Teenie

Not so camera-shy Teenie

I found my cat, Teenie, sometime around my 21st birthday. I don’t remember if it was a few days before or after my actual birthday. It doesn’t really matter.

What I remember is that I was living off-campus in a house that I rented with two other girls. There was an ice storm, and I came home really late, like at 3 a.m. (I don’t remember why I was out so late – again, doesn’t really matter.) As I was walking up to the front door, I saw something run from the front porch. It was dark out, and the blob that I saw running was so tiny, I thought it was a squirrel. Then I thought I heard a meow. Just to be safe, I said, “Here, kitty-kitty-kitty?” She came running to me.

I searched all over the neighborhood for her owners. It quickly became apparent that someone had dumped her during the ice storm, probably figuring she wouldn’t last through the night. My parents told me that they were already helping to support my living expenses while I was in college, and I was not allowed to keep a cat. I lied and told them that my roommate had decided to keep her. But Teenie was mine from the moment I found her.

(For the record, she got her name because compared to my roommate’s three humongous cats, she was this wee little kitten, so she was, quite literally, teenie.)

I’ve had Teenie for over 15 years now. She’s moved all over the country with me. I found her in Memphis, TN, but she’s lived in Mississippi, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, Washington, and North Carolina. She travels like a champ. I used to joke that she needed her own frequent flyer account for all the times she flew home with me.

When Catie was born, Teenie would stand guard in front of me while I was nursing her, and hiss/growl/swat at anyone who came near me and the baby. That included Dave too. She just knew that Catie was “ours.” The same was true with Lucy, too.

a girl & her cat

Teenie hasn’t been doing well for a while, and her health has taken a serious turn for the worse in the past couple of days.

This is part of the deal with pets, right? They typically live shorter lives than their owners. And it’s horrible and heart-breaking, but that’s what you sign up for when you adopt a pet.

I’m having Teenie put to sleep this afternoon. It’s a horrible decision to have to make, but it’s time. She’s been a really good cat and a great companion, and I will miss her terribly.

I don’t know what else to say. I’m just really damn sad about it.

May you rest in peace, Teenie. I hope Kitty Heaven is full of bologna and cheese.

20 thoughts on “Teenie

  1. I know how hard this is and I’m very sorry. I hope Teenie has a got spot of sunshine in the sky with cheese and catnip galore.

  2. Aww poor Teenie, I am dreading when the day comes for something like that for my 2 dogs xx At least she had a great life with you hun x

  3. Oh man, I am so sorry. It’s a tough thing, having pets because you know their life expectancy is so much shorter then your own. It is so worth it though.
    Sorry for your loss, losing a pet is a heartbreakingly sad thing.

  4. Oh I’m bawling!! I’m do so sorry. I have 3 kitties of my own and two dogs and I dread the days in the future that will include that decision. My heart is breaking for you.

  5. I’m so sorry, Cindy. It’s so painful, and knowing that it’s part of the deal doesn’t help at all. ((((hugs))))

  6. Oh this made me tear up and I’m not a cat person in the least. I can’t imagine going through this with my dog but I know the time will come. I’m so sorry that you have to let the precious member of your family go, and I’m thinking of you. It looks like you’ve had a great life together.

  7. Having been through this just a few weeks ago, I’m really sorry. It’s so hard, I know. I questioned my decision up until the very end, but after, I knew it was the right one.

  8. Oh, Cindy, I’m so sorry. Teenie sounds wonderful and it sounds like she had a good life filled with lots of love. Hugs.

  9. I am so, so sorry…I know all too well how this feels & it just sucks. Sounds like she had an awesome life full of people who loved her, though, & there’s definitely something to be said for that. She can totally hang with our two in kitty heaven–they won’t share their bologna very well, but I’m guessing there’s enough to go around. *hugs*

  10. Sorry to hear about your loss. Admire your being responsible with the hard decisions with your loved pet.

  11. I’m so sorry. Scott was telling me today about what a sweet cat she was and how much he liked her. Hugs and love. xo

  12. I’m so sorry. I’ve lost pets in my life, and I know how hard it is. I hugged my Cannon close last night. <3

  13. Truly, so sorry. I understand – just went through it myself on Christmas Eve. It sucks period. Teenie was as lucky as my Chester to have a wonderful family that loved her so much. The photo is precious. Wishing you and your daughter much peace and comfort in this tough time.

  14. My beloved pit bull died jan. 16th. My dad found her when I was 19. I’m 30 now. She was the sweetest dog I ever had. She went through so much with me. I know how you feel. Sorry for your loss.

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