A heartfelt tribute to our beloved 18-year-old cat Teica, who fought bravely like a lioness and filled our lives with unconditional love
The picture is the property of the author of this article
Medium members read the full post here.
Written by Xena
In Loving Memory of Our Beloved Cat Teica
This article is dedicated to our 18-year-old cat Tea, called Teica, who will live in our hearts forever, even after she’s no longer with us.
I believe all of us, at least once in our lives, have faced the heartbreaking illness of a family member. The pain, sadness, and helplessness can be overwhelming. And when it comes to a beloved pet, who is also part of the family, the intensity of that sadness and pain doesn’t lessen.
We want to help that helpless creature, or at least ease their suffering a bit, but we often find ourselves powerless. And the thought that the moment of farewell may have come is what hurts the most.
This is exactly what happened with our dear and sweet cat, Teica, who had been saved from the jaws of certain death by veterinarians — and perhaps by the grace of God — six times already.
Now, everyone at the veterinary clinic calls her “The Lioness” because she fights for her life like a lioness and has an excellent reason to. Teica has been pampered and loved all her life — all 18 years of it (which is equivalent to 88 in human years) — and never lacked for anything.
Although she lives with three other cats in the house, and there are three more outside who respect and admire her for being the eldest (cats understand hierarchy well), Teica has always been special. She has shown this since her earliest days.
The picture is the property of the author of this article
She’s always acted atypically for a cat. Honestly, her behavior is more like that of a dog. She’s always been attached to me (and later to my partner) and would follow me everywhere, just like a little puppy.
She craved affection and attention and was happiest when I took her into my lap and petted her. She would then purr loudly, like a small tractor. If anyone in the family got sick and lay in bed, she would stay with them for days, as if trying to absorb all the negative energy and heal her human.
Whenever we came back from a trip, she would sleep with us at night, making sure we held her paw to assure her that we were there and wouldn’t leave her. If we dozed off and let go of her paw, she would start meowing until we held it again — and this would continue for nights on end. Only when she felt reassured that we were truly there, and not leaving her with the “cat-sitter,” would she agree to sleep in her own fluffy bed.
For every bit of love she received, she gave back tenfold. That’s just how Teica has always been — loyal, devoted to our family, and filled with unconditional love for her humans.
Then, one day, just shy of 18 years, she fell ill. She can no longer see or hear, her teeth and back legs don’t work as they should, and the vets say that in addition to neurological issues, her kidneys, heart, and lungs are slowly failing.
The picture is the property of the author of this article
According to them, surgery is out of the question. Due to her age and her fragile body, weakened by illness, she would likely pass away on the operating table.
So now, she only receives medication to help maintain some quality of life. With their help, she walks, eats, uses the litter box, and seeks out cuddles. She doesn’t feel pain, nor is she suffering.
How long will this last? I don’t know. All I know is that we must help her and repay her for all the love she’s given us over the years.
We pray to God to keep her with us as long as possible, without pain or suffering. And Teica has a powerful reason to live — our endless, unconditional love, which she feels deeply and which keeps her going. She will live in our hearts forever, as long as we are here.
If you want to support my work buy me a coffee for $1.
Greetings and until my next article!
Neo77
