Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Fear or fury? The choice is ours.

Republicans seem to think life begins at the candlelight dinner the night before.

Michigan is a great lesson for Dems everywhere: when you have power…use it!

“The defense has a certain level of trust in defendant that the government does not.”

When do we start airlifting the women and children out of Texas?

The unpunished coup was a training exercise.

Petty moves from a petty man.

They love authoritarianism, but only when they get to be the authoritarians.

The party of Reagan has become the party of Putin.

Speaker Mike Johnson is a vile traitor to the House and the Constitution.

You know it’s bad when the Project 2025 people have to create training videos on “How To Be Normal”.

So many bastards, so little time.

Come on, man.

They want us to be overwhelmed and exhausted. Focus. Resist. Oppose.

A tremendous foreign policy asset… to all of our adversaries.

When someone says they “love freedom”, rest assured they don’t mean yours.

My years-long effort to drive family and friends away has really paid off this year.

In my day, never was longer.

When we show up, we win.

Yeah, with this crowd one never knows.

Come on, media. you have one job. start doing it.

75% of people clapping liked the show!

With all due respect and assumptions of good faith, please fuck off into the sun.

Republicans: slavery is when you own me. freedom is when I own you.

You are here: Home / Pet Blogging / Cat Blogging / Just a Quick Update on Zander

Just a Quick Update on Zander

by | 86 Comments

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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.

Just a Quick Update on Zander

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.

Open Thread: A Little Kindness All Around

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.

Reader Interactions

86Comments

  3. 3.

    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.

  7. 7.

    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.)

  9. 9.

    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 .

  10. 10.

    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!

  12. 12.

    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.”

  13. 13.

    CaseyL

    Cancer sucks rancid donkey balls.

    I am so sorry, TaMara. Zander was a lovely boy. May his memory be a blessing.

  14. 14.

    Wag

    Condolences. Zander was a handsome kitty, and he was lucky to have companionship from someone as kind as you.

  15. 15.

    Andrya

    I’m so sorry.  I hope you can take comfort in the fact that you gave a wonderful cat a wonderful life.

  17. 17.

    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.

  18. 18.

    laura

    Condolences on the loss of your boon companion. He was a handsome boy- loved and lovely.

  20. 20.

    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.

  21. 21.

    Steeplejack

    Condolences on Zander. Great pictures of a great cat at the other site.

    🌈 🐾

  22. 22.

    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.

  23. 23.

    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.

  28. 28.

    West of the Rockies

    He was a handsome boy and you provided a lovely, caring life for him.  Cyber hug to you.

  32. 32.

    Yutsano

    Oh he was a treat I could tell. My heartfelt wishes are with all of you. Even the ducks.

  36. 36.

    Msb

    Very sorry for your loss. It’s hard to feel we ever love them enough in return for what they give us.

  39. 39.

    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.

  41. 41.

    Subsole

    Condolences. Farewell to your beautiful boy. It is always so hard to let them go.

  42. 42.

    Debbie (Aussie)

    So very sorry TaMara. Zander, friend to all. Waratahs a wonderful cat 🐈🤗

  43. 43.

    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.

  44. 44.

    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.

  45. 45.

    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.

  48. 48.

    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.

  52. 52.

    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.

  59. 59.

    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.

  60. 60.

    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.

  61. 61.

    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.

  62. 62.

    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).

  66. 66.

    scribbler

    A much loved kitty leaves behind such big pawprints.  Will have you in my thoughts over the especially hard days to come.

  67. 67.

    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)

  68. 68.

    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.

  70. 70.

    Chat Noir

    I’m so sorry! I know how much it hurts to give them back to the Universe. He was a gorgeous kitty.

  71. 71.

    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.

  76. 76.

    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.

  80. 80.

    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.

  81. 81.

    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.

  84. 84.

    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.

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