Today marks the end of an era. Just an hour ago, my beloved feline companion, Voulis Beelzebub, the Prince Fabulous, passed away after approximately 19 years of life. I never learned his exact age, as he was a rescued cat, but they told me he was about 4-5 when I adopted him. We'd been living together since 2000.

You can read Voulis' story here:
http://ameblo.jp/sakurasomnium/entry-11790602652.html

He refused to eat since last night and today he tried drinking milk, but instead he stumbled and fell in the bowl several times. I had to attend a friend's birthday party tonight until late, so I left him sleeping on the kitchen floor, hoping he would be better later. He was weak this last month and every possible old age symptom appeared out of nowhere, although he had been moderately fine until a month ago.

I came home and he was lying on the floor in the exact same position I'd left him. He was still breathing. I made him notice me and stroked his head. He shook his right paw, reaching for my hand. I tried to give him milk with a syringe but he didn't react. Instead, he stretched his neck to the back, he started having spasms, stretched his mouth open and finally a deep breath. His whiskers trembled subtly for a while, while his eyes were fixed on me. Then he stopped breathing.

今日は大切な仲間は亡くなりました。素敵王子のＶｏｕｌｉｓ　Ｂｅｅｌｚｅｂｕｂは１９年の後なくなりました。捨てられたネコだったから、年齢はきちんと知らなかったけど４－５歳の時から出会った。２０００から一緒に暮らしていた。

Ｖｏｕｌｉちゃんのストーリはこちらへ：
http://ameblo.jp/sakurasomnium/entry-11790602652.html

昨日からなにも食べなくて、今日は牛乳を飲もうとした時、ボールの中で顔で落ちてた。今日は友達の誕生日パーティだったから遅くまで外に居た。かれはずっと寝て、帰るまで多分回復すると希望してた。最後の一ヶ月Ｖｏｕｌｉは色々苦しんでいた。その時までだいたい元気だったのに。。。

家に帰って、彼は同じ位置でキッチンの床で居た。こんばんはを言って、彼はソフィア帰ったと気づいて右の手を動かして、私の手を掴んだ。少しミルクをあげようとしたけど、リアクションがなかった。そして、喉を後ろまでのばして、手と足を伸ばしてスパズム（発作？）あった。そして深いな呼吸。私の目を見ながら呼吸は止んでしまった。

[picture I took yesterday, when we took Vouli to the vet. He walked a bit and relaxed in her yard]
「昨日の写真。医者に行った時Ｖｏｕｌｉは医者の庭で少し散歩をした）

He had always been a gentleman with fine manners and he proved it until his last breath. He fought to stay alive, waiting for me,, so he wouldn't look rude, leaving without a last goodbye. The Prince Fabulous will be dearly missed. No one will ever be as fabulous as him. A rebel aristocrat and my only love at first sight.

彼はずっと完璧な礼儀のジェントルマンだったから、最後の呼吸までジェントルマンだった。ソフィアは帰るまで頑張って待っていて、帰った後すぐに。。。さようならなしで亡くなったら失礼な男に見えると思っていたから、私に待ってくれた。永遠に素敵王子様。そして私のたった一つの一目惚れ。

As of today, I have a Ghost Cat. Ironically enough, very fitting.
Rest in peace, Vouli.

では、今日から私はゴーストネコが居ます。皮肉だけど、そうです。
さようなら、Ｖｏｕｌｉ．

[photos from 2009]

Goodbye Vouli