Belle Starr & Jesse James Krahenbuhl

A few months ago one of Michelle's clients died leaving two elderly cats, Belle Starr & Jesse James. There was no one to care for them so she brought them home.

Over the years we've lost several cats. My Sophie, at age 22, went in her sleep, but we learned to know when it's time. The thing is, it's never gotten any easier.

Around the first of November Belle took a turn for the worse. Thin and frail, she suddenly began limping. Michelle called the mobile vet who diagnosed inoperable bone cancer. The associative surmisal was she was undoubtedly in a lot of pain. Michelle only waited a couple of days to have her put to sleep. I was in Utah.

Jesse's been on thyroid for years but never much cared for the daily smear of ear goo that carried the medication. He particularly disliked the blood pressure pill and had, over the past couple of weeks, let it be known he'd "had enough."

When Michelle noticed he seemed to be having trouble breathing, she had the vet swing by ($251.00). He was accumulating fluid in his lungs and they'd need to be drained regularly for him to remain comfortable. Three days ago he stopped eating and withdrew to a hidey-hole in the former office. His breathing was labored and we could hear the congestion. It was time. Michele (One El) came too. She'd met Belle & Jesse years ago when helping Double El with her new business. She'd also assisted at Belle's crossover.

Jesse & Belle

In the short time I knew him we'd formed a close bond. He slept on the tower next to my bed. In the evening I'd announce "Story Time!" from Michelle's room and a few minutes later he'd settle at the foot of the bed. (The tradition of reading to each other before sleep began decades ago in an ineffectual attempt to interest Double El in illustration work. We still enjoy looking at the pictures.)

He wasn't much given to displays of affection, but every now and then, around 4:00 a.m., he'd tickle my nose with his whiskers to prompt me to lightly scritch his chest and under his chin for a couple of minutes. Once in a while he'd rest the side of his face against my hand.

The doc sat on the couch and used the catheter they'd inserted earlier. The sedative was quick and his body relaxed. Then...the final dose; his light dimmed and winked out. He removed the catheter, gathered the used tape; we thanked him and he left. We sat on as the twitches faded.

The thing is....it never gets any easier.