I’m sure some people are thinking, “Get a grip-it’s only a cat!”
Without question, we’ve endured far, far worse and survived thus far…but Silly’s death magnified the ache already present in us. The empty space echoes even louder in our home now…
For the record, it was NOT the same as losing my son; there is no comparison to be made, other than we loved Silly too…
We did grow a little closer while caring for him; we learned more about ourselves, our strengths and weaknesses during the process of addressing his needs.
Grace became our resident expert on changing bandages and administering medication. During his last days, she figured out how to keep him clean when he couldn’t make it to his box or groom himself anymore…
Beth was our queen of triage; she monitored Silly’s overall condition and knew what to do as things advanced. She told us what to expect and exactly how to handle him when he had a seizure near the very end…
I did what I do best: I mothered everyone, maintaining my calm, unruffled demeanor no matter what happened. If Silly had to be held still for some reason, he accepted it better while in my lap… I made sure to keep him close, stroking his head and chest ‘til the very last…
John got him going each morning, helping him reach his food and water bowls (or the bathtub faucet) and making sure he was tucked into a warm spot on a smooth blanket when he was finished… When the end arrived, he selected Silly’s final resting place and led us saying our good-byes…
I felt horrible for burying him in an old cardboard box with ‘Amazon’ stamped on the sides…until Beth finally reminded me: “Mom, he loved curling up and sleeping in empty boxes of any kind!”
He did. I’d forgotten.
We certainly didn’t mean for the end to play out like it did, but things progressed quickly during the last day… Even when you think you have plenty of time to plan, sometimes the hourglass runs out of sand…
Wishing you many blessings and hope…tg
Tammy will update her blog twice weekly…
