06 January 2009

Furgood Marshall


Sad post today. This morning I had to send Furgie the cat to the Bridge. She would have been 20 (!) in March. She'd been doing quite well, but over the weekend she had an abrupt decline. Do cats get strokes? She was very confused and unhappy and not eating. And this is the first time in nearly two decades she didn't want to eat, so I knew it was time. She went very quickly and peacefully.
Furg's full name was Furgood Marshall; like my other pets, she was named after a Supreme Court Justice. She was born sometime in March in Lincoln, Nebraska, and I adopted her from the humane society there in March 1989. She was older than some of my students. She was a smart cat who learned to open our French doors and loved to play fetch with plastic milk rings. She put up with 3 huge dogs and 2 unruly children.

11 comments:

Crowzma said...

I'm so sorry. Rest in peace, Furgie. What a run you had here!

mim said...

I'll add my RIP for Furgood, too. Our furry friends give us a lot and it's nice to know that she went peacefully and quickly.

KarmasKreations said...

So sorry, sis. I remember when she was a tiny little kitten. Remember how she used to bat at Billie's fluffy tail, get her nails stuck in it, and then get helplessly dragged across the floor (all the while Billie didn't even notice)?! (-;

Yes, cats can have strokes. I'm glad that it happened before you left the country. She can keep my Magritte and Sylvia company now at the Rainbow bridge.

Southern Latitudes said...

Dang it, not Furgie too!!! This has been such an awful start to 2009.

I'm so sorry to see this Phyllis. Sending my condolances.

Phyllis said...

Thank you, guys. :-) I miss her a lot, but nearly 20 years is a lot more than I ever expected to get to spend with her!

KarmasKreations said...

Mom said that pic is of Furg last year and I have to say that she looked amazingly good for a cat of that age! When cats even live to be in their late teens, they're usually so bony, scrawny, have really poor coat quality, and sunken in eyes. I never would have guessed her correct age by looking at her.

Knatolee said...

What a wonderful cat she was, and what a wonderful life she had. Here's to a great kitty, with a great name, who had a great family who loved her very much. Hugs...

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry to hear that, but I have to say, she was in wonderful condition and had a real amazing age for a cat!
hope she rests in peace and that you and the things are not to sad!
And yes, cats can have a stroke!

Hugs

Eve

Phyllis said...

More thanks. You guys are great. :-)

Yes, the pic is from last March, when she turned 19. She was in really good shape until very recently. It's a pretty good way to go: have a loooong healthy life, and only get sick at the very end.

Steersbylitning said...

Aww, Phyllis, I'm sorry (very belatedly) to learn that Furgie has gone to the Bridge. But wow, almost 20 and doing well for almost her entire life was a wonderful accomplishment. We miss you on CANINE-L.

Phyllis said...

Thank you! Yeah, we can't complain about almost 20 good years, can we? Still, I miss her. And I miss canine-l! Someday my life will simplify enough to return, right?