Marissa,
Thanks for letting us know about Slink. Even though I was expecting
to read this, I prayed that the situation would turn around for him,
somehow. Pretty normal to hope until the last, but you obviously did
the right thing for him by helping him to leave. I'm glad you got a
meow from him. Take care.
Lance
On Mar 28, 2007, at 10:04 PM, Marissa Johnson wrote:
Hi all. I guess I need to complete the updates on Slinky, huh?
Yes, he went to the bridge last night. I was having second
thoughts all day yesterday...he, of course, perked up a bit, sat in
the window sill again (hadn't done that in ages), and was still
drinking, eating, and breathing fine. I even started to wonder if
his nose looked pinker.
But I decided to go to the vet appointment and ask her what she
thought - and that all important question, "what would you do if he
were your kitty?"
Right before we left I think I finally understood that it really
was time. It occurred to me that on Sunday he was very cuddly with
me and initiating some cuddle time on his own. But yesterday he
didn't want anything to do with me. And when we left the vet on
Monday, someone said he'd tell me when it was time, and I remember
thinking, "I think he already has told me" but I didn't want to
believe it. I think his spirit left on Sunday...I think all that
cuddling was him saying goodbye and beginning to get ready for the
journey.
So we went to the vet and I asked her if she thought his nose
looked pinker. She looked at his gums, etc. and assured me that
they were not. I was tempted to have her do another CBC, but that
seemed like just adding to the torture he'd already been through.
Without my even asking, the vet said, "If this were my cat, this is
what I would be doing. Not only is he not getting any better, but
he's actually getting steadily worse...and he's just going to
suffer if we wait much longer." She of course pointed out that I
had the option of waiting, but that seemed like it would just drag
out the inevitable. He was so weak the last couple days that he
couldn't even get back on the bed once he'd gotten down.
The vet explained everything in detail and even shaved some of his
fur for me since I'd forgotten I wanted a sample (good cuz what she
got was way better than anything I could've gotten with a
scissors). Then she gave him the tranquilizer (I think she did it
quickly so I wouldn't have time to change my mind...knowing that
was best for me and for Slinky). She said it would take a few
minutes for it to work, so they left and I just held him and cried
and told him how much I loved him. Thanked him for letting me
share in his life and told him I was giving him the only gift I
could at this point. The room we were in had a beautiful painting
of the bridge, so I showed it to him and told him that was where he
was going.
They had put a sheep skin-like pad on the table and when they came
back I laid him on that and put his head on his favorite pillow (he
loved to knead on this "sqush" pillow I have). She thought they
might have to put a catheter in his front leg to get the needle in
since his veins were so small, but she was able to do it in his
back leg. Once it was in, I just held him and cried and cried some
more. But I know he was in peace.
He visited me this morning - as I was waking up I could hear the
birds outside my window and I distinctly heard a meow (I remember
thinking that I didn't know of a bird that meowed). When it
happened I got chills. And when I woke up fully I realized that he
was letting me know that he's happy and he loves me.
I'm actually doing much better than I expected to be. After the
vet appointment my friend took me out to dinner and then to ben and
jerry's (self-medicating is always good!), which distracted me and
that helped a lot. Of course when I got home I completely lost it,
but I knew that would happen. I called "dad" and he was wondeful
about telling me I did all the right things, that he loves me, and
not to worry about paying all those bills back 'till some time in
the future.
Today I relaxed in the morning and then went and got my hair cut
(my stylist is "dad's" partner and the owner of the salon...so he
has lots of experience with losing kitties) and did some shopping.
I got a stuffed kitty that looks just like Slinky, so he'll be my
new sleeping buddy. I thought I would lose it when I came home
tonight, but I just choked up for a bit and really was okay. I
know all the prayers and thoughts everyone is sending me are
helping a ton!!! I think half the population of the US is praying
for me and checking on me!
You guys have been absolutely amazing and having people to talk to
who've been there and understand how this is has been an
unbelievable help! Thank you all so much for all your support!!!
I know this is kinda long, but since you've all been reading so
much about Slink, I thought you might want to know some of the
details of his crossing. Thanks again for everything...I know I
couldn't get through this without you!!
Love to you and all your furkids!
MJ
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