Goodbye Bugs (and Thanks)

[jceman 1]

Well, Lynn and I have lost a couple pounds each with all the tears we have shed, but Bugs is in kitty heaven now.

We thank you for all your support, here in the forum, in PMs and IMs. It helps a lot.

For those who mentioned that her blindness need not be that much of a problem, we understand what you were saying, but you may have missed that her blindness was simply the latest insult and not the deciding issue, her struggle for breath was. Sorry if that didn't come through in my first post.

The vet did give her an examination as we wanted to be certain and he confirmed that she was moving very little air at all and seemed to be going purely on adrenaline as her heart was racing.

I stood behind the assistant and stroked Bugs' back while the Doctor shaved a small patch on her leg. He then earned my undying respect by leaning over and kissing her on her nose before he administered the final relaxant. Lynn held my other hand as she swiftly slipped out of this world. The two of them then left us to say our final goodbyes; with many Kleenexes, hugs and stroking of her soft fur, we said so long to our long-time companion.

I feel sad, yet I feel glad that I know she is no longer suffering. The house is a little bit lonlier this morning, but it feels as though a weight has been lifted from us. It may be that wee kitty-shaped hole in our hearts.

BTW, Lynn has given me my assignment. When we get back from Rantoul, I have to go to the shelter and pick out a new kitty. She says "I can't -- I'd want to bring them all home!"; my response was to ask if she thought it would be any easier for me. She said no, but with impeccable logic said that since kitty will be here with me all day, it makes more sense for me to choose her/him (or more likely, to be chosen by her/him).

So once again, thanks for all your support. It helps.

Faster horses, younger women, older whiskey, more money.

Why do they call it "Tourist Season" if we can't shoot them?

[mnealtx 0]

It's never an easy thing to do....but sometimes it's the only thing you CAN do....

I found this online - hope that it helps ease your grief.



A Parting Prayer

Dear Lord, please open your gates
and call St. Francis
to come escort this beloved companion
across the Rainbow Bridge.

Assign her to a place of honor,
for she has been a faithful servant
and has always done her best to please me.

Bless the hands that send her to you,
for they are doing so in love and compassion,
freeing her from pain and suffering.

Grant me the strength not to dwell on my loss.
Help me remember the details of her life
with the love she has shown me.
And grant me the courage to honor her
by sharing those memories with others.

Let her remember me as well
and let her know that I will always love her.
And when it's my time to pass over into your paradise,
please allow her to accompany those
who will bring me home.

Thank you, Lord,
for the gift of her companionship
and for the time we've had together.

And thank you, Lord,
for granting me the strength
to give her to you now.

Amen.

- © Brandy Duckworth, 1998

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[ladyskydiver 0]

Many hugs to you and Lynn.

Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile.

[Nightingale 0]

hugs and vibes to you, and blue skies to Bugs.

[GiaKrembs 0]

Jack,

I just finished reading both of your Bugs post's. My heart goes out to you and Lynn! Sincere condolences to you both.

My cat became very ill last year (he's in remission now), but every day I live in fear coming home to find my baby weak, jaundiced, and in pain. There is nothing worse than seeing your babies in pain. At least you know that you offered Bugs peace.

Sleep with the Angels Bugs g

Raddest ho this side of Jersey #1 - rest in peace brother
Beth lost her cherry and I missed it
.... you want access to it, but you don't want to break it.

[ChasingBlueSky 0]

Hey jack, sorry to hear. I understand how hard it is...for the same very reasons I had to put down my dog that I had for 13 years. That was a lucky cat to have you two as parents for so long!

_________________________________________
you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me....
I WILL fly again.....

[Guest]

For you & Lynn, Jack...

Please see also "For Every Cat, An Angel", by Christine Davis. It's absolutely charming and very moving at the same time; I can't read it without getting choked up -- mh

A PETS' 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.

You will be sad, I understand.
Don't let your grief then stay your hand,
For this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship stand the test.

We've had so many happy years
What is to come can hold no fears.
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 until the end,
And hold me firm and speak to me,
Until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time you will see
It is a kindness you do to me
Although my tail its last has waved
From pain and suffering I've been saved.

Don't grieve it should be you,
Who decides this thing to do,
We've been so close, we two, these years
Don't let your heart hold any tears.
Smile - for we walked together,
For a little while.

mh

.

[WFFC 1]

When you bring a pet into your life, you begin a journey - a journey that will bring you more love and devotion than you have ever known, yet also test your strength and courage. If you allow, the journey will teach you many things, about life, about yourself, and most of all, about love. You will come away changed forever, for one soul cannot touch another without leaving its mark. Along the way, you will learn much about savoring life's simple pleasures - jumping in leaves, snoozing in the sun, the joys of puddles, and even the satisfaction of a good scratch behind the ears. If you spend much time outside, you will be taught how to truly experience every element, for no rock, leaf, or log will go unexamined, no rustling bush will be overlooked, and even the very air will be inhaled, pondered, and noted as being full of valuable information. Your pace may be slower - except when heading home to the food dish - but you will become a better naturalist, having been taught by an expert in the field. Too many times we hike on automatic pilot, our goal being to complete the trail rather than enjoy the journey. We miss the details - the colorful mushrooms on the rotting log, the honeycomb in the old maple snag, the hawk feather caught on a twig. Once we walk as a dog does, we discover a whole new world. We stop; we browse the landscape, we kick over leaves, peek in tree holes, look up, down, all around. And we learn what any dog knows: that nature has created a marvelously complex world that is full of surprises, that each cycle of the seasons bring ever changing wonders, each day an essence all its own. Even from indoors you will find yourself more attuned to the world around you. You will find yourself watching summer insects collecting on a screen. (How bizarre they are! How many kinds there are!), or noting the flick and flash of fireflies through the dark. You will stop to observe the swirling dance of windblown leaves, or sniff the air after a rain. It does not matter that there is no objective in this; the point is in the doing, in not letting life's most important details slip by. You will find yourself doing silly things that your pet-less friends might not understand: spending thirty minutes in the grocery aisle looking for the cat food brand your feline must have, buying dog birthday treats, or driving around the block an extra time because your pet enjoys the ride. You will roll in the snow, wrestle with chewie toys, bounce little rubber balls till your eyes cross, and even run around the house trailing your bathrobe tie - with a cat in hot pursuit - all in the name of love. Your house will become muddier and hairier. You will wear less dark clothing and buy more lint rollers. You may find dog biscuits in your pocket or purse, and feel the need to explain that an old plastic shopping bag adorns your living room rug because your cat loves the crinkly sound. You will learn the true measure of love - the steadfast, undying kind that says, "It doesn't matter where we are or what we do, or how life treats us as long as we are together." Respect this always. It is the most precious gift any living soul can give another. You will not find it often among the human race. And you will learn humility. The look in my dog's eyes often made me feel ashamed. Such joy and love at my presence. She saw not some flawed human who could be cross and stubborn, moody or rude, but only her wonderful companion. Or maybe she saw those things and dismissed them as mere human foibles, not worth considering, and so chose to love me anyway. If you pay attention and learn well, when the journey is done, you will be not just a better person, but the person your pet always knew you to be - the one they were proud to call beloved friend. I must caution you that this journey is not without pain. Like all paths of true love, the pain is part of loving. For as surely as the sun sets, one day your dear animal companion will follow a trail you cannot yet go down. And you will have to find the strength and love to let them go. A pet's time on earth is far too short - especially for those that love them. We borrow them, really, just for awhile, and during these brief years they are generous enough to give us all their love, every inch of their spirit and heart, until one day there is nothing left. The cat that only yesterday was a kitten is all too soon old and frail and sleeping in the sun. The young pup of boundless energy wakes up stiff and lame, the muzzle now gray. Deep down we somehow always knew that this journey would end. We knew that if we gave our hearts they would be broken. But give them we must for it is all they ask in return. When the time comes, and the road curves ahead to a place we cannot see, we give one final gift and let them run on ahead - young and whole once more. "Godspeed, good friend," we say, until our journey comes full circle and our paths cross again.

-----
~~~Michael