Today, on January 16, 2025, Cleopatra passed away. She has been struggling with various medical problems for years, and her condition was getting worse. She was having more and more trouble breathing and started losing her appetite. Rather than prolonging her struggles, we decided to provide her with a peaceful end.
How It Started
On April 25, 2010, Mark brought home a stray cat which he picked up at Clark’s Elioak Farm. “Just to give her shelter for a few days until we find her owner,” he said.
This is Mark’s story:
I remember first finding Cleo at the farm. Sandy was holding her in front of the education building, might have been the only time I've ever seen that grouchy old hag smile.
Knowing that there was a huge storm coming, and in utter disbelief that a kitten so sweet, friendly, and well kept, could be a barn cat, we decided to provide her shelter. We put some towels in a wooden milk crate, and first went to the emergency (weekend) vet over on 40 to check for a chip.
None was found, so I called to ask to bring her home. Once home, the little seductress worked her magic on ensuring you and Dad fell in love with her.
We put up fliers that we'd found her, in Dorsey and other places. I remember once, about two weeks later, we got a call saying that maybe someone was claiming her. But it turned out to not be their cat, and I was so happy. After a month, Cleo was truly ours.
She enjoyed a wonderful life, experienced much joy and interesting events. As eventual matriarch of the home, she's left a lasting impression on me, you, Dad, the kids, and many others. I will forever hold her dearly in my heart.
Mark Grivel
The Last Moments
In December 2024 and January 2025, it became more and more obvious that Cleopatra was not doing well. She had been sneezing for years, with increasing problems breathing. Her kidneys were functioning less and less, resulting in her drinking large amounts of water.
Over the January 11 weekend, Cleopatra’s appetite was almost gone. She kept continuously coming back to Nicoline to get her nose wiped. When cutting her nails, we noticed they had barely grown since the last time they were cut. We decided that we would arrange for her to be put to sleep, and shared this with the children.
On January 16, the vet came to our house when we were all back from school and work. She first gave Cleopatra a sedative, making her fall asleep on Nicoline’s lap. Once she was solidly asleep, she followed with an injection that would stop her heart. At 4:45 in the afternoon, Cleopatra was pronounced dead.
Galleries
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