Rest in Peace Durango the Cat, 2008-2015

10/16/2015

I lost my beloved cat Durango this morning. He was diagnosed with terminal cancer on Wednesday and given less than two weeks to live. He declined very rapidly, and it was clear that he was preparing for the end. He seemed like he was hanging on just because he didn’t want to disappoint those who loved him. I didn’t want him to suffer, so the vet came to end his suffering this morning, at home, where he passed peacefully. He was seven years and four months old. He died almost exactly on the seventh anniversary of when he came to live with me. I love my kitty, and I will miss him terribly. Rest in peace, Durango. Ave atque vale.

51 Comments

Cathleen

10/16/2015 01:11:36 pm

I am so sorry for your loss. Our animal friends are family members. Everyone grieves differently and that should be respected.

Only Me

10/16/2015 01:14:13 pm

My heart goes out to you. It's never easy to say goodbye to a beloved companion.

J Adamson

10/16/2015 01:27:59 pm

Terribly sad news.

Laetitia

10/16/2015 01:30:14 pm

I am so sorry for your loss.

Dave Birtwell link

10/16/2015 01:30:24 pm

Jason:

I am so very sorry for your loss.

This is the 1st time I am posting to your blog, but felt I had to post to you about the lost of your cat, Durango. My wife and I have lost several cats over the years and know how hard it is.

Dave

Colin Hunt

10/16/2015 01:33:08 pm

What can anyone say? I know what you feel, I am sure I love my cats as much as you, and understand your feelings as I am heartbroken if I loose one f mine, it's a terrible experience to loose such a friend, which I doubt other animal lovers would understand. My advice, get a kitten, fast, it would not replace Durango but will provide much needed companionship and solace.

The troll Krampus

10/16/2015 07:10:53 pm

I would think he would want time to grieve for Durango before getting a new pet.

skathes

10/18/2015 09:12:31 pm

Agreed. Waiting is best. It would be unfair for everyone involved- Jadon and the new fur.

Leveid

10/16/2015 01:33:39 pm

Jason,
I rarely comment here, but I just wanted to say how sorry I am for your loss.

Lev

Pam

10/16/2015 01:47:11 pm

I'm so sorry for your loss. Words seem very inadequate at such a time.

Pam

Pacal

10/16/2015 01:52:10 pm

God! Life can really suck.

Jason my condolences on your loss.

David Bradbury

10/16/2015 01:54:57 pm

My sympathies Jason

Mark

10/16/2015 01:58:02 pm

I'm so sorry for your loss. :(

Platy

10/16/2015 02:24:58 pm

I'm sorry for your loss. :(

Karita

10/16/2015 02:35:56 pm

So so sorry for your loss.

I hope, you have someone to help you through the next hard days. I remember being struck so hard every time by the silence and non-pouncing-behind-the-sofa-ness...

Take care!
Karita

Kathleen Smith

10/16/2015 02:38:40 pm

I am sure you will miss your dear companion. Our little friends hold such big spaces in our hearts. My condolences.

busterggi (Bob Jase)

10/16/2015 02:42:45 pm

Damn.

Dave

10/16/2015 02:50:04 pm

I am sorry for your loss Jason.

John Dunham

10/16/2015 03:10:40 pm

There is nothing that anyone can really say when we lose one of our furry friends. Best wishes to you Jason and know that you did what was best for Durango, and I am certain that you gave him a wonderful if short life.

Greg Little

10/16/2015 03:23:27 pm

Sorry Jason, it's a sad thing that one can only endure. Life is short and the love that pets display and share with us is so meaningful that it seems a huge hole appears when they are gone. But it also allows us to see what's important and what isn't. Best wishes.

Uncle Ron

10/16/2015 03:46:16 pm

Please accept my sincerest condolences on the loss of Durango.
As an owner of many cats and dogs over the past 35 years I know how difficult it is.

CFC

10/16/2015 04:17:07 pm

I'm sure Durango knew how much he was loved.
So sorry Jason.

Zach

10/16/2015 04:44:15 pm

I'm so sorry for your loss Jason. I lost my dogs a couple of years ago, so i understand the pain your going through. My heart goes out to you.

Catmando

10/16/2015 05:01:24 pm

I lost my first cat to cancer nine years ago and still miss him like crazy. His buddy still looks out for him when we mention his name. I send my deepest condolences.

Crash55

10/16/2015 05:05:21 pm

So sorry for your loss.

Shane Sullivan

10/16/2015 05:21:46 pm

My condolences. It just so happens I lost a dog right around the time you met Durango, and I certainly remember that sensation of grief.

Alaric

10/16/2015 05:38:38 pm

I'm very, very sorry. He looks like he was a wonderful cat.

SouthCoast

10/16/2015 06:26:28 pm

I am very sorry to hear this. From his picture, he was one beautiful little guy.

Clete

10/16/2015 06:29:49 pm

My condolences on the loss of your cat, Durango. My wife and I have lost over the last fifteen years two dogs, Jasper and Jo-Jo. The hurting will lessen over time, but will never completely fade. I'm sure your cat felt and returned your love. You may wish, after a while, to adopt another one, not to replace Durango (That is impossible), but to share your life and love with.

Sticker

10/16/2015 08:28:59 pm

I'm so sorry for your loss.

Jason Colavito link

10/16/2015 08:36:22 pm

Thank you to everyone for the condolences. While I am very sad, I am relieved that he isn't suffering anymore. I miss him terribly, and his brother Dakota isn't taking it well, either.

skathes

10/18/2015 09:10:10 pm

They know more than we do. My furry 'children' always seem to have their acknowledgement of grief that cannot be denied. It is visceral and openly shared. Grieve together. As family does.

Tony

10/16/2015 08:43:42 pm

Please accept my sincere condolence.

Graham

10/16/2015 09:29:45 pm

I'm sorry for your loss

10/16/2015 09:32:17 pm

I'm so sorry for your loss. Its never easy loosing a pet.

al etheredge

10/17/2015 03:21:04 am

I'm very sorry for the loss of your cat.

Tony Marino

10/17/2015 04:13:43 am

Let me also give you my condolences to you for your loss. Cats and dogs can become members of the family. I've had a number of cats over the years and I've had that happen to me,too. I hope things get better for you.

Residents Fan

10/17/2015 10:23:10 am

I also wish to add my condolences on the departure of your
cat. The loss of a pet is hard- I've seen friends and relatives lose beloved cats, dogs and rabbits to death, and it is quite
devasting.

Duke of URL VFM#391

10/17/2015 10:32:21 am

Deepest condolences - been there, done that. Best thing for you to do now is go straight to the Animal Shelter and see if one of the cats there speaks to you.

Murgatroyd

10/17/2015 11:24:21 am

So sorry, Jason.

At least you have Dakota ...

Big Fred

10/17/2015 04:31:23 pm

Sorry for your loss Jason. (I lost my dog on 9/11 and still miss him every day.) It'll take a while.

Brian Harris

10/17/2015 06:51:35 pm

So sorry to hear, Jason.

Kal

10/17/2015 08:52:59 pm

What a smart and lovely looking cat! He reminds me of a cat I had as a child, Evie, who lived to old age. Hope you have lots of pictures and videos to remember.

Harry

10/17/2015 10:15:46 pm

Jason,

I am so sorry for both you and Dakota.

crainey

10/18/2015 04:01:46 pm

So sorry. He looks like such a sweet kitty. Rest in peace.

Ian Marchant

10/19/2015 05:12:06 am

I am so sorry to hear of your loss Jason, but it sounds like you did right by him :(

PNO TECH

10/20/2015 09:43:40 am

A furry companion in one's lap while reading makes everything better. My condolences as well, Jason.
Damn but it's dusty in here...

Heike Kubasch

10/20/2015 04:46:08 pm

I am so sorry for your loss. We just lost one of our cats so I know what you are going through

Dora

10/21/2015 12:22:46 am

So sorry for your loss, Jason... Having a pet is such wonderful thing, we have deep emotional connections with animals, so, when they are not there it really hurts.... But he knew he was love very much and enjoyed life. Beautiful cat, amazing eyes, gentle and wise.

Mark Lahren

10/28/2015 01:19:33 am

My sincere condolences on your loss of Durango.
While I do disagree with you on the subject of how many people actually believe certain TV shows, I think that our disagreements need to be put aside when it comes to our loved ones.

I lost my cat Buck on August 7, 2015 due to kidney failure. He was 19, and I bottle fed him when he was 5 weeks old (too young to be taken from his mother). He was a fantastic companion. I wish I could have been a better caretaker for him.

One thing in which animals far exceed their humans is that they are incapable of being deceptive or malicious. They are exactly what they appear to be. I cannot imagine better qualities in any other form of companion. I am human. I am flawed. My cat was not.

Mark Lahren

10/31/2015 12:53:00 am

Jason,
After further thought, I apologize for placing a memorial for my own cat in this thread, but I got carried away by my own emotions.

I'd really like it if you could post some kind of a story about you and Durango sometime, as a lot of us are animal lovers, and would enjoy reading about the relationship you and he shared. Just a thought.