news-record.com

I flicked on the light and locked the door behind me. Turning to enter my apartment, I see Julian running out of my dark bedroom, squinting from the bright light.

He started meowing at me, rolling on the floor to greet me coming home from work.

After weeks of living under my bed, scared of me and just about everything else, he finally felt it was OK to be social, to trust me.

Nearly 10 years ago, that was our first official hello. Wednesday, we had to say goodbye.

I decided the best thing for Julian was euthanasia after a blood clot formed in his left, rear leg. He was in a lot of pain, and there was nothing we could do for him.

We had been keeping his kidney disease in check for nearly a year, and he was diagnosed with heart disease a week before Christmas. He was on medication, so that too was under control.

Or so we thought. The clot formed suddenly Tuesday night, and after my husband and I took him to Happy Tails emergency clinic, we were told the news.

They gave him something to be comfortable, and I took him to my vet, Cobb Animal Clinic, the next day so my personal vet could help me make the decision.

Making the decision wasn’t that hard, it was saying goodbye. I’ve been with Julian for so long, through so much, it was like saying goodbye to a family member, not a pet. 

I got him a month after I started my first job out of college, so it’s hard to remember a time when he wasn’t around. He’s been with me through new jobs, my many moves and many heartaches, and an appendix surgery. Which didn’t stop him from sleeping on my stomach, stitches or no stitches.

All the while, I was there for him, worried about him when he wouldn’t come into my living room for two days, only to learn it was because I left the vacuum cleaner out.

Someone told me once they would get a cat only if the cat was like Julian.

I’d like to think he was a happy cat, even a little spoiled. Julian was special, and I’m thankful I got to share 10 years of my life with him.
 

Here are a few photos I have of him through the years. I have TONS more, but I tried to find some you all weren't use to seeing. These are pre-digital camera days, so I had to scan them all. Please excuse the poor quality.

This is one of my earliest photos of him, which explains the bad quality. Julian would spend hours sleeping or just lounging on the window sills in my Danville apartment. I made sure my next apartment had good windows, just for him.

I would give Julian a can of tuna fish for his birthday, Oct. 8, for years. Until he got too old and it wasn't good for him. He would lick those cans clean.

Julian loved to drink straight from the sink. I allowed it only in the bathroom, and I was quick to turn on the faucet whenever he wanted.

This is a personal favorite of mine. I had it on my office desk for years. He loved to look out my huge patio doors in my Lynchburg apartment. And at times, he had to work his way around the blinds to get a good view.

This is also a favorite, and it breaks my heart the photo didn't come out better. But here he's just being him. A happy cat lounging his day away. I swear I can see a smile on his face.

- The headline I choose for this is from The Beatles song, "Yesterday." Julian was named after John Lennon's first son, and we spent many hours jamming to The Beatles.