Tosca ~ 1999 to 2.05.2012

Tosca passed away peacefully at 9.31pm 2 May 2012.  No struggle. She just took her last few breaths and went away as if sleeping.  In her own pretty way, gracefully and calm.

She developed Thrombosis over the weekend and both legs couldn't walk.  We brought her to the vet on 2 May 2012. The vet was a kind lady who offered to keep her for the day so that we can finish our work.  I have requested not to euthanize her if she is not in great pain and suffering.   I am pro-Life, but anti-suffering.  She survived the day at the vet receiving palliative care of fluid in a lavender aroma nebulized cage and was eager to go home when we were there at 6pm.

Back at home, I took out a nice soft pet bed, and layered it with a few warm pretty towels.  As she looked comfortable, she suddenly vomited all the food and medicine over the bed and towels.  I have to repeat the whole procedure laughing at myself that palliative care was not about looking pretty but must be practical of the situation.  After all the changes, she looked comfortable and breathing normally.

I went for a shower and had some dinner before I decide which sutra I should recite with her.  I decided to recite the Voices of Compassion of Chenrezig and put her in front of me as I recite.

She waited for me to finish reciting the whole sutra at 9pm. She then swallowed some of the mani pills and honey water.  She even stared at Buddha picture with full concentration until her last breath. Amazing. I am sure she can also reach higher rebirth. Rejoice

Yes indeed.  A wonderful lesson from our "mother in law" cat.   Her face is like smiling in her sleep. This to me, is a good death. A learned teacher to send off...   No struggling.  Just peaceful breathing. And finished all the homework.  Tosca just taught me a new lesson on good death..  That death can be Simple and beautiful

Her little coffin laced with sandal wood incense coil.

when she was fierce and irritable

We got Tosca for 220 ringgit on 25 Feb 2000 in a crowded pet shop at Giant JB.  She was caged in a Bird Cage stack in corner with a cage of chickens and birds.  When we got her. She had bird flea and lost all her fur because of skin problems and flea infestation.

Yes. 220 ringgit for 12 years of mother in law cat. Haha. She was not an easy cat  to deal with.

When she has mating in her fur, she would not allow anyone to comb her hair and will scratch me every time she bath. Fussy with food, she didn't like to be carried and touch. But still she is a good cat.  She likes to hide in a corner minding her own business.  Many a times, she hide under the bed and refuse to come out and a morning ritual is to chase her up and down the house to catch her back into the cage