The minute you let a pet into you life you know this day will come but you don't know when. I had scooped her up from a colony of feral cats living nearby in a state park. I picked the calico because she was pregnant and Odessa because I strongly suspected she was her mother or a least her aunt. The year was 2001 and my own mother has just died. That brought the count up to three cats, a nice normal number.
Today I had to put her down. It is a surreal process. Having done this before made it easier. Having had both parents and a brother die reframed the perspective. Knowing that I had brought her in to live an easier albeit more confined life helped.
How we deal with loss says a lot about us. I think I lived avoiding loss for a long time. I now see that cheated me out of things and people I truly would have enjoyed had the fear of loss not overshadowed the potential of joy. So in this moment I am surprisingly OK. In this moment....
I have jokingly said that the reason God did not make dogs and cats to live as long as parrots is that no one would get married. Each pet comes into our lives to help us through the time we have together. How lonely a journey it would be without them.
Miss you my Dessabella.
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7 comments:
thanks, Leslie. Big Big Hug. I sit here in my office with the maybe not as faint smell of cat as I'd prefer, thinking of how much I depend on them and how much I need to let you know that I am thinking of you.
I'm so sorry for your loss, Leslie. But it sounds like you and Odessa were very fortunate to have each other for the time you did.
Leslie: Sorry to hear about Odessa. She was a great cat with a distinct personality. You gave her a good home, and gave her the chance to spend the last years of her life in a better place. Peggy
Peggy just let me know. Leslie, am so sorry to hear about Dessa. She had a great personality and the best mouser I ever knew. I loved brushing her silky coat and loved that she knew she was the queen to be adored and obeyed.
She had a wonderful life with you and the other cats. You should be proud of what you have done to rescue the whole crew you have.
Leslie, so sorry to hear about Odessa. She was and will always be a great cat. You gave her a great life. She was the queen of your feline harem.
Sheila
Hi Leslie, I just read what you wrote about your kitty. It is sad that our pet relationships are sometimes so short and it is true we bond in such a deep way. I am sorry you have lost a good friend but truly speaking you will never lose her and she is always with you on some level. You were so lucky to have her with you for the time you did :) Kind Regards, melissa
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