I did my undergraduate degree at my home city's university, so I remained at home, but now that I'm in Ottawa working on my MA, one of the things that I thought about on departure was whether the household pets, the family cat Sandy and my dog Marco, both somewhat on in years, would die while I was away. Sadly, one of those things came to pass this week. Sandy was randomly set upon by some stray German Shepherd dog, who mauled his leg, the result being that he had to be put down today.
15 1/2 years is a good run for any cat, and he lived them pretty much free of health problems (particularly unusual given his obesity), but it's sad it had to end this way. I always hoped he'd go peacefully one night in his favourite chair; instead, he spent his last few days laying around unable to move while we decided whether there was any realistic chance of helping him. The whole thing really upset the dog, too, apparently; not surprising, since they've been a double-act for 13 years.
Anyway, bye, buddy. A memory of happier times:
He never did like getting his picture taken.

15 1/2 years is a good run for any cat, and he lived them pretty much free of health problems (particularly unusual given his obesity), but it's sad it had to end this way. I always hoped he'd go peacefully one night in his favourite chair; instead, he spent his last few days laying around unable to move while we decided whether there was any realistic chance of helping him. The whole thing really upset the dog, too, apparently; not surprising, since they've been a double-act for 13 years.
Anyway, bye, buddy. A memory of happier times:

He never did like getting his picture taken.