Today, I had the heartbreaking task, of saying goodbye to my precious cat of 15 yrs. He was such a wonderful critter. He was so good natured, He liked getting a bath, being held like a baby, and riding in the car, without a carrier.
Butterscotch, had been going down for awhile. An injury 7-8 yrs ago, left him limping(it was always a little worse when company came over, funny how he could barely walk then, but liked jumping on top of the house to sun). He was becoming blind, and his hearing was bad. He also had gotten to where he could not bathe himself, and stayed sick alot. I had always said, when he could no longer eat on his own, then it would be time to go. Well, after two days of watching him look for his food, with it under his nose, not being able to eat it, and still begging for food, it was time.
I gave him his last bath last night, put a towel down in the passenger seat this morning, set my buddy on it, for his last car ride. As always he was the best of traveling companions, sitting quietly, and enjoying an ear rub. Me on the other hand, was quite the sobbing mess.
When we arrived at the vet's office, I gently wrapped my sweet friend up in the towel, and carried him like a baby on his back,(his favorite way to be loved on) and carried him and a shoe box, into the office.
I walked into the office, and the receptionist asked me what I was there for. I began to tear up, she looked at the shoebox, and knew. In a knowing and gentle voice she said "It's okay" took me to an exam room, and finished getting the information.
A few mins. later the Dr. came in. She was very comforting, and told me she had and "old man" too, and it was gonna be ok. She gave him a sedative first, and gave me a few more mins. While I was holding and talking to my friend for the last time, a woman carrying a Shih-tzu, came in the room. She said that she was sorry to bother me, but she was in the room next door, and heard what I was there for. She hugged me tightly, and told me that she understood my pain, and was praying for my peace, and comfort. A total stranger, she was, but I felt so touched an comforted by her presence, I knew that her being there was not an accident. I know that He, sent her to me, as He has always found ways of getting me through hard times. I never view things as being random or accidental. Thank you again Lord.
The Dr. and her assistant came back in, and the sweet woman left. My darling Butterscotch was sleeping soundly, and purring loudly as usual. I laid him on the table, and as I stroked his soft head, the assistant, was rubbing one little foot, as the Dr. gently shaved his other leg, just a little. She explained to me, that the medicine, in the shot, was an overdose of anesthesia, and would gently slow his breathing and stop his heart. As she administered the shot, his sweet familiar purring, got softer and softer, and then stopped all together. She listened for a heartbeat, then softly told me, he was at rest.
I have been a sobbing mess all day, and while I fell better for Butterscotch, my heart is breaking for my loss. It is so hard to say goodbye to the ones you love, even when they are an animal. He was a wonderful part of this family, and will be missed dearly.
Butterscotch, had been going down for awhile. An injury 7-8 yrs ago, left him limping(it was always a little worse when company came over, funny how he could barely walk then, but liked jumping on top of the house to sun). He was becoming blind, and his hearing was bad. He also had gotten to where he could not bathe himself, and stayed sick alot. I had always said, when he could no longer eat on his own, then it would be time to go. Well, after two days of watching him look for his food, with it under his nose, not being able to eat it, and still begging for food, it was time.
I gave him his last bath last night, put a towel down in the passenger seat this morning, set my buddy on it, for his last car ride. As always he was the best of traveling companions, sitting quietly, and enjoying an ear rub. Me on the other hand, was quite the sobbing mess.
When we arrived at the vet's office, I gently wrapped my sweet friend up in the towel, and carried him like a baby on his back,(his favorite way to be loved on) and carried him and a shoe box, into the office.
I walked into the office, and the receptionist asked me what I was there for. I began to tear up, she looked at the shoebox, and knew. In a knowing and gentle voice she said "It's okay" took me to an exam room, and finished getting the information.
A few mins. later the Dr. came in. She was very comforting, and told me she had and "old man" too, and it was gonna be ok. She gave him a sedative first, and gave me a few more mins. While I was holding and talking to my friend for the last time, a woman carrying a Shih-tzu, came in the room. She said that she was sorry to bother me, but she was in the room next door, and heard what I was there for. She hugged me tightly, and told me that she understood my pain, and was praying for my peace, and comfort. A total stranger, she was, but I felt so touched an comforted by her presence, I knew that her being there was not an accident. I know that He, sent her to me, as He has always found ways of getting me through hard times. I never view things as being random or accidental. Thank you again Lord.
The Dr. and her assistant came back in, and the sweet woman left. My darling Butterscotch was sleeping soundly, and purring loudly as usual. I laid him on the table, and as I stroked his soft head, the assistant, was rubbing one little foot, as the Dr. gently shaved his other leg, just a little. She explained to me, that the medicine, in the shot, was an overdose of anesthesia, and would gently slow his breathing and stop his heart. As she administered the shot, his sweet familiar purring, got softer and softer, and then stopped all together. She listened for a heartbeat, then softly told me, he was at rest.
I have been a sobbing mess all day, and while I fell better for Butterscotch, my heart is breaking for my loss. It is so hard to say goodbye to the ones you love, even when they are an animal. He was a wonderful part of this family, and will be missed dearly.
