It’s probably that time. It’s a time that none of us welcomes, but for any of you who have been pet owners, there comes a point when our furry friends have to leave us.
This will be our third pet to head to the Rainbow Bridge. Milly is close to 14, and hasn’t been eating or drinking for close to two weeks. She crumbled after the heat wave, and then spiraled further when the vet gave her a toxic antibiotic.
We have gone through heroic measures to keep her going, but I know it’s time to have that conversation.
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Of course the vet is always recommending additional alternatives to euthanasia. That’s what they are paid to do, and we shell out handsomely to give ourselves hope.
But two months ago, I witnessed the slow decline of my sister’s battle with cancer, and this only throws me back into months of watching her wither away with her futile attempts at hope, and inevitably her defeat.
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To see my cat losing weight, and not eating or drinking, reminds me that we are all mortal, and at some point we have to relinquish to the dark fist of death.
Do we keep trying to keep our cat going? Does she even want to be here anymore? If we invest in the vet’s recommendation, are we fooling ourselves into believing that she can survive the odds of more treatments, more expense, and more discomfort?
Or is it time to say that she’s had a good run, and let her join our other pets that have gone before her?
My heart is breaking. When Milly is lying on the pillow, I can pretend that she is OK and just taking a nap. But when I look at her hobbling around, not eating or drinking, and the sparkle absent from her eyes, I know that perhaps defeat might be a few days away.
Nature always wins – it’s a hard fact.
Our attempts to control nature inevitably result in defeat. Maybe it’s time to pack up our chips and realize that this is part of nature’s plan.
Our house will be sadly empty, with one less critter to care for. And despite my agony, I know that we will be doing the right thing if we let her go to where she is meant to go.
If she rallies, it will be a miracle.
Please wish me strength.