I hope I don’t soon have to write such a difficult-to-write blog entry as this one.
Alex, Tracie’s cat of 15 years, is no longer with us, as of about an hour ago. He was our constant companion, although Tracie of course was his preferred human. Every pet owner–or every good pet owner, anyway–thinks that their pet is extraordinary, but Alex truly was an extraordinary cat. He had an enormous personality and charmed every cat-loving human who met him. He was, as Tracie recently put it, “a larger-than-life cat.”
Alex achieved a tiny amount of international exposure with the release of Cycling ’74’s Max 4. His photo appears in the help file of the pictctrl object, which I created. (Maybe someone who has Max 5 can tell me whether it’s still there.)
Sadly, Alex had health problems as large as his personality and physique. A number of years ago it was discovered that he had a heart murmur, and a few years after that he was diagnosed with diabetes. Hence his age of 15 puts him well past his statistical life expectancy. The only reason he lived as long as he did was due to Tracie’s untiring, devoted attention to his well-being, giving him insulin injections twice a day every day for years (literally). Over the past few weeks he had a series of health complications the details of which I won’t go into, but they were in some sense inevitable and also incurable. Last night we realized that we had helped him as long as we could, and today we helped him in the last and most humane and caring way that any pet can be helped.
Of the hundreds of photos we have, this one stood out as my favorite. It was taken with a lousy camera in a PDA and it’s not even in focus, but it captures a number of things about Alex. He was a large, orange, and handsome cat, and he was always at Tracie’s side. We miss him terribly.
As a footnote, I’d like to extend a huge amount of gratitude to the folks at the Foothills Animal Clinc, who have been Alex’s medical professionals over the last nine years. To say that they went above and beyond the call of duty during the last week and a half doesn’t even begin to express their dedication. I can’t imagine a more caring and skilled veterinary organization.
Oh, Tracie
I cry with you, I know how big and important part of your life he was. As you know I believe in life eternal, and that all living things were created somewhere else before being placed here on earth, and our cats certainly were on a comfort and education mission with us, your provided a wonderful home for a very special cat. love to you and Adam
Alex was an exceptional cat, cared for by exceptionally loving humans. I think that he had more than nine lives, thanks to all the TLC he got. Bon voyage, Alex!
That is very sad news – I will miss seeing him. He lives on, nonetheless, in our memories and in the pictctrl help file. 🙂
Sad to hear about Alex, but at the same time relieved to know that you guys did for him what was best…
I am sure Alex lived a good life, and gave you back as much love as you gave him…
Life goes on, and you guys are lucky you carry with you 15 years of nice memories, love and tenderness from Alex!!!
Yeah… Bon voyage, Alex!
Yeh, he’s still there in Max 5.
Oh Traice, I am so truly sorry for your loss. My heart just breaks thinking about what you are going through. Please know that you can cry (or scream if needed) on my shoulder any time. Hugs to you and Adam both.
dear tracie and adam,
i am proud to have been alex’s vet. as you know, we were soulmates in treating our very beloved, very special
diabetic cats. only time will help heal alex’s loss. but the new LARGE look alike
kitty Zed will certainly help you through the pain. CONRATULATIONS!
i want to thank you for donating all of the expensive supplies that alex no longer will need to the clinic. there will be needy kitties who will certainly be helped with it.
with love,
cindy
p.s. also, thanks much for the gift certificates. mary and i had lunch at the olive garden the other day and it was yummy!!