid treatments, to keep him healthy, comfortable and living well.
We started the treatments at home, usually about once a week. Not long after we had to increase to Two, then Three times a week. This went on for over a year, Blackie getting his pills day and night and then his fluids three days a week. Like so many of us, he was not always happy with the treatments but he did take them in stride.
All this kept him happy, living his best life and just enjoying the time he had with us.
Then, at the beginning of 2025, Blackie was becoming weaker, less talkative and slowed way down. We noticed he was definitely not himself, not eating as much and we could tell something wasn’t right. At one point he was refusing treats and not drinking as much. So a trip to an all night Emergency Vet was made. After lots of tests, we were told he was dehydrated and had other minor underlying conditions. But they were able to keep him overnight, gave more fluids and seemed to be feeling more like himself. They did indicate that his time was coming to an end and that it would be up to us to decide. He was not in any pain, but Surgical options were not an option, due to his age and other heart related issues.
We brought him home and kept an eye on him. Playing, eating, drinking, etc. As we watched throughout the week he slowly became worse, reverting back to his lethargic positions, eating less and less and not really drinking. We checked and knew he again was dehydrated, even as we had increased his fluid intake by I.V.. After a few days, of very little food and water, even as we tried to give water from a bottle (which he used to love), we knew our time with him was limited. Then his bowel movements stopped and almost no urine was being released. Now he was visually in major discomfort and everything we tried did nothing. Looking at him, we knew he was now starting to feel pain.
Our plan was to have a Vet come to our home to release him from this life, in comfort surrounded by us in his own home. But we knew, waiting another day or two was not an option, given that he now seemed to be suffering. So we decided to bring him to a Vet Location locally that afternoon. Where he was seen and quickly the decision was given to end his suffering. We had a few minutes with him in a quiet room to say good bye, then the Vet came in and administered the final dose with Blackie resting his head on my hand. We spent a few more minutes with him and then he was taken to be setup for us to bring home. Where we could work things out for his cremation and final moments.
Images of our Blackie
