oceantiger11's beloved cat, Sugarplum, is showing signs of her old age and is most likely ready to take the big cat nap soon <3

She's lived a very long, loving life of 16/17 years in the lap of luxury and comfort, spoiled absolutely rotten by my sister and, well, our whole family quite frankly.
My sister got Sugar when we were in 2nd or 3rd grade- near Christmas- hence, why she was sweetly dubbed Sugarplum. She was a rambunctious huntress as a kitten but submissive enough to my sister teaching her to be more affectionate. I'm not sure if that contributed to her dislike of men, but in later years I believe it softened her disposition seeing as how she's taken to our step dad lovingly.
Plummy used to sleep in our room when we shared one and I remember being jarred awake at nights by her pouncing paws across my stomach or the sounds of shredded paper as she tore up our art books. Sometimes she'd yowl and I'd burst up in a fit of anger, but then become subdued by her large gold eyes and charming rumble of a purr as if to say "Oh, I'm terribly sorry- did I wake you?" She knew she did, but it was hard not to be won over by this Audrey Hepburn cat incarnate.
She was mostly outdoors as a juvenile. We'd come home from school to find her sprawled out on the driveway or curled up on the porch. Our grandmother would caterwaul to call Sugarplum, her brother Brisk and our first cat Momma for their own special nightly dinner of fancy feast or tuna and as they ate, would close the garage to ensure a night of safety and comfort sleeping on blankets over the hood of our grandpa's Buick.
Sugarplum has been through quite a bit, despite her princess demeanor. Her tail was accidentally run over by our mother one morning when she was headed to school, ran away for two weeks, then came back. More recently, when our parents were renovating our old house, she was mistakenly trapped in our neighbors shed for another two weeks and of course, came back.
She's transitioned from being an outdoor cat, to strictly indoor, back to outdoor again in her golden years- preferring to battle with the elements rather be miserably cooped up with our two younger cats- but always ready to offer a loving purr or to sit with you a while as you lounge by the pool.
Our family has done whatever they can to ensure she's living out the rest of her days in the finest comfort and peace, as much as possible. My sister has gone as far as to ensure she is not living in pain or suffering by taking her to the vet many times- spending what she can even with her limited hours at work out of responsibility, of course, but primarily because we want her to be happy as all pet guardians want for their babies.
No one in this world could possibly ever love or understand this cat as my sister has. No one could ever spend or give as much time, dedication, love and respect to another living creature as my sister has. It's breaking her heart to see her baby slow down and become as weak as she has, but she knows it is her time.

As we speak, Sugarplum is cozy and warm in my sister's room snuggled into a pile of blankets- the lights are dimmed and the sounds around the house are soft. She's been given more kisses, hugs and loving scritches than she'd probably admit to liking, but shows us anyway- giving us her greatest remaining strength in loud purrs.

Sugar, when you pass I hope it is peaceful. I hope you know you were loved in copious amounts and treasured like a little sister. You were a big part of our lives growing up and I can't thank you enough for giving every bit of energy you had into making my sister's childhood and adult life a happy one by providing constant feline affection. You will be missed so much, dime eyes <3