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Beloved Trevor aka "Mr. Mom" - Rest in Peace

May 1, 2009 -
I never imagined this would be my precious Trevor's last day here with me. When we left home this morning he was his typically vocal self, unhappy to be in his carrier going to the vet.

I was not surprised when the vet told me he needed a dental; I was taking him because of his bad breath. I left him without a thought, planning to pick him up around dinner time.

The next time I saw Trevor he had 3 veterinarians and 3 technicians working on him. Coming out of the anesthesia, his heart had simply stopped. His vet got it restarted then immediately called me -- in the 20 minutes I spent there with him he seemed to stabilize. I gave him a "pep talk" about hanging in there and staying with me, then left to the words " He has a 50-50 chance". That was at 3:30 PM - the last time I saw my beloved Trevor alive.

At 5:03 PM the vet called again - Trevor's heart had stopped once more. He asked if I wanted him to try again to resuscitate him, knowing it would likely be futile. I said "No" - I could bear to let my precious companion suffer anymore. I was at his side 10 minutes later, crying all the way.

I held his warm body to mine and sobbed. Not for Trevor - he was in a much better world than he'd ever had here. But for myself, and for his 4 feline brothers who I know will miss him. Especially Buffy, to whom Trevor was always "Mr. Mom". I weep for the loss of Trevor's precious being, for the love and comfort he gave me for nearly 5 years. I'm grieving for myself.

Trevor lost his eyes at the age of about eight weeks, when steroid eyedrops were accidentally used and destroyed the eye tissue so both eyes had to be removed. When I adopted him from his foster mom at the age of 7 months he had incredible "vision" -- he looked everyone straight in the eye when they spoke his name. He learned to climb his 6' tall cat tree, never missed the litterbox, and certainly never missed a meal -- he weighed just shy of 20 love-filled pounds today.

Despite being a neutered male, Trevor believed he was meant to be "mom". He let dozens of foster kittens "nurse" on him, he "bathed" every cat he came in touch with -- my 9 months old Buffy was "nursing" on him just last night. As the baby, I'm sure Buffy will miss his big love-filled companion most of all.

My vet, who I'd trust with my life, suspects Trevor had an undiagnosed heart condition, likely cardiomyopathy. He'd had a dental cleaning in Feb. 2008 with no problem and blood work just this morning - everything appeared just fine.

I have to believe that for some unknown reason Trevor was needed more elsewhere than I needed him here. Perhaps to comfort a sad kitten or cat who recently passed over, or to prevent Trevor himself from suffering here with something unknown. I can only take comfort in the fact that he passed over the Rainbow Bridge without ever waking from the anesthesia so he left this world without pain.

The pain remains here with those of us who knew and loved him. I know he was welcomed by a flock of the endless babies he loved and nurtured ... Now he can be their "Mr. Mom" once again.