Gus Kitty

I have two cats, but really they have me. Gus and George totally own me. George is the new guy. He will be be 2 in September, he's a Virgo just like me. We "get" each other.

Then there's Gus kitty. Her formal name is, Augustina Marie. Yes, I said her name. She is 13 years old, a Persian mix and a Capricorn.

Long ago, when we first adopted this little ball of fur, we were told that she was a he. It is sometimes difficult to determine the sex of small kittens, as their anatomy is not as visible as that of a dog, for example. Gus was extra tiny. We believe she was weened from her own mother too early. I instantly became her new mommy and that's the way its been ever since. We were informed at time of adoption that Gus was just given her first round of vaccinations. She needed to be seen by a veterinarian in 8 weeks. Meanwhile, this highly intelligent cat immediately took to the name, Gus.

All was fine until we had our first appointment with the vet. Gus was examined, weighed, blood was drawn, all the routine stuff. Then my vet took a deep breath, with a straight face, looked me right in the eye and said, "I am sorry to have to tell you this but, Gus has no testicles."

"Oh my God!" I responded.

The vet continued, "That's okay, because Gus is a female." My vet, the comedian!

Gus is psychic or at the very least very in tune. She knows before I come home that I'm coming. Always waiting at the door for me. If I'm sad, she tries to cheer me up. If I cry, it drives her crazy! If I'm sick she WILL NOT leave me. Not even for her favorite thing, food! Let's just say, Gus kitty is rather big boned.

Recently, I noticed Gus seemed trim. Then I noticed the clumps in the litter box getting larger and larger, her thirst increasing. Not the occasional hairball, she began vomiting regularly. Her mouth was swollen. Her coat lost its shine, she had dandruff. Not a joke this time, Gus has Feline PKD (Polycysitc Kidney Disease) a common genetically inherited disease among Persians. She's dying. It is unlikely however, that she will die of PKD. Usually, it is the complications due to renal failure that are fatal.

The most gentle creature I've ever known. To me, she is not just a cat. Gus is my fury middle child. She is a loved member of our family. I am so grateful for all the wonderful years we've had together and I will treasure her always.

Love knows no limits.

Love is shared and given.

Love never dies.