Ups and Downs
It has been a rough few weeks around here. We had to put our beloved cat to sleep. His name was Jack. He was about 17 years old. We got him from the shelter when he was about 2 years old so he has been a part of our lives for a large portion of my children’s lives. He was a good cat. He was definitely a little unusual. He didn’t realize human laps were for sitting on for at least 14 years. Jack couldn’t jump very well so I never had to worry about him being on counters or the kitchen table. He didn’t realize the outdoors was a viable option and basically ignored its existence. He wasn’t the brightest cat but he sure did love his people and his people loved him.
We obviously knew he was getting older and we had taken him to the vet recently because of some concerns about his health but we all, including the vet, thought he had a little more time. Then, one afternoon, he had a seizure and didn’t recover properly. We took him to the vet where they did a quality of life exam and we all agreed it was time. The vet told us we were giving Jack something many of his patients didn’t get; a peaceful end without too much intervention.
It was and is hard for my family. Pets add so much to our lives and then they tear our hearts out when they go.
I am already hearing murmerings from my husband and kids about the possibility of a new cat. They say they can’t replace Jack but the house feels so empty. We shall see.
On the brighter side, I found a new job in our new location. I will be working at a library again. It is very similar to the job I was doing before except I also will work at the children’s desk one shift a week. I started last week and everyone seems very nice. I just have to manage to keep straight all the differences in policy between the two libraries! The library is having a huge book sale next week and I work all the days the sale is going on. I need to visit every day and buy lots of books. Right? I deserve a little treat.
Life is full of so many ups and downs. I tend to always be braced for disaster which isn’t necessarily the healthiest way to approach life. I am working on taking each day as it comes because somehow we always get through the disasters and worrying about them before they happen doesn’t help any of us.
5 Comments
Kate Harper
You’ve brought me to tears. I had to have my beloved Marty put down a year ago July, and I’m still mourning him. He was 15, had CKD but was doing OK with it (no sub-q fludids yet) when he developed a heart murmur and by the end of every day all he could do was lie on the floor breathing like a steam engine. Intellectually I know it was the best, to save him from further suffering, but my heart doesn’t accept that yet. As the saying goes:
“Your wings were ready but my heart was not.”
I know Jack had a good life, and he did live to a ripe old age (for a cat.) And yes, the hole le left is enormous, and won’t be easily filled, if ever. Another cat may come into your life but he (or she) will make his/her own space in your hearts.
In the meantime, my thoughts are with you, and my empathy.
jllee656
Thank you so much for your sympathy. I am so sorry about your Marty. We love our pets but the loss when they go is immense. I still expect to see Jack around every corner.
Elisabeth
So sorry to hear about Jack’s passing! I’ve been following you for years and enjoy your blog and instagram very much. Thank you for taking the time to post! Like you, I love books, reading and everything and anything to do with the British Isles. I love dogs and cats, but have only had cats for years and years. Listen to your family’s ” murmerings ” … they might be on to something!
By the way, another thing we seem to have in common is “bracing for the worst”. I need to work on that, it can be pretty exhausting.
Greetings from Austria, Elisabeth
jllee656
Bracing for the worst is exhausting but it is a bad habit I can’t seem to break. Thank you for your comments over the years.
Lyn
You are right. Jack was a good cat. We liked him a lot. When there are too many painful events you seem to need to be always. alert. It’s from many things thrown at you. You can’t help ducking.