Today I shot Twiggy

I raised Twiggy from a kitten.

Something got her, maybe a coyote or my neighbor’s dog. Typical of a cat, she hid out until she was so badly abscessed that there was no return. I tried cleaning up her wounds and force feeding her for several days but she was just too far gone.

I never thought I could do anything like that–kill something I loved.

I could go into a long lament about not having a man around to handle such manly tasks but the truth is there never has been one around when I was in need. So, fuck it! I learn to do things for myself.

My son buried her then we said:

10 Good Things About Twiggy

1. Twiggy was sweet
2. And beautiful
3. she purred so loud when she was happy.
4. Twiggy was a brave hunter
5. She brought me many mice offerings
6. She was soft
7. And she used to lick me in appreciation
8. Twiggy loved to play with the cat dancer
9. And lie in the sun
10. Now Twiggy will be food for flowers.

Adapted from:

The Tenth Good Thing About Barney

…as our family ritual when we lose a loved one

Before you presume to judge me for shooting an animal to put it out of it’s misery and suggest that taking her to the vet would have been more humane read this:

1. I have never known of any vet who would euthanize an animal for free.
2. To euthanize an animal with little or no pulse, the needle is stabbed into their heart and the chemical administered directly to the heart. Not a pretty sight.