I know dead. I'm 63 and have buried lots of my family, including my parents, my in-laws and my sister. In the service I knew lots of dead.
Tonight I waltzed by my recliner and saw Sweet Babycakes stiff as a board and motionless. No doubt she had snagged a heart attack and gone on to meet her maker. I dropped my empty with tears in my eyes and went to pick her up so I could bury her in the back yard with dignity.
She woke up and mewed with joy when I picked up her carcass!
I still can't figure out girls whether they're alive or dead, human or feline.