Julius Died Sunday August 19, 2012

Sunday morning as Andrew and I were getting ready to leave for my parents house, we noticed that Julius was acting strangely. He was meowing, which was normal for him but he wasn't walking around which was weird. When I went over to talk to him, I found that he couldn't move his back legs. They were completely lifeless. He seemed to be coming to this realization at about the same time that I was. He starting trying to drag himself around getting more and more upset. I started to cry as I looked for a vet that was open on Sunday. I guess I kind of knew there was not going to be a way to fix whatever was broken. The vet told us that his heart had thrown a clot which had lodge near his spin cutting off circulation to his back legs. Putting him down was really the only thing to do. Andrew got Julius to purr for a minute while we were in the vet office.
There was paperwork, an IV and then his was gone; not scared anymore just gone. I couldn't stop crying, so I just multitasked. Making decisions about cremation. No. What sized bag would you like to take him home in? No bag just the blanket we used to bring him in. The vet hugged me. She seemed really sad.
We buried Julius at my parents house in the garden next to Molly the dog. I called ahead and asked my dad to dig a grave for me. Andrew pointed out that I might want to use a different phrasing. That made me laugh a little but I was still multitasking. When it was time to put him in the ground I asked Andrew and Dad to give me a minute to say goodbye. His body had gone cold and stiff, but I held him close and bawled my heart out. I apparently scarred most of my family away. When I looked up they had all gone inside except Dad and Andrew.
 It's been almost a week now. I miss my fat orange kitty. Andrew misses him too, I know. Ember is very lonely.