Podcast Delayed
We won't be able to get the podcast out tonight because we weren't able to watch the episode.
About 10 minutes before the episode was to begin, our cat Zach had a heart attack. He was laying on the bed with us, then suddenly jumped up and fell on the floor. He stopped breathing and his heart stopped. We called the vet and performed CPR per their directions. I drove him to the emergency vet while Audra continued to perform CPR. We got there in about 15 minutes, but they weren't able to help him.
Zach came to Audra and I about four-and-a-half years ago. Though he was scared -- and has always been afraid of people -- he came up to us outside our apartment door and meowed. We took him in, got his medical needs taken care of, and looked for a new home for him. But within a few weeks, we knew we'd found his home -- with us.
Zach was my friend, and that was a big deal. He was very careful in choosing his friends. While he wasn't unfriendly, he didn't trust many people. I'm proud to say that he trusted me. He wouldn't stay in the same room with me without hiding when we first met, but over the years he allowed me to pet him, and in the last year he even kneaded my belly a few times and sometimes slept beside me.
The picture above was taken back in our old apartment about a year after he joined our family.
I'm sorry, but as much as I love BSG, I can't bring myself to do anything tonight. I'm looking at his little empty bed and wondering if I'll be ok someday. I love him very much.
We'll try and watch the episode in the next few days and get the podcast out.
Galactic Watercooler 
Modern Geek 
Save Eureka 
Eff This Week 
FitSmart
I’m so sorry. We just had to euthanize one of our cats last Thursday. My 6 year old son was telling my mom about it on the phone and just started to sob uncontrollably. 🙁
Anyway, sorry for your loss.
I’m very sorry to hear that. I know I can speak for a lot of us here when I say our thoughts and prayers go out to you and yours.
You guys take your time and sort yourselves out; we’ll still be here and eager to discuss the latest episode. I know if I lost my pets (and I have two dogs) my priorities in life would be different than they are now.
May you find comfort in the fact that you gave Zach home that all of God’s creatures deserve.
My heart goes out to you. I know how hard it is to lose a good friend. We are the last things that should be on your minds. My thoughts are with you all.
Aw, that would be such a sweet story to hear were it not for the tragic ending. God bless you all and may you find peace. He looks like a very cute and kind cat.
I am very sorry for your loss; I lost a cat I had since I was a boy several years ago so I understand what you are feeling. The podcast should be the last of your concerns. You have my condolences.
Frank,
I hate to answer your question given the evens, I feel almost heartless. However I think the 2 or 3 hour podcast from RDM is all we are getting from last week.
Again guys, I am truly sorry for you loss.
Yeah, woah. Reality check. Absolutely the right call. Take your time. We’ll be here.
I’m sorry for your loss. There’s something very special about winning the trust of a stray cat. You have my deepest sympathy.
I am so sorry for you loss. My husband and I have 5 cats of our own and they are the center of our universe, we would be devasted too. Please take care of yourselves and know that our thoughts are with you.
Sidenote: I’ve been lurking for a few weeks now and this is the post that prompted me to finally come out of hiding. Rest in Peace, Zach.
So sorry to hear about Zach the cat. We are here for you!
After listening to you guys every week, I feel like I know you, and I can hear the kindness in each of your voices, so i know how loving you must have been to Zach, My prayers and thoughts are with you all.
I’ll have to remember this one.
byebye Zake the Cat, sorry bout the loss well wait
Pets, unlike most people, love unconditionally. I know it is a hard loss. We will all be here when you are ready to cast. God’s blessings to you and yours.
Sorry about Zake. Thank you for sharing his picture. He was a beautiful cat and it sounds like he had a good life thanks to you. Think that in one way or another, Zake is waking up in a ressuraction vat at local shelter. There is another Zake other there waiting to be loved and cared for by a loving family like yourselves. Be well, and perhaps his memory can inspire something great.
I’d like to extend our sympathies as well. We are the parents of 4 cats ourselves and I can’t begin to wonder what would happen if any of them were to leave us.
Take your time; the 6 of us will say a prayer for you.
Sorry for your loss.
He went surrounded by people who loved him. That means a lot.
Pets are our family and he was a beautiful looking cat. Please take your time.
I’m really, really sorry to hear this. I was too young to have it impact me when our cat died, but I don’t know how I’m going to take it when our dog dies. Hopefully it’ll be a few years off… I’ve only been away at University for 2 months, and I miss her deeply.
Take your time. This was a great ep that shouldn’t be marred by real life in analyzing it… Family comes first.
(Maybe we can put together a listener podcast of “guest stars?”)
I’m so sorry to hear about your great loss. Zach will be sorely missed. At least he had found his forever home, and true friends.
By the by.. when you guys are ready, I’ve got one hell of a post lined up, detailing how we really are in a race and escalating action, even if the fleet itself is moving still. =)
I’m so sorry to hear about your loss!
I realized that there was a blip in my Monday morning routine and decided to check in.
We had to put our dog of 10 years down in August. I wept for weeks, was sad for far longer than I thought I should, missed a week of work, thought I’d never be the same. And I won’t ever be the same. My dog touched my life in ways I had never realized. But it got better. I know that logic tells you it will get better for you, too, but your heart doesn’t believe it right now. There is no right length of time for mourning, but it does get better.
oh man as a fellow cat lover and owner my deepest condolences! im so attached to mine as well i dont know how i would be able to handle it..our last cat “monty” was the fambly cat which my wife and i took over from my mom who was unfit to take care of him…he was like 19 yrs old so it was his time but he died while i was out and my wife had to take him to the vet and decide to put him to sleep on her own and i didnt know untill i got home late at night..i know what it’s like and maybe one day when your better you guys will feel ready to get another cat or not…hmmm what would adama do???
awww that cat reminds me of my cat, Checkers! Don’t worry about the podcast, guys! Best wishes to you.
I’m gonna get boxed for this…
But Adama would love and coddle and support the cat like family, until it broke military doctrine.
I’ll let you fill in the rest of this, so that I don’t get fully hated on. =P
Words are so inadequate and not able to convey these things. My sadness at your loss is real, and ties into my own experience with being adopted by a stray. Cats who have been strays do not easily give their love and affection. That Zach did so speaks volumes of who you are as people. Reading the above posts, what you all need to know is that we care, that you have shared yourselves with us and in effect creates a family. And when loss occurs, families stand together. So say we all.
Hey, guys….
I’m sorry about the loss of your friend. I know Zach was a cat, but Zach was also a friend. Don’t worry about the podcast. Just like everyone else out there has said, we’ll be here. Take your time, and know that we (your friends) are mourning with you all.
May God bless and keep you.
My condolences,
I agreed to “host” a cat due to a stray on the deck (long story) and I can’t imagine not having her now.
I agree with the other posts, take care of yourselves, and we’ll be here when you’re ready.
I am very sorry for your loss. As a pet lover myself who has lost loved pets, I feel this loss also. Take your time to get over this. I will wait for your great podcast.
Maybe if we created a mechanical cat…
No, wait. That’s a terrible idea. Never mind.
we have had four cats come and go over the years and my thoughts are with you. we even have a ‘found’ cat much like Zack. they are precious creatures and bring much joy to our lives. don’t hurry the grieving….
My thoughts are with you in this hard time. My wife and I had two cats for 14 years. One pasted away at that point and his lose was very hard. He was a member of the family. BSG can wait that is what Tivo is for. Take the time you need to heal. That is what is important now.
Please accept my deepest condolences. I still miss the kitty I lost four years ago. They become part of us and enrich our lives in ways we never expect. Even after they leave, they remain. Zach will be with you both for the rest of your lives. Take care.
To add one other thought, my little toy poodle got spayed today and I was so worried for the past few days. She’s our little baby. In fact, we refer to her as “the baby” more often than we do by her real name (Maggie). Animals are just so special. We could learn a few things from them like unconditional love, loyalty, keeping our mouth shut, etc.
Damn,
Our cat died in a similar fashion a few years back. I miss that lil’ bugger.
I’m so sorry to hear about Zach. My wife and I have two kittens we adopted from the Hawaiian Humane Society a little over eight years ago. I know we’d be devastated if anything happened to them, and there’s no way the podcast could ever trump the loss you’re experiencing. My deepest condolences….
You have the deepest sympathies from my wife Chandra and I. We are new BSG fans and discovered your podcast after immersing ourselves in the show for 3 weeks to get ready for the 2nd half of season 3 to start. We both find ourselves laughing at the jokes (especially Audra’s) and enjoying the discussions. It is all to easy to picture myself right in the middle of one of them.
We are also the owners of 3 cats, including 2 that my wife raised from 2 day old newborns. We feel your pain and you are in our prayers. The bond we have with the animals in our life is a special and sacred one not to be taken lightly.
George and Chandra
Hey guys. I wasn’t planning to comment here but I couldn’t just read a post like this and do nothing. I haven’t had any pets for a long time and I definitely haven’t had to deal with losing one so close to me, so I can’t claim to know what you’re going through right now, but I hope you guys are ok. Sorry for your big loss.
Wait a sec.
Your cat was named Zach.. and was 4 years old…
You didn’t name him based on Zach Adama, did you?
I am so sorry. My sympathies to you over the loss of your family member. Thank you for posting his picture.
So sad!
I am so sorry for your loss. I wish there was something I could do although that’s unlikely. Feel better! He looks adorable.
I just wanted to let you guys know how much I enjoy your podcast, but don’t feel like you have to force yourselves if you don’t feel up to it. I would understand and I’m sure your other fans would too.
It has been some time since I have posted, but I am a faithful listener of your podcast. I eagerly await your insights, banter, and the chance to connect with the wider BSG community.
Know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
So say we all.
I am sorry for your loss. Our animals are important members of our families. Take the time to grieve and than celebrate a wonderful life.
I’m so sorry about Zach. He looks so sweet and angelic in that picture! Cats are wonderful creatures.
I’ve had several pets die in my family and it is always sad. I have 2 pugs now who are like family. Pets are better than people in some ways because they never take out their problems on you, and they never judge. You can be proud that you gave such a great quality of life to a great cat.
Best wishes in your time of sorrow.
I’m so sorry to hear about your cat. It made me want to hug my kitty. Losing a pet is like losing a part of your family. My heart goes out to you.
On behalf of Chuck and me as well as Sean, who also has a special place in his heart for Zach, thank you all for the kind comments. It means so much to us that so many of you would reach out with such kind words and support. Zach used to like to chill out nearby when we’d record the podcast, and he was very shy, but I know he’d be pleased to feel so much love.
We did not name Zach after Zack Adama in BSG; it was just a coincidence. Zach came to our door in 2002 needing a home, and we named him then. It is a good name, though.
Thanks again from GWC. So say we all!
I lost my yellow Labrador retriever Phoenix a few months ago, and it’s still a really big hole to fill. I’m sorry to be late with my comment, but I’m afraid I must admit I get the podcast through iTunes and rarely see the blog. I’m sending all of my best thoughts your way guys, and thanks so much for the work you guys do on the podcast.
You never realize how much a pet can effect your life until you have one. I love every one of my pets and hurt terribly when they past on. But try and remember that your life and you pets life was much better off for having each other then to never have been in each others lives.
Been a big fan and lurker for a long time…just wanted to say I’m thinkin’ of you guys and sending all my love. Thank you so much for the podcast! I look forward to it sometimes more than the show!
Aw man, I’m so sorry to hear about your loss, guys.. My thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to you. 🙁
My deepest sympathies…take your time in getting to the podcast. Your loyal listeners will always be here.
I wanted to reply to this sooner, but your website was down. I am so sorry about your cat. I lost a cat a few years ago when she was hit by a car. I cried for days. I now have a new cat, & luckily he stays away from the street. I still miss the cat who died, but the new cat is helping to fill the void. He is a Ragdoll, & is really friendly and loving.
Very sorry to hear about Zach! I know how close you can get to a cat. My wife and I have 4. 3 of which came fom rescue shelters. I am new to your vast but I am a huge fan already. My thoughts are with you 2.
Tim