My badly neglected blog has been calling me to write for some time – but today it’s a sad post I’m finally writing.
This morning I am saying farewell to one of my beautiful Tonkinese cats.
Seven years ago Hershey and Creamy came to me as adults from a breeder, after they’d had their litters. Such different personalities, with different quirks and habits, both have been a wonderful joy in my life. Two furry mischiefs who have, with gentle paws and soft voices, taken their firm places in my heart.
But now poor Creamy has developed an inoperable cancer. Although several visits to the vet over the last few months gave no answers, now they can feel the large mass in her tummy. She has become restless and is obviously increasingly uncomfortable. She’s almost stopped eating and has lost so much weight so quickly, that she’s feather-light in my arms.
So today it’s time to say goodbye – before she starts to suffer in earnest. It’s time for a last breakfast, a last ‘yin-yang snooze’, curled up with Hershey. And lots of pats and cuddles before her final visit to the vet.
Such a hard decision – and I am typing this through my tears. But when our hearts are too full to find our own words, it can be comforting to find someone else has said it for us:
A Pet’s Prayer
If it should be that I grow frail and weak,
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then, you must do what must be done
For this, the last battle, can’t be won.
Don’t let your grief stay your hand,For this day more than the rest,
Your love and friendship stand the test.
We’ve had so many years,
What is to come can hold no fear.
You’d not want me to suffer, so
When the time comes, please let me go.Take me where my needs they’ll tend,
Only, stay with me to the end
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you’ll see it is a kindness you do for me
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I’ve been saved.Don’t grieve it should be you who this thing decides to do.
We’ve been so close, we two, these years,
Don’t let your heart hold tears.
Smile, for we walked together for a while.(Author Unknown)
Thanks I really liked this. Well written in a time of trouble; I hope it helped.
Also noticed that you’re reading an Alan Garner book. I love his writing. Unfortunately, I can’t convince my 12 year old son of its worth.
Hi Mikaela .. thank you for stopping by and for your comment. It did help to write the post too, you are right. I also love Alan Garner books – I read them many years ago and am revisiting them. :) It’s a shame your 12 year old won’t give them a go .. but perhaps he will a bit later.