Hi friends. I know it has been a long time since I posted and now I’m coming to you with some sad news. My fur sibling, Echo, went to the vet hospital on Thursday and won’t be coming home. Although we weren’t best friends like he and Ocean were, he was almost always sweet to me. I’m going to let mom take over now to tell you more about him and what happened. Please join us in celebrating and remembering Echo.
Hi all. Mom Ava here. When I took Echo to the vet on Thursday, I loved on him and comforted him while we waited. I told him I loved him. When I left, I told him goodbye, hoping it was not the last. But, alas, it was.
At just 11 years old, Echo’s life was all too short for a cat. He should have had many years left to be a loved member of our family. You can read all about how he came to be a member of our family here. I am trying to console myself with the fact that I think he had a good, happy life and to be grateful for the time I did have with him.
At the Hospital
Initial Consultation and Exam
Let’s get what happened out of the way so we can concentrate on the good things.
Echo had been throwing up off and on for a week or so and wasn’t eating well. I took him to his regular vet who did blood work and x-rays. She said she didn’t see anything significant and sent him home with antibiotics after an enema. She said that if he didn’t improve, he might need exploratory surgery at the pet hospital in McAllen (about 30 miles away).
After another week, things hadn’t changed much so I called the hospital to find out their procedure for new patients. I had to go as a walk-in and wait in my car to be called when a room opened. Things still haven’t completely opened back up from COVID-19 so waiting outside and wearing a mask was mandatory.
About two hours later, we were called into a room and met with the vet. He immediately said that Echo’s abdomen was very distended. They took x-rays and showed them to me. The vet said there was so much going on in him that he didn’t have a clue what it was without opening him up.
It was hard to decide if surgery was the right thing to do. Would it be a success and give him lots more years with me or would they find something terrible?
The Heartbreaking Decision
I was heartbroken when the vet called me during surgery to tell me what she found. She removed a large hairball but farther down the intestine was an even larger mass which she said was very likely intestinal lymphoma. She said that even if it wasn’t cancer the mass was in a very tricky place and that the intestines might open back up after surgery. Oh, the big C word. I knew it was a possibility but still my heart fell.
Even if his life could be prolonged a few weeks or months with drugs, should I put him through that? What about the risk of more surgery? I didn’t have much time to make a decision if I wanted him euthanized while he was still under the anesthesia so he wouldn’t feel any more fear or pain doing it later. I had given this some thought over the past couple of days so I decided to do what I felt was right for him and let him go.
Best of Friends
I think Ocean is having a hard time understanding what is going on, maybe because he didn’t get to say goodbye. He seems quite lost and clingy. He spent the whole day Friday slinking around, I think looking for Echo. When he wasn’t prowling around, he was patting my arm and asking me to pet him. You see, Echo was my first rescue in 2009 and from the moment Ocean came into the house a few weeks later, they were inseparable. No matter how many foster cats and kittens came and went, their bond was never broken. If they weren’t right next to one another, they were at least in the same room.
Echo’s Favorite Things (Besides Ocean)
Echo absolutely loved the screened in porch. In fact, that is about the only time he was willing to be separated from Ocean. When I opened the door first thing in the morning he would rush outside until breakfast time. He would happily stay out there by himself for hours in the evening. Often, Ocean would go out with him but not always.
When it was too hot to be outside, he appreciated the upgrades I made to the squirrel and bird TV in the side yard.
I don’t know where his fascination for string came from but it is one of the things that always concerned me about him. Many years ago, when I was a USDA licensed exhibitor, I had a lynx die from ingesting baling twine that blew into his enclosure. of that, I was always careful to clip any loose strings or threads from things like scratching posts. Echo loved playing with the frolicat flik, and I loved watching him, but I never let him play with it without supervision. And, like most cats, he loved catnip toys.
In spite of his long fur, Echo loved soaking up the sun as much as the next cat.
Echo loved to be brushed and would cry and cry if I brushed someone before him. He would stand in line and wait his turn.
Fly Free My Sweet Boy
Echo was such a sweet, trusting boy, in spite of how terrified he was when he came to live with me as that frightened, feral kitten. He was the first of my three cats to warm up to my dad when we moved here to Texas. He was quite the cuddle bug and it always made me happy to have all three snuggle up with me.
Once in a while Echo made me laugh, he frequently made me smile and he always made me happy. For that I am grateful. I will miss his grace and beauty. Every cat is amazing and special. The best we can do is love them for the short time we are with them.
I’ll leave you with a few more photos of my beautiful boy.
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We are so very sorry to hear the news about dear Echo. He was such a big part of your family and to lose him so suddenly is heartbreaking. We are sending Purrs and Prayers to you all and know dear Echo is looking down with love. All the Angels welcomed Echo and we know he is getting used to his new wings and sending kitty angel dust down on you all to help in your healing
Timmy, Dad Pete, Toby, Rumpy, Miss Fitz and Einstein
We’re so very sorry for your loss. We’re sending lots of love and hugs your way. Echo is a beautiful angel now watching over you. P.s. We hope you post more often.
Thank you Lola and mom. We are going to try to post more often. Thanks for the encouragement.
Echo was so handsome and much loved. I am sorry for your loss and send hugs.
Thank you so much. Maybe he has met angels Eric and Flynn!
I’m so sorry for your loss. My heart is breaking for you. I know how difficult that decision is. You did the right thing. Sometimes the best thing we can do is let go. *hugs*
Thank you Robin. I knew going into the surgery that it would probably not be good news but I had to try.
So sorry of your loss. Fly free beautiful Soul💗
Soft Pawkisses to comfort you all🐾😽💞
Thank you Binky and Granny.
I am so sorry to read this heartbreaking news….I am so deeply, deeply sorry. Sending (((hugs))) and our deepest sympathy
Thank you for the hugs, Caren!
Farewell, Angel Echo; what a beautiful kitty you were!
Purring for those you left behind on Earth.
Thank you so much.
Oh, that is such sad news indeed.
Echo, handsome upon earth, and now a splendid Angel Kitty.
Rest up a while, Echo, and soon you will be flying with new strong wings all over the catnip meadows at the RB.
Sending hugs and condolences. May his memory be in your heart forever.
Thank you! Echo did love his catnip.
Ava, We are so very sorry for your loss. Hugs and purrs. Andy, Mom Judy and family
Thank you Andy and family.
That Echo sure was a handsum mancat. Awnty Ava, Christy and Ocean, we are so sorry fur your loss. Mommy was just showin’ us fotos of ya’ll’s visit the other day. Purrlease, ifin ya’ need anythin’ just holler. We’re sendin’ hugs and purrayers fur all.
Luv ya’
Dezi, Raena and mommy A
Thank you so much girls. I still forget and look for him for a split second once in a while.
Ava, I am so sorry to read about your loss. You were very brave to let Echo go the way you did. Ocean may never truly get over losing his best friend. Giulietta has never gotten over losing sisfur Fiona. Sending condolences. I will keep you in my heart, as I know you are grieving. Hugs, Janet and Kitties Blue
Thank you so very much Janet and Kitties Blue. That’s what I’m concerned about with Ocean. Sorry to hear Giulietta still misses her sisfur Fiona.
Godspeed your journey to heaven Echo; we are truly sorry and send hugs and loves to you, mom, and the family you leave behind ♥♥♥♥♥
Thank you. We miss him.
Those photos of Echo with Ocean are heart-warming and heart-breaking. I am sorry for you and for him. Godspeed, Echo.
Thank you! I love the photos of them together. I have so many of them!
We are so sorry about the loss of sweet Echo. As you say, 11 years was not near long enough, but really, no amount of time ever is. We know he was loved and will be looking in on all of you, and especially his beloved Ocean. Purrayers and POTP to all who love him.
Thank you so much. As you said, no amount of time is ever enough but we will think of him every day.
I am so sorry about Echo. He was a very special boy, and I’m sending lots and lots of purrs to you. And especially to Ocean. <3
Thank you Summer. Ocean is still searching but I’m sure he’ll come around.
We’re so sorry for the loss of your sweet Echo. We send you comforting purrs and gentle headbonks. Purrs and hugs
Thank you Swiss Cats.
We are so, so sorry that Echo was needed at the Bridge. The love and joy he brought into your home is so clear from your beautiful post. Sending you all love, and gentle purrs and prayers of comfort as you miss your special boy.
Thank you so much. It is still hard to believe he is gone.
what a beautiful boy and a beautiful story, we are so sorry fur your loss
Thank you so much.
I am sorry for your loss.
Thank you!
I am so sorry for the loss of your handsome boy. He was such a sweetie. XO
Thank you so much, Ellen. He sure loved the toys we got from you. (Christy shared with him.)
Oh my, Echo was such a beautiful, picture-perfect mancat. We’re so very sorry that he’s left you, and dad says he knows just how terrible it feels and exactly what you’re going through right now. We didn’t know Echo, but we’re sending warm healing purrs and purrayers your way and hope it helps, at least a little. We are so sorry for you.
Thank you so very much. You wouldn’t think you’d miss one little cat so much when you still have two but the house seems so wrong and empty without him.
We are so sorry for your loss.
Such a beautiful boy.
Purrs xx
Thank you so much. We appreciate it.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Echo was a beautiful boy. Sending purrs of love and hugs.
Thank you so much.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Echo was so beautiful. We’re sending purrs and hugs to you during this sad time.
Thank you girls. We sure do miss him.
We are so sorry to hear that you have lost your sweet Echo. (((Huds)))
The Florida Furkids
That should say hugs
That’s so very sad and we’re all so, so sorry about dear Echo. We know there are never the right words so we send you purrs, hugs and all our love.
Thank you for the purrs, hugs and love. We miss him.
Dear loving family of Echo
I am so very sorry to read about his passing.
Our furries are all so very precious and bring us joy.
Hugs Cecilia
Thank you so much.