Last night, I was fortunate to have had the opportunity share time with her, as she rested peacefully on my lap while I watched a movie. Around midnight, I carried her upstairs (something that she never would have permitted, were she in full health) to our room and set her on the bed. I then brought her a spoonful of canned cat food - which we'd been using over the past few days to entice her into actually eating. She showed great interest and gobbled it up; some kind of indication that she was feeling good enough at that point. In the morning, however, I was moderately surprised to not find her in bed. And as soon as I made my way downstairs to the living room, I found her body. She must have known "it was time" and come down there to be alone for the end - something that animals will always do if they can (I think it probably is descended from wild anscestors avoiding the troubles that would be associated with dying in a lair).
We said our tearful goodbyes this morning and brought her in to the vet. I took the morning off and Sharon & I reminisced at the coffee shop, during which time our conversation actually turned towards, "OK, so when are we going to get our next dog?" And a very lucky dog it will be.
The picture below is from the vigorous cat we knew about a year ago (not that she was doing all that badly up until very recently). Pre-leg amputation and living life large in a spot of sun.
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13 comments:
I am still praying for you guys!
Thanks. We'll be allright. We're too busy to stay in the dolldrums, we're surrounded by the bright, vital flame of our two human girls, and we're free from all the considerations of caring for an aging and ailing pet.
Hey Dan,
Sorry about the cat. I understand the feeling. Last summer, I got a distressing e-mail from the woman who was looking after my cat. My cat had gotten an infection from a bug bite and because it was not detected in time, her blood was poisoned and she got sick and was finally put to sleep. It was really hard to be here and not be able to say goodbye to her. But I am anticipating getting some kind of pet when I return Stateside.
Thanks, Matt. Yeah, we've decided now that we've "earned" the right to get a dog & cat that are <1 year of age. It may be someday in the future (after our kids are grown & out of the house) that we decide to be ongoing "foster parents" of pets that are in the twilight of their lives, but I've had my fill of that for the time being. I don't feel like saying "goodbye" to a family member for another 12-14 years.
It is remarkable that in her last moments she was impelled to do something entirely selfless - leaving the 'lair' and finding a quiet place to die where she wouldn't be a bother to any of the other members of her 'clan'. Truly remarkable.
Tears come as I think of this gentle creature reaching her noble end.
Such sadness from such joy. And such joy from the memories.
I look forward to the new stories of joy that come from present and future members of the Hylton clan, no matter the number of legs.
Hmm-though I loved her to no end, if there's one thing Squeaks will not be remembered for, it would be acts of selflessness. Even I, as one of the top pet lovers you'll encounter, would be willing to attribute that particular last act almost entirely to instinct. But it is a very noble instinct, I'll grant you; mammals not dying in their lairs. In the wild - imagine the disgusting, potentially dangerous fallout (atract scavangers, disease) if they did.
Thanks for all the heartfelt sentiments, too. Expect a Yahoo! slide show sometime in the near future.
Sorry to hear it Dan. I was amazed, the last time we were over, at how social she was. There were times we would come over and there would be no sign that a cat even lived there.
You mention your next dog being lucky. Might I suggest, as no reflection on you, that you NOT name the dog Lucky. That would be akin to a shipbuilder declaring a ship unsinkable, and christening it "Titanic II."
I can't imagine naming a dog "lucky." I kind of like "Dosit," from the 18-month old-Lucy-named rabbit, dog, & cat trio "Posit, Dosit, and Catty-Bop-Ti"
Would you go with a pure breed or will you adopt a mix breed from the local shelter?
My dad had a dog named Lucky. He lived a long good life.
Definitely not a pure breed. We'll adopt from the shelter. We're going in with the idea that we'll get a very young midsized mutt with Black Lab mixed in there, though we're not ruling out any dog, due to the possibility of love at first sight.
With your ties to the Humaine Society, I figured that you would adopt from the shelter. You are a good man to do so. Any dog would be lucky to have your family adopt them.
Indeed, if not in name.
I would recommend a female - they seem to have a better temperament, though I understand the love at first site situation - such it was with Primus.
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