Oh how I loved this cat! He was the fluffiest, sweetest little feller. And he was such a great companion over the past decade and a half. He lived most of his life with me in NYC, but even came with me to school in Providence for a couple of years. When my mom got sick about 7 months ago, I brought him with me back to my mom's house in New Haven, where he'd been ever since.
He seemed to be doing just fine up until about 5 days ago, when he became very lethargic, reclusive, and seemed unable to open his eyes all the way. I brought him to the vet, where they discovered from an ultrasound that he had numerous tumors in his liver and pancreas. They recommended I put him down, but my mom and I decided to bring him home so he could die in a familiar place. They gave us some heavy-duty painkillers, Buprenex, which I squirted between his cheek and gums about every six hours or so. He never really seemed to be in pain, but he became so weak that he could barely walk. Just earlier this evening, I called him from across the room: "Ollie, Ollie!" in the usual goofy falsetto. And for the first time in several days, he came over!
I got him a from a no-kill shelter in New York, an outfit called "Being Kind", which I think has since changed its name. They told me he was rescued from the roof of a gas station in Harlem, where he lived with a bunch of other strays. Neighbors had tried to poison the whole lot of them, but one intrepid volunteer came and rescued him and I think a few others. The card taped to his cage said something like, "Oliver: I'm a sweet cat that can live alone or with other cats...so give me a chance!" So I did. One of the best decisions I've ever made.
UPDATE: I'm quite moved by all the condolences in the comments, and want to say a profound thank you to the well-wishers here - it means so much to me. I'm still a bit weepy, so it's hard responding to everybody. I would definitely like to reply to all who stop in, but I think I need to do it in shifts, because I'm getting a bit overcome. The outpouring of love and sympathy from all of you just proves what a magical place this "Teh Daily Kos" is. Much love to you all. You have no idea how grateful I am. xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
UPDATE: Just received this priceless gem from Diogenes2008, possibly the world's greatest Kosack: