And our week went from stones......to diamonds......and back to stones.
After the happiness and excitement of Tuesday evening when Dilly returned, I never imagined that I would be writing these words today.
Yesterday morning we had to have Dilly put to sleep.
On Friday morning he was fine, ate a hearty breakfast, had his milk as a treat, and spent the day doing what he did usually. And when he didn't come in for supper, we weren't unduly worried......after all, he had been missing for seventeen days so why worry after a few hours?
But when Rob took Alfie for his late night emptying, there was Dilly lying in his kruiwa, and for the first time ever, he did not accompany Rob when he went out of the gate. Rob was immediately concerned, so I went to have a look, but a black cat in the dark doesn't give anything away, and he seemed pleased to see me, even coming into the house and settling on the couch in the office for the night.
I was awake at first light yesterday morning and went down to see if Dilly was in or out. He was still on the couch and when I saw him I knew that our boy was a very sick cat. His one eye was closed and his breathing was laboured. He felt hot and clammy and did not want to move. The vet opened at nine and we were there, second in the queue dead on time.
She tested him for both leukaemia and feline AIDS, and he tested positive for AIDS. There was nothing that she could do and we knew that we had only one choice.
We stayed with him and stroked him and the end was quick and peaceful and painless.
I think that he came home to spend his last few days with us, and I am so glad that when it mattered the most, we were there for him. Dilly was never a cuddly cat, never an 'inside' cat, and he never really lost his 'feralness', but for the eight years that he was with us, he loved us in his own way.
He is now in the garden next to Daffy his old friend, and Clyde who knew them both for a while.
And I can only pray that when my time comes, I have someone to make sure that for me too, it is quick and peaceful and painless, in the company of those people who love me.
Sleep well Dilly.
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| Such beautiful words. (Thanks to Google) |
4 comments:
I am shattered and my heart breaks with you. He did come home to spend his last days with you. Lots of love xxx
My darling sister, I think we've said it all to each other, we're there for each other at these times. Each loss takes a little bit of us with it, but nothing can take the memories.
Rest in peace with Daffy and Clyde, dear Dilly.
It never gets any easier does it. Thank you both for the thoughts xxxxx
RIP Dilly. My friend, you gave him some good years in his life that wasn't always as comfortable. He came to you to help him in his hour of need, and you loved him enough to let him go from his pain. He is gone, but has left humongous paw prints in your hearts, so will never be forgotten. Lotzaluv and hugs to you both xxxxxx
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