|
|
Chrystal Inner circle Canada/France 1552 Posts |
I returned home last Thursday to find my 21 year old cat snoozing on the floor. Not unusual due to her advanced age. What was unusual was she didn't meow for food when I opened a can of cat food. I knew immediately something was wrong. This cat was a creature of habit and never missed a chance to eat tasty morsels.
I've mentioned on other post that I operate a private animal sanctuary where senior, special needs and cruelty seizure animals can live out their days. I often have to make those dreaded visits to the vet and have to harden myself for the trips. "How can you do that?" I'm often asked. "Not easy", I respond," but I always put the animals first as I would never want to see any suffer, so I never hesitate to make the calls and stay with them until the end". This cat I know lived a happy life, far from her miserable beginnings when the SPCA first called me about her. She had abscessed teeth, missing fur and was jaundice when she first arrived. The vet pulled most of her teeth and with good food her hair grew back and her health returned. With good health her true personality emerged - even the large 100 pound dogs gave her wide berth. Lets say she was a cat with attitude. So it brings me back to last Thursday I picked her up and placed her on my lap. I didn't think she'd survive her vet appointment I had made for her the following day. {she was going for her monthly check-up as she was doing fine until this day }. On my lap she started to purr and her paw touched my face several times. She looked into my eyes which normally she would avoid doing so as with animals this is viewed as aggression. She gave me long lingering looks and continuously touched my face. Then closed her eyes while I continued to pet her. She passed minutes later. Yes, I was upset and will miss her as she's been with me forever. In the grand scheme of things ,this is what I would consider a good death. Falling peacefully asleep while purring. It's extremely hard to say goodbye to beloved pets but to the many I have to accompany on their final stage this was one of the best. |
Bob1Dog Inner circle Wife: It's me or this houseful of 1159 Posts |
Ahh Chrystal, you reminded me of our having to put down one of several four-legged critters, but the toughest for me was my Megan, a very special border collie and my first dog at age 42. She lived seventeen years and in the end she could hardly stand. We probably should have acted sooner, but it was gut wrenching. She was my dog and my wife knew it was time but I had a hard time letting go. I finally caved and was fortunate to have a vet come to our home and administer the injection. Her last conscious act was to lick my nose while I held her in my arms. I'm welling up as I write this. It's so hard to give them up. Believe me when I say I feel your emotions. That lick on my nose told me she was happy. But we never stop missing them. This was in 2008 and I still grieve over her.
What if the Hokey Pokey really IS what it's all about?
My neighbor rang my doorbell at 2:30 a.m. this morning, can you believe that, 2:30 a.m.!? Lucky for him I was still up playing my drums. |
ed rhodes Inner circle Rhode Island 2885 Posts |
My heart goes out to you Chrystal. I have a cat that has to be at least 14. She's getting slow and hesitates in trying to lie down. I'm waiting for this day you describe to come. (It's going to be worse for my wife, the cat is very important to her.)
In a rather strange fantasy story called "The Deathbird," Harlan Ellison throws in an essay about his dog Apu (the dog was named after the character played by Sabu in "The Thief of Bagdad." It ends with Harlan having to take the dog to be put to sleep. A small spoiler, he's supposed to leave the dog with the team, but refuses to "leave him with strangers" and stays in the room for the procedure. This gets worked into the story as well.
"...and if you're too afraid of goin' astray, you won't go anywhere." - Granny Weatherwax
|
LobowolfXXX Inner circle La Famiglia 1196 Posts |
I'm very sorry for your loss.
"Torture doesn't work" lol
Guess they forgot to tell Bill Buckley. "...as we reason and love, we are able to hope. And hope enables us to resist those things that would enslave us." |
Chrystal Inner circle Canada/France 1552 Posts |
Thanks to both of you for sharing your stories. Bob, I'm sorry about Megan but know she lives forever in your heart. Ed, as difficult as it is I know you'll do the right thing as it's the final act of kindness you can do.
I found a wonderful poem a few years ago that I often read when preparing myself. http://www.petloss.com/poems/maingrp/lastbatt.htm As I've mentioned, because many of the pets at the sanctuary are aged or frail I may sometimes make numerous trips in a year. Still, I never get used to it. I wish all my animals could pass peacefully in their sleep with me by their side and yet this was the first time this actually happened so I'm happy about that. |
arthur stead Inner circle When I played soccer, I hit 1773 Posts |
Chrystal, this letter was forwarded to me by a neighbor after my dog died:
LETTER FROM THE POST OFFICE (We don't know who replied, but there is a beautiful soul working in the dead letter office). Our 14-year-old dog Abbey died last month. The day after she passed away my 4-year-old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought we could so, and she dictated these words: Dear God, Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I'm happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick. I hope you will play with her. She likes to swim and play with balls. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her you will know that she is my dog. I really miss her. Love, Meredith We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey & Meredith, addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had. Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, 'To Meredith' in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, 'When a Pet Dies.' Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note: Dear Meredith, Abbey arrived safely in heaven. Having the picture was a big help and I recognised her right away. Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in so I'm sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by. Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you. I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much. By the way, I'm easy to find. I am wherever there is love. Love, God |
tommy Eternal Order Devil's Island 16544 Posts |
According the French Egyptologist Isha Schwaller de Lubicz animals have certain qualities which teach mankind how to behave, or something like that, which is why the Egyptians thought highly of animals like cats. I am not sure what it is I like about cats but they have something about them which I like. I like the way they move and shape of them the calmness of them. I think people who have cats pick up these attributes. Anyway I am sorry to hear that you have lost your cat but I hope some its ways live on in you but don't killing mice.
If there is a single truth about Magic, it is that nothing on earth so efficiently evades it.
Tommy |
S2000magician Inner circle Yorba Linda, CA 3465 Posts |
Chrystal: we've been blessed with a good many pets, all but one of whom were with us until they passed away. Guinea pigs, parakeets, dogs, rabbits, and horses. (We have yet to have a cat to pass away, but it will happen some day.) Three of them – a dog, a rabbit, and a horse - were particularly heartbreaking for me because they left us while I was away from home: I never got to say goodbye. The most heartbreaking, however, was our first horse: our beloved Valentine. She passed away 15 months ago, three weeks shy of her 31st birthday.
Fortunately for us, and for them, all but one have been quick and, as best we can determine, nearly painless. I grieve for your loss, as I grieve for all of mine. You're special, Chrystal: that's why you get to share the lives of all of these beautiful creatures. God bless you. |
General_Magician Special user United States 707 Posts |
Sorry to hear about you losing your cat Chrystal. It must be pretty tough to have to let a pet go. I have a dog Brillo who is currently in good health. I reckon one of these days I will have to go through the same thing when he eventually dies of hopefully natural causes. But Brillo sure has made me happier and having him in my life has been good for me. I hope and pray that he will have a peaceful death as well. But still, it has got to be really rough to lose a pet like that. Very sorry to hear about the loss of your cat Chrystal.
"Never fear shadows. They simply mean there is a light shining somewhere nearby." -unknown
Company Website Facebook Business Page Twitter Business Page |
Devious Inner circle 2120 Posts |
I am very very sorry for your loss, but your story was very touching.
Thanks so very much for sharing your moment with us all. |
Chrystal Inner circle Canada/France 1552 Posts |
I wanted to comment on each and every post but find myself unable to. Please know that all of you who took the time to write a comment or share a story meant a lot. Thank you everyone.
|
Dougini Inner circle The Beautiful State Of Maine 7130 Posts |
I'm sitting here, tears streaming down my face. My 10 year old, black cat Spooky had to be put to sleep. His kidneys shut down and he was in convulsions. I took him to a vet. They told me what had to be done. I could not stay. I wish I had now. I was too broken up. He was ma CAT! My best friend...
I should have stayed. Instead, he was alone in that cold steely office. No one to hold his paw. I could have been there. I just didn't want anyone to see me cry. How selfish! I live with that, every time I hear a story like this. Chrystal is an ANGEL! Maybe when it's MY time, someone will be there. I hope... Doug |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Not very magical, still... » » A Good Death (3 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.04 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |