The story of an elderly California woman and her senior cat who died on the same day has touched the hearts of many who know the power of the bond between humans and their animal companions. The woman was the grandmother of Judy Caponigro, who first wrote about her remarkable grandmother and her best friend, Gabby the cat, for the Dodo.
“Four hours after my grandma’s 15-year-old cat died, my grandma passed away, too, and I don’t think it was a coincidence,” Caponigro explains in her moving account of her grandmother’s last day. The two had grown old together, and when the end finally came for Gabby, her owner took her to the vet to have her put to sleep. She returned home, exhausted and grief stricken and died soon afterwards.
“I like to think that Gabby was there in spirit to comfort Grandma as she took her last breath, just as Grandma did for Gabby a few hours earlier. They are buried together, and I’m certain their bond is still just as strong as it was when they were two little old ladies loving life and each other,” Caponigro told the Dodo. She also shared photos of the two together, including a photo taken of Gabby on on her last day.
According to the article in the Dodo, which was also shared on Love Meow, Gabby was two years old when she was adopted by Caponigro’s grandparents. “When they brought her home, she immediately went upstairs, found a bed to curl up on and made herself comfortable. She knew she was in the right place — for a nap and for life.”
When Caponigro’s grandfather died, the elderly widow and her cat moved into an apartment complex for seniors where the two grew old together and were visited by Caponigro, who was inspired by their loving relationship. “I knew that as soon as I was able to get my own pet, I would. I wanted the same companionship and unconditional love that Grandma and Gabby offered each other. Until the very end, Gabby spent her days hanging out with Grandma and her nights walking on Grandma’s head while she tried to sleep. You know, typical roommate stuff.” The pair were inseparable: “two sweet old ladies who enjoyed each other’s company” to their final day together.
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