Today was hard, as we had to say goodbye to the Z-Man. He did really well since his diagnosis (liver cancer) and remained much himself, doing Zander things until a couple of days ago. He was totally spoiled with only his favorite foods, lots of scritches, and visits from his many friends. Tuesday he stopped eating and yesterday he stopped drinking. It was time.
He will be missed. He was everyone’s cat, never met a stranger, and charmed everyone who entered the house, including a lot of repair people. He was always there to assist. And of course, he worked hardest at the non-cat people, as cats are wont to do. And didn’t leave my dad’s side when he visited last fall.
And remained photogenic even as he spent most of his last days on his favorite pillow, above. There are more photos here.
I’m off to bed, trying to ignore that empty pillow.
Thanks for letting me share and many, many thanks to everyone who shared their similar experiences last month when I talked about this. It was so helpful to hear what to expect and to not feel so much like a pet person failure. Cancer happens. Cancer sucks. Fuck cancer.
hells littlest angel
Condolences on your loss. He sounds like a good guy.
jackmac
What a beautiful critter. Cancer sucks. So sorry for your loss.
Darkrose
I’m so sorry. He was a beautiful boy.
I know it’s hard. I keep waking up in the morning and wondering where Alistair is. Be kind to yourself, and remember that you gave him a safe home and much love, and he surely knew that.
Jay
I am sorry for your loss Tamara, Zander was loved, and Zander was love.
Sister Golden Bear
I’m so sorry.
Joey Maloney
I’m so terribly sorry.
mrmoshpotato
Condolences to you, TaMara, as well as to Scout, Trixy, Jasper, Nick, and Nora. Sorry if I forgot any critters (I’m sure I have.)
Old School
I’m so sorry, TaMara. Zander will be missed.
Lyrebird
Wish I could send some light your way, T!
Hope you are getting lots of support there from two-foots and four-foots as you grieve .
Anne Laurie
Condolences, TaMara.
It was a privilege to know Zander, even at an internet remove. Thank you so much for sharing him — and your other animal companions — with us!
SiubhanDuinne
Such a beautiful cat, that Zander. I’m really sorry for your loss.
Anotherlurker
I am so sorry for your loss TaMara. It is never easy losing a friend so valuable to our lives. I’m sure you have many stories and photos of Zander that will bring you comfort and laughter.
Remember the words of Dr. Seuss: “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.”
CaseyL
Cancer sucks rancid donkey balls.
I am so sorry, TaMara. Zander was a lovely boy. May his memory be a blessing.
Wag
Condolences. Zander was a handsome kitty, and he was lucky to have companionship from someone as kind as you.
Andrya
I’m so sorry. I hope you can take comfort in the fact that you gave a wonderful cat a wonderful life.
RaflW
What a beautiful and lovely being. I’m so sorry for you and yours.
StringOnAStick
A kitty who is a friend to all is a supremely self confident cat, and that’s because they know they are deeply loved. Zandar had his best life with you. So sorry for your loss.
laura
Condolences on the loss of your boon companion. He was a handsome boy- loved and lovely.
HumboldtBlue
Bye, Zander.
Ann Marie
I’m so sorry, Tamara. He looked like my beloved Hugh, who was also taken by cancer. It is so hard to lose a beloved pet. Take comfort in remembering that he knew he was loved all the way through the end.
Steeplejack
Condolences on Zander. Great pictures of a great cat at the other site.
🌈 🐾
Odie Hugh Manatee
My condolences on the loss of your beautiful kitty. That fur-sized hole in the heart afterward is tough to deal with. I get teary-eyed every time I hear of a pet passing. They do not fear what is coming, we do.
Rest in peace, Zander kitty.
BigJimSlade
Ohhh, RIP Zander and my condolences Tamara.
I’ve lost a cat to cancer before (he was only 7!), and our current fluff of beauty, Phoebe*, turning 12 this month, is 5 months into treatment for lymphoma, but doing well right now… Yes, fuck cancer.
*In one of the BJ calendars resting on top of Half Dome in an obvious, but fun, Photoshop job.
Citizen Scientist
Condolences Tamara. Safe travels Zander, you magnificent being. 🥲
FelonyGovt
I’m so sorry for the loss of your beautiful kitty. Hugs.
Quiltingfool
TaMara, I’m so sorry. Losing our furry babies is so hard.
Mai Naem mobile
Condolences to you Tamara. Zander really suits his name. RIP Zander.
West of the Rockies
He was a handsome boy and you provided a lovely, caring life for him. Cyber hug to you.
Kristine
He was a handsome kitty. Never enough time.
rikyrah
So sorry for your loss😢😢😢 But, he knows that you loved him😢😢
Ms. Deranged in AZ
I’m so sorry for the loss of your beautiful kitty.
Yutsano
Oh he was a treat I could tell. My heartfelt wishes are with all of you. Even the ducks.
anitamargarita
💔So sorry for your loss. May his memory be a blessing.
Major Major Major Major
Fuck cancer indeed. Condolences 😞
NotoriousJRT
So very sorry for the loss of your beautiful Zander.
Msb
Very sorry for your loss. It’s hard to feel we ever love them enough in return for what they give us.
eclare
Oh I’m so sorry! I have been there, it’s hard.
Kathleen
I am so sorry for the loss of your sweet kitty.
Ruckus
It’s never easy.
You become like partners, especially with the good ones. But yes even the problem ones grow on you.
TaMara, sorry for your loss.
MazeDancer
Many, many condolences. What a good boy.
Subsole
Condolences. Farewell to your beautiful boy. It is always so hard to let them go.
Debbie (Aussie)
So very sorry TaMara. Zander, friend to all. Waratahs a wonderful cat 🐈🤗
Layer8Problem
You give a loving home to friends who return the love, who maybe don’t know why, who just know they’re safe and secure and cared about. They are only with us for such a short time really, but they know right up to the moment they go “my friend is here for me”. And then we cry and think of our happy memories of them and how good it was to know them. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Big R
We let go of our old man two and a half weeks ago. Same thing as Z; Titus was fine until suddenly he wasn’t. We were lucky that we have a home euthanasia service so he could pass on our deck. Every time I think about one last sunbeam I get teary again.
My phone shows me pictures of him every day and he’s always so happy in them and it’s the highlight of my day.
Anyway, we are in this with you too and it feels like garbage but I wouldn’t trade the last seventeen years to not feel like this now. Zander was lucky to have you, and you were lucky to have him. He left pawprints on your heart that won’t ever go away.
TBone
💔 every time because to love is to be vulnerable. They always know how much we love them. Your loving kindness is strength, the strength to let go when it’s time no matter how hard it is.
RedDirtGirl
I’m so sorry for your loss. What a noble beast!
Gregory
I am so sorry for your loss. He will be remembered.
HeartlandLiberal
My wife forced me to take a memory test, and recall all the names of the cats we have had in 60 years of married life. I searched my memory banks, and named all but one, forgetting the name of one of the dearest. We have loved many cats in our lifetime, and we feel your loss and sorrow.
zhena gogolia
I am so, so sorry.
Baud
My condolences.
Rachel Bakes
Such a handsome cat. And so sorry for your loss.
Rster
@hells littlest angel: Sorry to hear. Having owned cats for like 60 years and been down the rainbow path many times I’ve found cats tell you when ‘it’s time’. And expect you to respect that decision.
oldster
May his memory be a warm, furry blessing.
kalakal
So sorry to hear that. You gave him a great life
Dorothy A. Winsor
I’m sorry. That’s hard.
Antonius
I’m so sorry, Tamara.
J.
Damn. So sorry to read this. He sounded like a great cat. Sending a virtual hug.
moonbat
What a beautiful animal, inside and out. I am so very sorry for your loss.
SteveinPHX
Very sorry for your loss Tamara. We have always had kitties in our house and it is never easy to say goodbye. Xander was a handsome cat.
Rileys Enabler
I’m sorry for your loss. You did good by him and gave him a happy home. It’s all we can do- our best for them- and when they go it’s an empty time. Glad he had you and all that love.
Jackie
Oh, TaMara!😭 I just woke up to your update about Zander passing over the rainbow 🌈🐾 bridge. You gave him a peaceful, loving farewell, in the same way you gave him a happy, loving home. Hugs to you and all who loved and will miss Zander.
SFAW
So sorry for your loss of Zander. He was a beautiful boy. It’s always so hard to lose someone we love, including our kitties (and doggies, of course).
TheronWare
Sorry 😞 for your loss of Zander.
randy khan
I’m so sorry.
Drunkenhausfrau
I’m so sorry. It’s so hard to lose them. 💔
scribbler
A much loved kitty leaves behind such big pawprints. Will have you in my thoughts over the especially hard days to come.
SamInWa
I am so sorry for you. It is hard to lose a beloved pet.
Thank you for sharing your memories of Zander with us.
My memories of beloved pets gone past are often a comfort to me and I’m sure they will be for you as well even if it doesn’t seem like it right now. (no, I’m not talking myself up there at all… no projection here)
Torrey
I am so sorry for your loss. You were lucky to have Zander, and he was truly lucky to have you. Farewell to a wonderful cat and wishing you comfort in the knowledge that you gave him the best life.
JAM
I’m so sorry for your loss. He sounds like a wonderful friend.
Chat Noir
I’m so sorry! I know how much it hurts to give them back to the Universe. He was a gorgeous kitty.
BellaPea
I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful Zander. Our dear kitty P’Nut left us on February 8, and we were lost in sorrow for weeks. She passed very peacefully, sounds like your Zander did as well. Bless all of our sweet animals.
TaMara
What wonderful comments. Really does make it easier. Thanks, everyone.
Cheryl from Maryland
What a beautiful cat. Both of you did right by each other.
Meyerman
Sorry to hear he has passed. Thanks for sharing your time with him with us.
xjmuellerlurks
You have my sincerest condolences.
SkyBluePink
With sympathy and empathy-
It is such a privilege (particularly with our shorter term pets) to give them the best life for their little life.
But still such a sad loss.
captain toast
So sorry for your loss. My big cat had cancer too. Sure miss him
Ghost of Joe Liebling’s Dog
Oh, I’m so sorry. (And fuck cancer.)
CliosFanboy
Oh, I am so very sorry…..
Sherparick
@TaMara: So Sorry for your lost of such a sweet and magnificent cat as Zandar. May his memory be a blessing.
We lost our Vivian early last December to the say terrible disease and every night I look at the pillow in the bed between my wife & I where she would lay.
DFH
TaMara, I’m so sorry. I have three, with one sitting across my chest while I’m prone on the couch reading this. All three are 7 years old, in good health, and playful.
Zandar was a beautiful cat, with character popping off the page. I love his open gaze. Some cats have that, and my heart … well, I know he will be missed and I wish you peace.
ChrisSherbak
Absolutely f-ck cancer. Very sorry for your loss.
chrisanthemama
What a beautiful boy Zander was. bless
DEBG
So very sorry. Zander had a wonderful life, and you loved him unconditionally, and you did the best for him. He was a beautiful cat too. Sending you healing purrs from my clowder.
Chris T.
💔
TaMara
❤️❤️❤️