Friday, December 8, 2017

RIP Kip

Our little kitty, Kip, died on Wednesday evening.  For nearly a year he'd been in a bit of a decline, losing weight and acting like he was not quite there, and then he'd rally, gain some of the weight back, and seem like his old self - but over the last couple of weeks, he really went downhill, and on Wednesday morning, Jeff woke me up to say that he didn't think Kip would be here much longer.  He spent some quality time with Kippers before finally leaving for work, and I held Kip for most of the afternoon:
April 2005 - December 6, 2017

Jeff came home from work and Kip made a couple of sounds that indicated to us he was in discomfort, so we called our vet and were able to bring him in shortly after; on the drive there, he started to act like breathing was beginning to be a struggle, and if there was any doubt in our minds that we were doing the right thing, that was erased when we saw him like that; one thing we can do for our pets is to not have them suffer and linger at the end of their lives.  Of course, it was still hard in the moment, but we were with him at the end, and it was quick and peaceful.

I wish I had the kitten pictures of him, but they were taken before I had a digital camera, and are printed and in a box somewhere in this house.  He was a cute little kitty, you'll have to take my word for it.  Here's some other shots that capture a bit of his personality:
Christmas was always fun for Kip...who needs presents when you could have a bag?
He had no fear.  Jeff was taking an ice bath after a long run and Kip jumped right in!
 Hammock time with Jeff was always relaxing...
Pretty much any time he could hang out in the backyard with Jeff was good for Kip.
He helped me knit a lot of projects over the years, and never tried to mess with my yarn - good kitty!
I knitted some mitten ornaments and had to try one out on Kip, who did not really appreciate that, but also didn't protest with more than a disapproving look.

Kip had at least one other family that we knew of - our next door neighbors, who had a cat named Sassy who happened to look just like Kip.  They were best friends and would hang out together, and Kip even was fed by Sassy's parents every morning.  Sassy died about a year ago, and it's good to think that they are back together again now, hanging out on a driveway somewhere, watching the world go by just like they used to do.

Occasionally Kip would disappear for a few days and when he'd return, he wouldn't even be hungry, so we figured that he was just hanging out with another family...of course, it would have been nice to know that for sure all those times, because we worried when he didn't come home every day.  But he always came home, so I'm pretty sure we were number one to him.

Kip was fearless; if we had a ladder out, he'd be at the top in the blink of an eye, and whenever we'd drop the ladder to the attic, we always had to check the attic when we were finished, because we accidentally locked him up there once.  Turned out he could meow pretty loud when he needed to!  And one time when a friend was leaving my house, we spent a few minutes chatting on my driveway with her door ajar; she drove off and was partway out of my neighborhood when suddenly she saw Kip's head pop up in her rear view mirror!  She made a U-turn and brought him home...silly Kip.

I'm glad I got my new phone with the good camera a couple of months ago because along with all of the memories we have of our Kippers, we also have some really good pictures:

Goodbye, sweet Kip.  We will miss you.

29 comments:

  1. So sorry for your loss Shelly and Jeff. Kip was a beautiful cat, and you gave him a good life.

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  2. Oh no, I'm so sorry Shelley! It's always so hard to lose a beloved pet, especially since they are like family! You're right, Kip was a gorgeous cat! ((Hugs))

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  3. So sorry for your loss. Pets are a special part of the family and so loyal and loving. Thanks for sharing your pictures.

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  4. I am so sorry, Shelley! It's so hard to lose a beloved furry family member. I still tear up when I look at pictures of my old pups. They really do have a special place in our hearts.

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  5. Your Kip has always reminded me of our Stripes. I will miss seeing him on the blog. You and Jeff are good pet parents for caring more for him than for your own feelings. I'm sorry.

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  6. So sorry for your loss. What a sweet little kitty.

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  7. Oh this just made me so sad to read. What a good adventurous kitty he was. You and Jeff are good pet parents in every way. Take care, I'm so sorry for your loss of Kip.

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  8. As a fellow pet lover, I love reading about your fur-babies. I am so sorry for your loss.

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  9. Aww man, I am so sorry about Kip :( What a wonderful life he had with you (and the neighbors... and who knows who else!). He sounds like he was super lovely and mischievous - the perfect cat. Hugs to you, Shelley.

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  10. So sorry for your loss. So sad, always, to lose a pet. How old was Kip? As a longtime reader, I almost feel like I know your pets, and I will miss seeing him on your blog.

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  11. I was SO hoping this post wasn't about what the title implied. I was hoping it was you exaggerating because perhaps he did something naughty (like got into your knitting or something). SO sorry for your loss. I wish you and Jeff and Paco peace as you adjust to a new normal without your furry friend. Hugs!

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  12. Awww, Shelley, I'm so sorry. Losing a pet is so hard!! :(

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  13. Oh, I'm sorry about your kitty. It looks like he was really sweet.

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  14. I'm sorry for your loss. Tabbies (and Torties) are the best cats. He will live on in your memories. Great photos.

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  15. I'm so sorry about your kitty. I lost my best friend B about a month ago and I'm still devastated. Thinking of you.

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  16. So sorry to hear about Kip. Glad you could be with him.

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  17. I'm sorry for your loss, Shelley :( What great stories and memories you have about him - he sounds like such a fun cat.

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  18. I'm so sorry for your loss. Rest easy, Kip.

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  19. Oh goodness, I'm so sorry for your loss. It was always easy to see how very loved he was and what a funny, sweet cat he was. Thinking of you and your family.

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  20. Belated, but heartfelt, condolences to you and Jeff & the Kadults on the loss of Kip. It's so hard, even when you know it's coming. Looks like he had a great life with your family.

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  21. We've had contact after I saw this on IG. I'm so sorry for your and Jeff's loss. Losing a pet is so hard. You have written a beautiful tribute for Kip.

    Did Henry and Paco act differently after Kip was gone? Usually pets know there's something going on.

    Big hug for you and Jeff sweety.

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  22. Aw, Shelley & fam, I'm sorry to hear this. Like Fran, I was wondering how the other fur babies are acting. I will miss him too. He always seemed kind of regal. Chrissy

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  23. I saw the title of this post and immediately out loud cried ‘no no no no no!’ I’m so sorry for your loss!!!!

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