Goodbye my Sweet Kingsley

RIP Kingsley Krieger

I am very sad today. In about one hour I will be leaving for the veterinarian, taking Kingsley, my lovely, sweet cat to the vet one last time. He won’t be coming home. I am sad and weepy. It has to be this way. Kingsley has lymphoma. The disease has progressed quickly—it’s now time for me to help him over the bridge. I will miss my Kingsley and his calming purr.

This is the last precious gift I can give him—releasing him from the ravages of cancer.

I apologize for not blogging until now. After Kingsley was diagnosed on September 17th, I wrote the following blog, and had intended to post it. That didn’t happen. I’m posting it now, before I help Kingsley pass over.

Is it behavioral or medical?

Sometimes what seems like a behavior problem originates from a medical issue. It can be very hard for people to recognize when their cats are ill or in pain. Often, the only hints cats give are through changes in their behavior. Some of these changes are very subtle—others manifest themselves as severe behavior issues. When cats have sudden changes in behavior, even when the changes are subtle, they should be evaluated by a veterinarian. Even a small change in a behavior can indicate a serious problem and should be taken seriously. Doing so can save the cat’s life and can help eliminate unnecessary pain.

I Follow My Own Advice

I knew something was not right with Kingsley. The change was subtle. For the last 7 years Kingsley’s has taken naps with me, curled up in the crook of my arm, purring softly. I love that purr. A few weeks ago he stopped napping with me, favoring instead a desk with a flat, uncluttered surface. This subtle change in his habits was my first indication that there was something seriously wrong with him.

I took him to our favorite vet. He was diagnosed with lymphoma.