Peaches Pope (2010 - 2026)

I blogged about Milo in February 2025. Unfortunately, now just over a year later, we lost Peaches. 

Born July 2, 2010, Peaches died this morning, Thursday, May 21, 2026. This is especially difficult because I am in San Diego and unable to engage in traditional grief ceremonies. 

I speak and write about critical illness and death all the time. But this still hits hard. Peaches greeted me every morning and every time I came home. And we ended each day with extended head, cheek, and throat petting.

After a battery of tests, the veterinarians put Peaches on hospice in March. So, this was not unexpected. And I am so pleased to have had the last 2 months with Peaches. Knowing that time was limited, we spoiled him extra, buying more food flavors and more toys. 

But for the appetite stimulant Mirazapine, we likely would have lost Peaches much earlier. We had grown accustomed to the daily and then every-other-day ritual of rubbing this cream on the inside of his ear. 

We were a little conflicted about "forcing" him to eat when his body and mind told him "no." But Peaches still enjoyed all his activities: (a) sitting in the sun, (b) scratch pad, (c) petting, (d) eating, (e) treats, and (f) toys. And he was social. He constantly stayed and came near us and did not retreat and hide until the last 24 hours.  

I will miss you Peaches. You had a complete cat life for an Orange Tabby. I hope I was as good a pet parent as I tried and wanted to be.