Six years ago today I took Thatch to City Vet to check out his heart murmur via echocardiogram. I posted on Facebook: a problem with the muscle controlling the left ventricle of his heart, which is already too thick, will continue to affect his blood flow. He will be on a daily medication for the remainder of his life to slow the heart rate to slow down the muscle's thickening, eventually closing down the ventricle and killing him.
I have no idea what this means for his mortality or his longevity, but a part of me died today. I will love him, care for him, and pray to God that he has a long and healthy life.
He's now lived longer than I expected, and I hope this continues for a lomg, long time. I will admit that every morning I look for him first thing to assure myself he's still with me.