12/02/2023
The loss of a loved one is never easy, whether it’s human or furrbaby.
However I’ve always felt that a sudden loss hits a little different.
You came into my life at a time where we both needed to be saved. Just like every other furry, fluffy, hairy baby has.
I remember that day vividly.
I was driving home from work in the evening & as I pulled into Acorn Drive I noticed something in the road. It was a very small, what appeared to be a rag…a wet rag…in the middle of the street. I slowed down to drive around it & as I did I looked down to see you. A helpless kitten in a pool of blood, with one of your eyeballs popped out of its socket, after being hit by a car. I immediately stopped my car & called home asking for someone to bring me a towel. As soon as I was able to scoop you up I quickly drove to our veterinarian. After an initial exam & X-rays they determined the only injury was to your eye. They were able to save the eye by popping it back in, however you had lost your vision in that eye. Needless to say you were one very lucky kitten.
Around that time my marriage was falling apart, my beautiful sweet momma was starting her fight against Alzheimer’s & my beautiful loving daughter’s body was shutting down from a missed diagnosis of T1D. My life was in shambles to say the least.
Just like every other “rocky chapter” in my life, a helpless soul comes into it, so that I am able to have some sort of control of the outcome ~ per se. While I had no control over whether my momma had Alzheimer’s or my daughter had T1D, I could control nursing your little banged up body, back to health. So I did just that.
During your spoiled, exuberantly loved by so many…16 yrs of being on this earth, you’ve survived quite a few of your own “rocky chapters”. Hit by car as a kitten, cured from thyroid disease by going through radiation, survived being (accidentally) shot (where the shrapnel was safer to stay lodged in your hip than to remove it), a 3 day car ride (move to Florida) where you cried the *entire* time (still unsure how you never lost your voice) & lived a vibrant healthy life with kidney disease for over 10 years….which is a pretty good run. I would give anything to have you longer.
Even though I had noticed some changes over the last few weeks & had already made a “senior” exam appt in a week to see your doctor, nothing could’ve prepared for your very sudden decline over the past two days. Fortunately I work at an amazing animal hospital & while I was scheduled to work today, my coworkers didn’t flinch for a second when I came into work with not only you, but your “big” little brother Chez (you two have built the most precious bond..)
While deep in my soul I didn’t have a good feeling, everyone stayed positive which allowed me to have hope. Dr Dunn, who has been Boo’s doctor over the last year, started with some bloodwork to see where your kidney values were. Only a few months back your bloodwork actually looked pretty good. If all still looked good we would move on to fluids & X-rays. Unfortunately your bloodwork was bad. Very bad. With Dr Dunn’s gentlest words he confirmed what I already knew in my heart. While I may have known, my body still started to crumble… from the inside out.
The only people aware of this, while it was happening, were Will & Emma & my coworkers. Will was very surprised to hear how suddenly you had declined as he was just with you two days ago. Emma was equally shocked as she was also blindsided by your sudden decline.
Many people in my life know how hard & deep I love “my people”. This isn’t any different when it comes to my furrbabies. I normally chose to have my furries cross the rainbow bridge in my home. Peacefully surrounded by all their familiar sounds, smells & by the souls who love them so deeply. Unfortunately, due to the suddenness of your decline, this was not an option. However I will be forever grateful for the kindness, support & love that surrounded you…my beautiful/sweet/loving girl, Chez & me, while we all faced this *together*. I couldn’t have asked for anything more.
Here are just a few beautiful memories I will have from today:
“she couldn’t have possibly been loved any more than you loved her “
“Boo is and always will be such a huge part of our family, our family’s story and our history. she brought warmth in the cold and she brought light in the dark. i know you’ll be finding pieces of her with you for the rest of your life”
“Thank you for your kindness in doing what was right for her. By being with her from the very beginning to the very end”
“I was glad to be able to be there for you both ……my heart breaks for your loss today, Jenn…... Such a beautiful, sweet, biscuit making girl….. you obviously both had an amazing bond for each other……and such bonds last forever.”
** To everyone who has been reaching out from my earlier post, thank you for your love & concern. This part of their journey always hits me hard but the suddenness of it all has really rocked me. I just need some time. ** 🫶🏼
