Pandora belonged to my wife's parents who adopted her as a one year old. Mom and Pop loved that cat. We got Christmas and birthday cards from Pandora. And Pandora was the one who was with Mom when she died, having moved from the adjacent bed to lie next to Mom on the day before and the day after she died. Pandora then came to live with us, adapting to the other cats slowly but relishing the attention given to her.
It seems oddly coincidental that Pandora looks like a skeleton, having lost so much weight over the past month. She is the cat version of what Pop looked like before he died. "Failure to thrive" seems to happen to both humans and animals when life has dwindled to the point where the body is wasting away. Every time I look at her now and stroke her bony frame, it tears at my heart because I am reminded of Pop's last days.
I don't have much more to say about this. Our love for animals is huge. But the animals tell us when they are sick and suffering. Keep us in your thoughts as we carry on with letting go of Pandora.
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| Pandora on the bed after Mom died |
You are a kind soul to do what you must do for Pandora even as it hurts you so much. I am sorry for your loss and pain.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for you loss. It's so hard and yet so kind.
ReplyDeleteSherry
With recovery I am able to be more present with myself and what is happening around me. People, animals and nature benefit from my recovery....
ReplyDeleteOne day at a time
I am thinking tenderly of all of you.
ReplyDeletemmm...hard day...i sat with my cat as she passed...hard to believe its been almost a year and a half since then...they are such a part of the family...
ReplyDeleteHi Syd,
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry that Pandora is leaving us. You did a wonderful thing to provide her with a good home in her last days, after both her owners passed away last year. You gave that love back to nature. She was a blessed creature to have been loved for so long.
Anonymous #1
Sending my best to you, your wife and Pandora. I remember when you took her home. It's so sad, but you are doing what's best for you beloved pet.
ReplyDeleteMy heart breaks for you. I understand your thinking, I'm of the same opinion, yet that does not make it any less painful. They are a part of us.... Love and hugs to you both.
ReplyDeleteI know it won't be but this is the third animal I have heard of being euthanized, the first our dog that killed the bear...you're right Syd, when there is no quality of life left them be merciful.
ReplyDeleteOur animals are such an important part of our lives... it is hard to let them go when it is time. All three of my pups are in their senior years and know those days will come soon, but until then I will enjoy them with all my heart.
ReplyDeleteThis is one time I can say that I know what you are feeling. For I have been through the same, time and again, the most recent our Rhodesian Ridgeback +German Shepherd, age 5, bone cancer. He "told" us last January that he was ready to leave....PEACE, Syd.
ReplyDeleteLove and sympathy, Syd, and I hope the beloved cat passes peacefully. It is so hard to let go.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for your loss. It sounds like she had a happy and long life both before and with you. I know how hard this can be--sending prayers...
ReplyDeleteYou and C have had so many losses in the past few years Syd. I pray that this will be the last for a good while. I do like the way that you let the animals tell you when it's time to leave ...perhaps they are better at accepting the inevitables of life.
ReplyDeleteOur relation with our animals is so poignant. I look into my dogs eyes and see infinity.
ReplyDeleteJust stopped to visit your blog and want to give my deep condolences for saying goodbye to Pandora. Earlier this year we had to let go of our beloved dog, Einstein. It was a difficult but beautiful transition for him and our family. Fur babies are such blessing to our lives.
ReplyDelete:( so sorry to hear you dealing with this. poor pandora blesser.. grief is ongoing thing.. and it has come up for you two lately.. takes it out of you a bit..just dont have the time and energy to deal with difficult people and situations in the same way as before.. need more rest. Thinking of you both while you deal with this.. cats and animals are so dignified and clear when dealing with onset of death.. i know how much you love your animals syd so thinking of you both.. irish
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