Augustus

Augustus is dedicated to the memory of my fiancée (Mirrinaattori) and my late cat Paavo-Aukusti who passed away on January 11, 2015 at the age of five years and nine months.

He was born on March 19, 2009 at 1:02am to my first cat Vilsu. He wasn't breathing when he was born but he had a strong will to live as my mom was able to get him breathe again. He grew up to be like any other kitten but in the end turned out to be very unique.

Paavo proved to be everything a cat isn't supposed to be, stereotypically speaking. He saw every human as a potential new friend and thought of us as his equals (instead of some inferior species like his mother does). He actively sought for attention and eye contact without even a tinge of defiance. Every ounce of affection he received he returned in double. He had so much love it was overflowing.

Paavo survived many ordeals during his relatively short life. He got hit by a car and yet he got away with only bruises and a chipped tooth. He was attacked by someone or something unknown but we are quite sure it was a human. It was a very close call but he made it. He wanted to live.

But few days before the New Year, still the year being 2014, Paavo started showing symptoms implying urinary problems. He was taken to the vet and we found out his urinary track was clogged. A week later another visit was necessary since his muckus membranes had basically glued shut from mere irritation, making it very difficult and painful for him to pee. Another week later, he still wasn't better and we took him to the vet again.

And we came back home without him.

Paavo's urinary tracks were so badly clogged that there was pretty much nothing to be done. Even a surgery would've been a temporary solution. He would have required cathetering every week.

It wouldn't have been a pleasant life.

So we did the most painful and heart-wrenching decision a pet owner could ever make. We decided to let Paavo fall asleep for the last time. He deserved not to be in pain.

It was terrible. We had decided to do everything we could to make him get better but then we were told even that wasn't enough. It made us feel so helpless. In the end, we couldn't help our dear, beloved cat.

But to live a life where an everyday action was only a source of pain and severe discomfort would have been... awful. We couldn't possibly let Paavo live a life like that.
So we decided to do him the last favor and let him pass away, painlessly. He deserved that much.

Despite being one small cat, Paavo left a huge void behind. A void that's now filled with memories of him. The good and the not so good. But they are now all that's left of him.

I will never forget him and while this sadness will one day fade away, he will always be missed by us and many others.
Hopefully he's now in that mythical better place, watching over us with that all too familiar smile on his face.

We had good times together during those years we had. They shall always remain as my most cherished memories.

Sleep well, Paavo. We'll love you always.

"Sleep, sugar, let your dreams flood in
Like waves of sweet fire, you’re safe within"
- Sleep by Poets of the Fall