When Quin Gable spoke about going on one "final trip" with her cherished cat, Otto, who had been battling an aggressive form of illness, she choked back tears.
Those left behind are deeply affected by the loss of a beloved pet. According to a 2008 study that appeared in the journal Marital & Family Review, pet loss grieving can last for six months to even a year.
Every pet is unique, yet given the extraordinary adventure they underwent together, Gable had more reason than most to mourn Otto's departure.
When he was alive, Otto and his "brother," Atlas, became a powerful feline duo after being
Gable said, "I saw them in there together and realized they were ideal. They had both spent the previous 2 months in the same cage after being discovered as kittens on Chicago's streets.
The moment Gable met Otto, she knew there was something unique about him. Actually, she claimed that Otto resembled a dog more. “He immediately began playing fetch after I took him to my Chicago condo.”
When Gable made the decision to quit her career in Los Angeles and travel to her father's farm in Colorado during the pandemic, Otto and Atlas were there for her through the worst of it.
She also taught Otto how to hike there, and they established their own unique routine. She shared, “Every few days, I would put Otto on a harness and leash and we would walk about 3 miles after work, together with Atlas in his backpack. Otto liked running along the trail and climbing the stones.”
Best Friends From Day One
Gable finally decided to take the plunge because of her love of the outdoors and the chance to travel across the countryside with her two cat friends. She left her job, acquired a van, and traveled with Atlas and Otto while documenting their experiences on TikTok.
She has spent the previous two years making cherished memories with Otto and Atlas. Together, they went to Wahclella Falls in Oregon, watched the sun rise on Washington's Chain Lake Loop Trail, and climbed boulders across Moab.
She remembers Otto and Atlas as her "best friends from day one" and how much she enjoyed their company on these amazing travels. “They would sleep together, play together in the van, and my particular favorite was when Otto hid in the bushes on walks to scare Atlas,” said Gable.
Otto was the more daring of the 2, frequently setting out to explore the neighborhood throughout the day but always coming back to the safety of Gable's van when dusk fell. Gable remembered how he was tough and once saved Atlas from a dog that was chasing him. “Otto suddenly leaped out of the tree and began attacking the dog,” she recalled. “Everyone was unharmed, but it was amazing how fearlessly he protected his brother.”
Things Happened So Fast'
Otto had just turned three. There should have been a ton more adventures and starry nights spent with Gable and Atlas. Tragically, though, that won't be the case.
When Gable first noticed Otto was losing weight, she was worried. Veterinarians initially suspected he might have worms. Only after getting a second opinion did she learn the awful truth: Otto had an uncommon and aggressive type of cancer. Gable remarked, "He was given two weeks to live. Things happened so fast.”
Otto and Atlas were brought back to the Colorado farm of Gable's father, where he first learned to climb trees, in an effort to make his final days as comfortable as possible. Otto’s end was eventually visible to Gable. “When he stopped playing with Atlas, walking, grooming himself, and climbing trees, I knew it was time,” she said..
Otto had to "cross the rainbow bridge," and Gable arranged for a veterinarian to travel to the farm and assist. She planned a special final day with her pet cat, though, before that. In addition to taking Otto's paw print and giving him "1 million kisses," they and Atlas watched the sunrise together.
Atlas Says Farewell
Then, while the doctor assisted Otto in passing, something extraordinary occurred. Gable recalled, “Atlas climbed a tree and watched Otto pass. He doesn't climb trees, and it was the one Otto used to climb."
Since his best friend passed away, Atlas has been struggling, but it has also brought them closer.
She claimed, “For around 4 days after, he tried to look for him in various areas of the home, in his backpack, and in the blackberry bushes Otto used to sleep in. While Atlas isn't particularly cuddly toward me, he has been sharing my bed ever since it happened. He needs a friend because he is such a social cat, although he is doing okay."
Writing alongside the clip, Gable said: "I will miss the way you pet my shoulder to get under the covers. I will miss your peach tree climbs and rim trail hikes. I will miss you protecting your brother from dogs. I will miss the play fights you and Atlas have while on our morning walks. Otto, I love you more than life itself."
After giving Otto the send-off he so richly deserved, Gable made the decision to share the footage of his final farewell with her TikTok fans. Almost 12 million viewers have watched the video.
Along with the video, Gable wrote: "I will miss the way you pet my shoulder to get under the covers. I will miss your peach tree climbs and rim trail hikes. I will miss you protecting your brother from dogs. I will miss the play fights you and Atlas have while on our morning walks. Otto, I love you more than life itself."
