What Are You Waiting For?

The Good Death

by Dr. Mel Newton

Here is a portion of the blog post:

"Here’s the thing. 

Most people wait too long. 

Concerned with cutting a life short unnecessarily, or guilt-wracked with should-of’s and could’ves, they hang on to their pet’s continued existence as proof that this is not a convenience euthanasia.

But, we need to remember that animal cares nothing for our intentions, or whether there is some small hope of a better future. An animal lives in the present. Any decision to prolong suffering should be because there is a significant hope that a life that can be well-lived on the other side of that suffering. 

So, let’s set aside the guilt, sadness, and all those other complicated human emotions that are important and real, but don’t matter to the animal in front of us. 

When is it time? 

Let me ask you another question. 

What are you waiting for?"

I read this post just before The Hubby and I decided that Angel had had enough.

And each one of us pet-loving humans is different, and must rely on our own circumstance to make this decision.

As much as my heart still aches with longing to hear Angel's meow again, setting her free was what we felt that we needed to do.

Read Dr. Newton's post; you'll gain insight, I know that you will!

*AND*

Small Tales Blog published a lovely post about our Angel, read it here:

Angel From The East Side Cat Arrives at The Rainbow Bridge,

It made me cry, and that's a good thing!

💔😿💔

I Miss Sammy

6/12/14: Sammy's Gone

Angel Sammy left for The Rainbow Bridge four years ago today, and I miss him still.  He wasn't well, and I tried hard to keep him with us, but he'd had enough and was ready to leave.  The veterinarian said that his mouth was 'a mess' when I finally trapped Sammy, and carried him in for a dental procedure.  She felt the kindest thing was to let him go, and as I looking into his eyes, he told me that it was his time.  The veterinarian cried along with me, as Sammy drifted off to Heaven.  However, I still have that twinge of guilt, because maybe we could have administered medicine, by mixing it with his food perhaps.  At that time, neither of us had any experience with pilling or medicating cats, since Chuck wasn't diagnosed with his heart and kidney problems yet.  And Sammy was feral, or the complete opposite of a house-cat.  So, Sammy, I love you and miss you, and hope you can feel my affection for you. 

💔💓Sammy 💓💔

Sammy, Two Years Ago

Last years post: Sammy, One Year Ago

Hard to believe that two years have past since I said goodbye to Sammy. It's a gloriously beautiful day here in Michigan; temps are warm, with nice breezes.  Blue sky, and all the house windows are open to enjoy it all.  I wish Sammy were here; sleeping out in the yard, warming himself in the sunshine.

We used the drop trap to catch Sammy on April 28, 2010, to get him neutered and a rabies shot.  On October 30, 2010, I trapped him again, because he was not using his front leg due to a bite wound. Little did I know then, that one day I would be able to pet Sammy, and that we would be good friends.  When we noticed that his mouth didn't seem right, I tried trapping him AGAIN many times, but he would evade us each time.  Finally, I hit on the idea of replacing the feeding station with the drop trap, and I left it alone for weeks before I safely trapped old Sammy one last time.

Looking back, the veterinarian was maybe too quick to pull the 'euthanasia' trigger, but he was suffering with a mouth full of rotten teeth.  I could have maybe insisted upon dental work, no matter what the cost.  But we never got that far.  Once the vet ran the test that Sammy was FIV positive, she told me that the kindest thing was to let him go.  And I tell you, believe it or not, that Sammy too 'told' me that he was ready to leave his body.  I did not want to face it, but I nodded and let him slip away.  Sammy is the reason that I do not loan out my trap; it belongs only in my yard, with my cat friends.  I'll build new ones for folks, but I will keep Sammy's Trap close by. I remember how glad I was to have finally trapped him that day, and how later my heart twisted with sadness and regret.  Such a swing of emotions, and it was two years ago.  Wow.