We said goodbye to Data on Tuesday. Our veterinarian was extremely compassionate and made it as easy as possible for us. There were even a few laughs among the tears. We all took a shot for Data after. I love our vet. That helped – their compassion and care.
We ate dinner out. Arriving home, the house didn’t feel extremely different without Data there because he’s been so ill and not himself, holed up in a room for a few months. That helped – that it didn’t feel like a big change.
We took his food and litter box out of our bedroom, and cleaned the carpet and the sheets and blankets, then played with the kittens and Khali and had a few laughs. That helped – the distraction and joy of their shenanigans.
We got in to bed early, and I started thinking about all the fun memories with Data. THERE ARE SO MANY. I put his name in the search bar on my blog and was laughing about some of his antics as I went to bed. That helped – looking at photos of him during healthier times, and remembering all the joy he brought to our lives! Gosh, I’m so glad I shared all those stories here!!!
During the day, I had reached out to my family and friends to let them know what was going on. I received thoughtful texts and emails all day. That helped – their care and thoughtfulness. I’m glad I let people know what was going on, instead of holing up, myself. The outpouring of love, along with people sharing their stories and normalizing it for me – yes – really helped.
I don’t think it’s quite sunken in that he’s gone yet, though.
We adopted Data (via proxy, ha) on February 12, 2005 in Ames, Iowa. Here’s his adoption story! He lived with us for over thirteen years – and he lived with Steven longer than I have! We think Data was about fifteen years old. He lived a happy, long life with us, and brought us so much joy and entertainment (!!!)!
It’s helpful for me to think about my favorite Data stories as I mourn, and here is a long list of them, in chronological order (of when I posted about them).
Thank YOU for your compassion and love. It means so much to me!
Favorite Data Memories:
- February 2005 – when I first adopted him and got to have him in my apartment in Ames, Iowa for a few days before Steven picked him up and took him to Chicagoland. I was so excited to come home after class!
- Sometime 2006 – That time I was talking to Steven on the phone while he got ready for work and he “lost” Data. Steven had to retrace his morning routine steps to find him, and found him sitting in the bathroom cabinet, like, “oh, hey!”
- September 2007 – when we had family over the day after our wedding and Data sat in the middle of present opening. I loved that he always wanted to be around people!
- April 2008 – that time I threw two different colored balls down the stairs and told him to bring back his favorite color and he brought back both of them.
- Sometime 2009 – how Data would show off for guests by getting on top of the fridge and running along the top of the cabinets.
- April 2010 – how he’d walk and run on a leash.
- November 2010 – when he dabbled in fashion design and all we could do was laugh about it.
- December 2010 – how he was ALWAYS stealing Steven’s seat on the couch! Ha ha ha. (pic below from 2018)
- March 2011 – all the times he choose to sit with me or lay on me and made me feel special/loved.
- December 2011 – when I called all the boys to the dining room for a family photo and Data was already there, waiting on the chair. This picture cracks me up SO. HARD.
- May 2012 – that time he completely surprised me by pulling my diamond stud earring out of my ear, to get me to wake up.
- July 2012 – how he LOVED the Datsun.
- October 2014 – how he loved to jump under the sheets when we were making the bed (he’d usually go on his back and have all four feet up in the air).
- April 2016 – how he’d come running when he’d hear the ice maker working, but totally did not care about the actual ice, at all.
- May 2016 – how he LOVED to help with projects. We did so many, they totally didn’t phase him. He was usually upset if he could not get in on the action!
- May 2016 – the time he sent me a Mother’s Day card about how awesome HE is. Ha.
- May 2016 – how he’d perk up and come running when he heard ANY bag he thought was a bag of popcorn.
- June 2016 – when he and Steven wore matching ties (made by me!) to the vet, and the vet posted about it on their social media. Data was known there as “the cat who wears a tie” and it made me feel special each time they’d ask about it when I’d call.
- August 2016 – the time he went “skydiving” through the ceiling and walked it off like it was no big deal he just fell nine feet.
- January 2017 – how he’d sit on the heating vents in the winter.
- November 2017 – when we hosted Thanksgiving last year, and the kids were running laps around the main floor, and he sat in a chair to watch them, swatting (playfully) at the youngest (slowest) kid each time.
- December 2017 – the ongoing saga between him and his three ex-wives – Broomy, Broomula, and Judy.
- April 2018 – how he loved being a big brother to Khali and had more energy when she joined our family (in February 2017). He used to hide behind things to jump on us, which made us laugh, but once she moved in, he started doing it to her (which also made us laugh).
- All the time – how we’d play the “peek around the corner” game with him, and he’d always get curious enough to come running toward us.
- How I had him pose for so many dumb things on this blog that I have a zillion goofy pics of him!
Much love to you on the passing of Data…it’s so hard to say goodbye to our pets, but you gave him such a great life!
Thank you! I think we did too! He was a spoiled little sh*t 🙂 <3
SO sorry Kim & Steven – You provided Data a wonderful adventurous life and he brought you such happiness and laughs. Sounds like a perfect match!
Thank you! He was! And it made me so happy that he lived with Steven for a few years before I finished college. I think that was a good bounding time for them!!!
My sincerest condolences. Losing someone is so damn hard 🙁
Rest in peace Data – it was a life well lived!
Thank you! It is!
You guys gave him such a great life. Thanks for sharing him with us, Kim. Rest in peace sweet Data.
Thanks! We loved to spoil him. And you’re welcome – I was glad to!
I loved seeing all of the pictures of Data and hearing his stories. He is so lucky to have found such great parents!! And I know he loved you both and his sissy very much. There are people out there that do not understand how deeply we love and how deeply we grieve our cats(and dogs). They have never known the great and unconditional love given to us by our furry children. Much love and hugs to you and Steven.
I am glad you enjoyed them! (because if anything, it definitely showed ME the value of them for myself, so the stories will keep coming with the rest of the clan!)
Yeah, there are people like that. There is someone I won’t tell about this because of inconsiderate comments they’ve made about animals before. Sad for them. They add so much to our lives.
Thank you! <3
Awwww, I love reading all of the Data stories! 🙂 I definitely remember him jumping up on the cabinets at your old townhouse the first time I came over (I think summer of 2013?).
I’m glad the vet’s office made saying goodbye as easy as possible, and I’m happy that reading through old posts and thinking of old memories is helping to comfort you.
You guys gave Data such a good life – you were all lucky to have each other 🙂
Yay, I am glad 🙂 He was SUCH a show-off, right? LOL. What a goober.
A friend who recently lost her animal was telling me the things her vet did to ease the pain and I was hoping our vet would too, and of course they did! She didn’t mention any shots though. LOL.
Thanks! We were <3
My heart is breaking for you and Steven. He couldn’t ask for a better life though! I am so glad you blogged about Data so much and that you shared him with us. Reading this post made me laugh through my tears. Sending love and hugs to all of you!
Thanks, and thank you for all of your support and love over the years and especially recently. Your friendship means a lot to me!
I am glad the post gave you some laughs, too! It’s helping me to laugh a little. Thank you! <3
I’m so sorry for your loss. I loved reading Data stories through the years on your blog and it was so clear that he was such an important part of your life. I’m glad the vet was so wonderful, it makes doing a hard thing just a little easier. I’ll be thinking of you …
Thank you! I am glad you liked him. And that it was obvious how important he was to us! 😀 Thanks <3
He was such an awesome cat!! What great memories. He has been so loved and spoilt for so much of his life what a lucky chap. Hugs to you and Stephen
He was! He had such a fun personality (to us anyway, ha!). I love that you called him chap <3 Thanks!
Awww…I love reading through these stories and seeing all of the old pictures. The relationship that you had with Data was so incredibly special and sweet. Also—you and Steven are amazing parents to each of your babies 🙂
I’m glad you liked the stories! And thanks – we love loving on our babies! How is yours?
Trying to live every day with her in the moment and not getting too far ahead of myself in either direction if that makes sense (other than the normal planning like med refills, vet visits, etc). We travel home A LOT during football season so she is loving all of the attention by my family 🙂
Yeah, it totally makes sense- we were doing the same. I am glad she is getting all the love from everyone!!!
I was worried this post was coming 🙁 I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m glad you had such a good vet to go through all of this with – that does make a huge difference. Data lived a wonderful life thanks to you! Sending you so much love <3 <3 <3
Thank you! The vet really did help. The assistant who would always help with Data stayed late to say goodbye to him, which I thought was so sweet.
Thanks <3 <3 <3
All of these memories are so wonderful to read – I too busted up seeing him pose so perfectly for that family picture. Of course he was there, you called all the boys, right? 🙂
I’m glad so many things are helping you get through this; he had a great gig with you and Steven, and I love that he returned the love in so many ways.
I am glad that made you laugh! And yes, he was being a good listener – I had to keep pestering the human boys but he stayed there and waited patiently!
Me too. I feel grateful and loved!!!
You guys saved Data and gave him such a wonderful home…I’m sorry your time with him was too short (it always is)
Me too. And it IS! It really is. They need to live as long as us 😉
I’m so sorry, Kim. One of the biggest comforts to me was going through all my pictures and stories of Dutch and remembering all the great times we had together. It was hard to remember that in the end because he was not himself at all!
You and Steven gave Data such a great life and that’s all we can do for our beloved pets. The pain of losing them is so great, but you will get through it. Love on your kitties and spend as much time grieving Data as you need to. <3
I am glad you had that to go through! Weren’t you just so grateful you did? I sure was. It’s helping so much. And it does comfort me seeing him be him old self and thinking “wow, it really WAS time.” Cause there was some guilt. I hope it comforted you in that way too, if you needed it.
Thank you! <3
So sorry to hear about Data. Good cat. Loved cat. Missed cat.
Thanks <3
I remember you telling the “lost” story! Reading it again here made me laugh! It’s wonderful that you have this space that houses so many great memories and photos. Hugs to all of you. I’ve been in your shoes and found that remembering a silly or cute thing my pups did when I was sad and missing them really does help.
I am glad it made you laugh! I have so many goofy stories about him that I love to tell (over and over to anyone who will listen, ha). And it helps SO DAMN MUCH. I’m thankful for that. Hugs to you too <3
I remember that family portrait – that was so funny!!!
Data was a great cat. I know you’ll miss him.
Big hugs
It will ALWAYS make me laugh!!!!!
Thanks, hugs to you too <3
I never saw the Data fashion designer post till now! I was laughing out loud in the middle of the airport. Haha!!!!
I am glad it made you laugh! He used to chew on/through everything!!!
I was thinking about how he used to love sitting on the car, and how you would take him on walks on the leash!
He just LOOOOOVED the Datsun, which made us laugh, since he hated the other car. I guess the Datsun never took him to the vet!
I am so sorry for your loss. All these memories made me smile. He had such a wonderful life with you two.
Thanks! I am glad it made you smile – he did have a wonderful life!
I’m so sorry to hear about this 🙁 Thank you for sharing all those wonderful memories! He sounds like a really special cat and it sounds like he had a great life with you.
Thank you 🙂 He was! He had a big personal and we had a lot of fun with him 🙂