I went to my vet the day before, signed the necessary papers and paid so that I could make a speedy exit after I gave Fluffy to the vet. I knew I wouldn't have the composure to go through with these necessities after the fact. The day came and as I waited for the vet to come and take her from me, I realized I just couldn't just hand her over. I don't know what possessed me but I asked him if I could hold her while he gave her the needle. I hadn't even thought of that before.
He was wonderful and said yes. With Fluffy in my arms he gently
put the needle in her paw. Within a second or two at the most she
was gone. She was purring and there was not even the slightest
flinch. She just went to sleep beautifully.
Until this day I thank God I had the presence of mind to ask my vet to let me hold her at the end. I would never have forgiven myself if I had left her, afraid and alone. This way she was with her best friend and she knew she was loved. I live with peace of mind that could only have come by witnessing her departure and knowing she didn't suffer.
Now this may not be for everyone but it certainly was the best decision for both me and Fluffy. It was not until later I realized people may not even know they can ask to be present for the final journey. It's something we hate to think about let alone plan for so we leave it until the very last minute without making arrangements and when the time comes we are so upset we can't think straight.
Stick with me folks. You'll be glad you did.
A couple weeks later a neighbor knocked on my door and said he had something for me. You guessed it - he put a basket on the floor and a newborn kitten popped its head out.
My initial reaction was - no way. I wasn't going to go through the anguish of losing
another one and I also felt disloyal to Fluffly. I realize now that guilt played a big part in not wanting to get another cat. Well that lasted about 3 seconds. This tiny thing needed so much care and attention there was no way I couldn't take her. She was about 3 weeks old and abandoned in the lobby of my apartment building. Now I need to mention that the building I was living in was fairly high end in a good area. Security was tight and people did not just dump animals off at our address. In the 20 years the superintendent had been there he said this was the only time he could think this had happened.
There is no doubt in my mind that this
little thing found me. She took my focus
off of my heartache and helped me
through the grieving process. That tiny
little baby, Bijou, is now 15 years old and
weighs about 18 pounds. She is still my
baby though.
In figuring out her age the vet determined that she was born about the same time Fluffy left me. The incredible thing is that I truly believe Bijou has Fluffy's soul.
She has exactly the same gentle disposition and lovable personality. She sleeps in precisely the same spot and in the same position on my bed that Fluffy did every night. On a certain level I feel that Fluffy is still with me. I know I would have suffered needlessly for a very long time if Bijou had not been dropped into my lap. I wasn't being disloyal to Fluffy in keeping her. She didn't take Fluffys place in my heart, nothing ever will nor was she meant to. What she did was help to fill that hole left when Fluffy passed on. She opened me up to another wonderful experience with another wonderful pet who needed me as much as I needed her
I wanted to share this story to let people know about the choices available when the final moments come for your pet. My heart felt condolences if you have gone through this or expect to go through it shortly. If you are having a difficult time, its good to communicate with people who understand what you are going through in addition there is an excellent Pet Loss Section which has information, advice and pet loss hotlines for immediate counselling.
Remember this. You need to keep your eyes opened if you have recently lost a beloved animal. There is another one somewhere looking for you right now.
© 2001 Lynn Perrier
I had a wonderful friend by the name of Fluffy. My son was 6 years old when I got her and he was 28 when she passed on. That makes it easy for me to keep in perspective just how long I had her with me. The time came just after her 22nd birthday and I knew the inevitable was here. She was getting frail, her organs had started shutting down and her quality of life was no longer enjoyable. It was time for me to free her from her discomfort and pain.
We who choose to surround ourselves with lives even more temporary than our own,
live within a fragile circle easily and often breached.
Unable to accept it's awful gaps we still would live no other way
We cherish memory as the only certain immortality never fully understanding the necessary plan
Irving Townsend
FLUFFY'S BEAUTIFUL EXIT
Read this short article If your cats like to lay or play on plastic bags
It could save their life
Click Here
It is with a heavy heart that I let you know my precious Bijou passed away at the age of
17 years on
Tuesday January 22, 2008
Please click on the candle to view a tribute to a wonderful friend
BIJOU
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