 |
Molly's photo in Cat Fancy magazine |
When I think of Molly I think of many things but mostly I think of peace. I recall many Sunday mornings sitting at the dining table drinking my coffee and reading the weekend newspaper while Molly lay on her window perch sometimes dozing, sometimes looking down at me. She would be there soaking up the oblique sunlight on a crisp autumn day or watching the birds black against the cold light of a winter sun. She was my constant companion whenever I was at home, whether I was working on the computer or relaxing in the living room. Although it has been two years now that she is gone I still miss her acutely.
Molly was approximately six years old when she came to live with us, two months after we had lost our precious black cat, Maggie. At first she was a little high strung. She was prone to nipping one's hand after too much petting. She was also a "scaredy cat." Whenever the workmen would come to clean up the yard she would shoot out of wherever she was - usually on her perch - and head for the underside of the bed. We'd look under there and see only the reflection from her eyes staring back at us. She was a big girl and barely fit under the bed. Another time we were watching the television while Molly was sitting on my lap. A man in the program yelled loudly just at the point when I had a glass of red wine halfway to my mouth. Molly was terrified and embedded her claws in my leg in her panic to get away and the wine was ejected onto the wall. What could we do but laugh (despite my bloody leg)?
 |
Molly on the bed by my workspace |
As it turned out Molly was edgy because she had hyperthyroidism which was successfully treated via radioiodine in November 2002. After that she acted more like she was on a permanent regimen of mood lowering medication. She no longer ran up and down the hall like she did before, sounding like a stampeding herd of cats instead of just one. The thyroid problem, unfortunately, had at least masked if not caused her weak kidney condition which we learned of in 2003. That summer she started having weekly subcutaneous fluid therapy. I would take her every Friday morning; it got to be a routine such that she did not even seem to mind the ride in the car. Everyone at the clinic liked her and generally she did not complain at all. When we would come home she would binge on dry cat food. Eating calmed her nerves as it does for some people. She would usually be more tired than usual after that and she would sit nearby the rest of the day while I worked on the computer.
 |
Molly in her chair |
We loved so many things about Molly. She did not really meow like most cats but instead most often made an "urring" sound. She also had the loudest purr which you could hear all the way across the room. She purred a lot because she was usually very happy.
In addition to the perch her favorite spots were the ottoman (bought just for her), the big chair, the love seat, and of course the beds. We had a spot made up just for her on the spare bed near my workspace.
All her spots had soft throws on them for her comfort and there were, of course, many toys.
 |
Molly and Pierre |
She always liked toys which could be chewed on, in particular those made of sisal. One that she really loved was a sisal octopus which she wore out. When we couldn't find one for sale we ordered two through the mail - from Australia. Naturally she didn't chew either one. Her favorite sisal toy, however, was a huge sisal rat dubbed "Pierre" that we bought in Paris.
Perhaps Molly's favorite thing in the world was "tuna water": the liquid from a can of water-packed tuna. We called it a "tunatini" which was particularly apt when it was served to her in a (plastic) martini glass.
At the end of November 2005 we learned that Molly had also become diabetic and we had to start giving her insulin injections twice daily. The dosage had to be tuned periodically but in general she did very well and on only a couple occasions objected in all the times she had to put up with the injections. The treatments added a year and a half of quality to her life.
 |
Molly imbibing a tunatini |
Caring for Molly through these injections, the weekly fluid treatments, and everything else made her very close to us. I am very happy to have been able to care for her. My principal regret is not having been able to do better for her the last week of her life. That and not being able to write a better tribute than this.
Everyone who knew Molly loved her. She was the gentlest of cats. She is missed by us all.
|
