It's been a sad past few days at the King household. On Thursday we had to put my sweet kitty Dante to sleep. Dante had just celebrated his 10th birthday in February. Last year he had developed a growth on one of his hind legs and it just kept growing. We had taken him to two different vets and they both said the same thing-either amputate the leg (but that wouldn't cure him), put him down, or see if the growth stopped. We decided to wait and see if the growth stopped, but unfortunately it didn't. Then a couple of months ago the growth continued and opened up and we knew things weren't going to get better.
Making the decision to put Dante down is one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. Pet lovers, I'm sure you feel my pain. I've had Dante since I rescued him when he was a kitten and I was 19. We grew up together! He was there for me during my years at college. He was witness (and a welcomed guest) to many parties and gatherings I had at my old apartment complex. He was there for me when I ventured out into the teaching world and always welcomed me home when I got home too late those first few years. He was my cuddle friend when relationships didn't work out and I needed somebody to cry to. And he fell in love with Justin at the same time I did when we welcomed him into our home and lives.
He didn't really appreciate it once we started bringing babies home, but then again, who can blame him? He just wanted a nice quiet bed to sleep on, and that has been hard to come by the last few years. I feel a little guilty because he didn't get as much attention as he could have once we started having children, but he had a very forgiving personality. There wasn't a person who met Dante who didn't have some comment about him. He was known as a beautiful, big, friendly white cat with beautiful orange eyes. At 18 pounds he was a big boy! He never missed a meal, that's for sure.
I have nothing but fond memories of Dante. He will be greatly missed. He wasn't just a cat, but my best friend, my confidant, and my pet. I'm grateful that he decided to spend part of his 9 lives with me. Dante, you may be gone, but you will never be forgotten.
