Kashmir has been treated for hyperthyroidism and is doing very well. She has calmed down in her elder years but still as sweet as ever to her caretakers.

In Memory

My office feels so empty.  Over the past year, I’ve spent eight hours a day with chausie cat Kashmir by my side while she was in our Comfort Care program. As a senior cat with chronic arthritis, she was under close observation. She was being doted upon and spoiled.

Making the decision to say good-bye is never an easy one – even for us in the rescue field who make these decisions all too often. As Kashmir aged, walking became more painful, sleeping became her primary activity, and even getting up to use the litter box exerted a lot of her energy.

When is it right to say good-bye?  As humans, we second guess everything until we wait too long.  Then, regret overwhelms us.  Over the years, I’ve learned that holding on an extra day or week comforts us, not necessarily them.  That isn’t all bad if our furry friends are comfortable, but none of us want to see them suffer.

So, Kashmir relied on me to determine her timeline. That’s a heavy responsibility, but one that’s an honor.  Having her go peacefully, even if she could hold on a little bit longer, was my goal.  For Kashmir’s sake, I’m hoping I achieved that.

Kashmir was one of the first hybrids in our program. She arrived with three other cats. She’d been surrendered to a humane society for euthanasia due to soiling in the house. Luckily, we were contacted, and Kashmir was able to live a long and loved life.

Kashmir had many favorite things.  She loved hide and seek. When she was young, she’d always hide behind something she could see through. She didn’t know we could see her as well – especially with her feet sticking out!

She loved enrichment and exploring new items, whether it be scents, cat condos, trees or toys.

She also LOVED her beds.  And she could make a bed out of anything. Yet she didn’t mind sharing her sleeping space with a few others.

As she aged and her arthritis got worse, all her caregivers gave her specialized, heated beds in every corner she wanted.  They were always positioned on the floor since Kashmir could no longer jump up on items or walk-up stairs.

Kashmir loved her meals and treats, and that’s when she was most vocal and mobile.  She’d talk, stretch, get out of bed and do her deliberate power walks (though very short).

In the early years, Kashmir was dominant over other cats. Some would say she was a tomboy who would pick on others.

When the pecking order in her bungalow changed, we knew her time was getting close. We moved her into my office where she could be in charge again, and we’d be at her beck and call.  And that was one of my favorite things.

Kashmir had been a constant for the last 18 years for me.  She reminds me of the early years when I was just learning about the domestic/hybrid issue and before we had Hybrid Haven.  I learned quickly that she and the other domestic hybrids were quite different in behavior, diet, health, and especially territorial marking.

And she reminds me of the sanctuary we have built today to accept them for who they are.

Kashmir, my dear friend, you will forever have a favorite place in my heart and in my favorite memories.