Goodbye Całka
Intro
Last Saturday, 17th October 2020, Całka (one of my two cats) had to be put to sleep. Name Całka translates from Polish to English as Integral. I and my (at that time) girlfriend were maths undergrads when we’ve taken Całka from an animal shelter in early 2016. That probably explains the name.
For the last two months, Całka fought with really nasty jaw bone cancer. It was growing fast. It was too big to even consider surgery. She was given painkillers regularly and some other drugs but nothing more can be done in this case. She was very strong. She fought twice as long as she was expected to by the vet. At the point when she start to eat less, we’ve made the decision.
Adoption
In late 2015 our first cat Leon have been in depression. In early 2016, after trying a few collars with pheromones we’ve decided to adopt a kitten from an animal shelter. We went for a tiny kitten but we came back with six kilograms (thirteen pounds) adult cat. She was the first cat that was introduced to us in the shelter. We were skeptical but after she was given to me and she started purring we’ve changed our minds.
When we come home Całka was almost twice as big as our first cat! She was a bit lazy in comparison to Leon. Fortunately the main activity for Leon was to fight and run with Całka. After about two weeks Całka started to jump and run. In the beginning, she was just laying on her back and try to fight back using only her paws but without moving the body.
Recollections
Całka didn’t behave like a regular cat. She liked to come to you and cuddle. She was purring very loud! As opposite Leon can be barely touched and only when he wants to.
Back then when I was back home from university and there was another long night ahead I liked to take a short nap. Całka almost always joined me for those naps improving a lot quality of my sleep.
Całka could open closed doors. She was jumping on the door handle, catch it and hang on it until the door will open. She was a very smart cat. Also, she was always hungry. Usually, she ate her meal and Leon’s.
She was always very friendly to all our guests. She always would come to the door when someone was coming. She usually jumps on the guest’s laps, start purring and waits to be pet.
When my son has started to walk our cats had a hard time. Even then Całka was very patient. She let him lay down on her, grab her tail and paws. She never bites or scratches him though she had a few good excuses to do so.
Goodbye
I think Całka was a very exceptional cat maybe because she didn’t act like a regular cat. Before her, I wasn’t a cat person but she definitely changed me. The final day was very hard for me and my family but it was the only option. She couldn’t eat and she was lying even though she was not sleeping. It was bad.
I’ll never forget you, Całcia!
