Doing Hard Things

We all do hard things in life. Whenever anyone asks me to describe the hardest thing I’ve ever done, my thoughts flow to the season I learned to ice climb. Definitely, without a doubt, one of the hardest mental and physical things I have ever willingly done.

But then you also have to do hard things not of your choosing. I was reminded late last night of just how much harder those can be.

Caddis (aka Sweet Pea), our deeply loved domestic shorthaired tabby cat, was 17 years old, having come into our lives via the Portland Humane Society. She chose us that day, sticking her paws out of the cage to entice us to take her home, which we did.

She lived in 3 states and spent a lot of her time holding pillows down. She liked to be carried around outside (she was mostly an indoor cat, afraid of the big bad world out there) and liked to snuggle with me on my pillow at night.

It was obvious last night that the time had come. Her body had succumbed to kidney failure and she was suffering.

We had a pretty grueling emotional time with losing our last cat in 2006. That chronically ill cat had to be placed in a vet’s care while we went on a long-scheduled vacation. The stress of that situation pushed her body over the edge. The day we came off the trail (and were still not home), I had a phone call from the vet telling me that she wouldn’t make it through the night. So we had to let her go from afar. I am obviously am still feeling some guilt about that based on how much it has hit me in the last 12 hours.

This time around, with Caddis, we could make the decision in her presence. Those of you that have done this with a much-loved pet know just how hard it is. Next time I feel daunted by a double century, or a 50k trail run, or a multi-day backpack with a pack that is too heavy, I will remind myself that those things are really very easy compared to telling the vet “go ahead” and feeling a body lose its warmth in your arms.

She went quickly and peacefully. Rest in peace, Sweet Pea.

I'm so sorry Sue. You know I'm sending you both lots of hugs.

V.

(((((((((((Yellow))))))))))))

Yes the feelings come back. But Sweet Pea's suffering has ended, so going quietly with love in the end is best end to a difficult decision. Other TE fur friends who have proceeded her, will be there to greet her at the Rainbow Bridge. Some of LBTC's butterflies will soon be flittering about her head, and Erin will show her a nice sunbeam to lie in. You are in our thoughts.

I'm sorry to hear about your kitty..:(

Yellow, you're a wonderful woman.

C

She was so lucky to have you.

I appreciate your sentiments about hard things. It's always good to keep the trivial in proper perspective.

Karen

Yellow,

I'm so sorry. Caddis was one very lucky cat to have you as her guardian.

I know this poem/story is long but I hope it helps.

THE LOVING ONES

The little orange boy stopped. Behind him, kitties were playing, chasing each other and wrestling in the warm sunshine. It looked like so much fun, but in front of him, through the clear stillness of the pond’s water, he could see his mommy. And she was crying.

He pawed at the water, trying to get at her, and when that didn’t work, he jumped into the shallow water. All that got him was wet and Mommy’s image danced away in the ripples. “Mommy!” he cried.

“Is something wrong?” The little orange boy turned around. A lady was standing at the edge of the pond, her eyes sad but filled with love. The little orange boy sighed and walked out of the water.

“There’s been a mistake,” he said. “I’m not supposed to be here.” He looked back at the water. It was starting to still again and his mommy’s image was coming back. “I’m just a baby. Mommy said it had to be a mistake. She said I wasn’t supposed to come here yet.”

The kind lady sighed and sat down on the grass. The little orange boy climbed into her lap. It wasn’t Mommy’s lap, but it was almost as good. When she started to pet him and scratch under his chin like he liked, he started to purr. He hadn’t wanted to, but couldn’t help it.

“I’m afraid there is no mistake. You are supposed to be here and your mommy knows it deep down in her heart,” the lady said. The little orange boy sighed and laid his head on the lady’s leg. “But she’s so sad. It hurts me to see her cry. And daddy too.”

“But they knew right from the beginning this would happen.”

“That I was sick?” That surprised the little orange boy. No one had ever said anything and he had listened when they thought he was sleeping. All he had heard them talk about was how cute he was or how fast he was or how big he was getting.

“No, not that you were sick,” the lady said. “But you see, they chose tears.”

“No, they didn’t,” the little orange boy argued. Who would choose to cry?

The lady gently brushed the top of his head with a kiss. It made him feel safe and loved and warm - but he still worried about his mommy. “Let me tell you a story,” the lady said.

The little orange boy looked up and saw other animals gathering around. Cats - Big Boy and Snowball and Shamus and Abby and Little Cleo and Robin. Merlin and Toby and Iggy and Zachary. Sweetie and Kamatte and Obie. Dogs too - Sally and Baby and Morgan and Rocky and Belle. Even a lizard named Clyde and some rats named Saffron and Becky and a hamster named Odo.

They all lay down near the kind lady and looked up at her, waiting.

She smiled at them and began:

A long, long time ago, the Loving Ones went to the Angel in Charge. They were lonesome and asked the Angel to help them.

The Angel took them to a wall of windows and let them look out the first window at all sorts of things - dolls and stuffed animals and cars and toys and sporting events.

“Here are things you can love,” the Angel said. “They will keep you from being lonesome.”

“Oh, thank you,” the Loving Ones said. “These are just what we need.”

“You have chosen Pleasure,” the Angel told them.

But after a time the Loving Ones came back to the Angel in Charge. “Things are okay to love,” they said. “But they don’t care that we love them.”

The Angel in Charge led them over to the second window. It looked out at all sorts of wild animals. “Here are animals to love,” he said. “They will know you love them.”

So the Loving Ones hurried out to care for the wild animals.

“You have chosen Satisfaction,” the Angel said.

Some of the Loving Ones worked at zoos and wild animal preserves, some just had bird feeder in their yards, but after a time they all came back to the Angel in Charge.

“They know we love them,” they told the Angel. “But they don’t love us back. We want to be loved in return.”

So the Angel took them to the third window and showed them lots of people walking around, hurrying places. “Here are people for you to love,” the Angel told them.

So the Loving Ones hurried off to find other people to love.

“You have chosen Commitment,” the Angel said.

But after a time a lot of the Loving Ones came back to the Angel in Charge.

“People were okay to love,” they said. “But sometimes they stopped loving us and left. They broke our hearts.”

The Angel just shook his head. “I cannot help you,” he said. “You will have to be satisfied with the choices I gave you.”

As the Loving Ones were leaving, someone saw a window off to one side and hurried to look out. Thorough it, they could see puppies and kittens and dogs and cats and lizards and hamsters and ferrets. The other loving Ones hurried over.

“What about these?” they asked.

But the Angel just tried to shoo them away. “Those are Personal Empathy Trainers,” he said. “But there’s a problem with their system operations.”

“Would they know that we love them?” someone asked.

“Yes,” the Angel said.

“Would they love us back?” another asked.

“Yes,” the Angel said.

“Will they stop loving us?” someone else asked.

“No,” the Angel admitted. “They will love you forever.”

“Then these are what we want,” the Loving Ones said.

But the Angel was very upset. “You don’t understand,” he told them. “You will have to feed these animals.”

“That’s all right,” the Loving Ones said.

“You will have to clean up after them and take care of them forever.”

“We don’t care.”

The Loving Ones did not listen. They went down to where the Pets were and picked them up, seeing the love in their own hearts reflected in the animals’ eyes.

“They were not programmed right,” the Angel said.

“We can’t offer a warranty. We don’t know how durable they are. Some of their systems malfunction very quickly, others last a long time.”

But the Loving Ones did not care. They were holding the warm little bodies and finding their hearts so filled with love that they thought they would burst.

“We will take our chances,” they said.

“You don’t understand.” The Angel tried one more time. “They are so dependent on you that even the most well-made of them is not designed to outlive you. You are destined to suffer their loss.”

The Loving Ones looked at the sweetness in their arms and nodded. “That is how it should be. It is a fair trade for the love they offer.”

The Angel just watched them all go, shaking her head. “You have chosen Tears,” he whispered.

“So it is,” the kind lady told the kitties. “And so each mommy and daddy knows. When they take a baby into their heart, they know that one day it will leave them and they will cry.”

The little orange boy sat up. “So why do they take us in?” he asked.

“Because even a moment of your love is worth years of pain later.”

“Oh.” The little orange boy got off the lady’s lap and went back to the edge of the pond. His mommy was still there, and still crying. “Will she ever stop crying?” he asked the kind lady.

She nodded. “You see, the Angel felt sorry for the Loving Ones, knowing how much they would suffer. He couldn’t take the tears away but he made them special.”

She dipped her hand into the pond and let the water trickle off her fingers. “He made them healing tears, formed from the special water here. Each tear holds bits of all the happy times of purring and petting and shared love. And the promise of love once again. As your mommy cries, she is healing. It will take a long while, but the tears will help her feel better. In time she will be less sad and she will smile when she thinks of you. And then she will open her heart again to another little baby.”

“But then she will cry again one day,” the little orange boy said.

The lady just smiled at him as she got to her feet. “No, she will love again. That is all she will think about.” She picked up Big Boy and Snowball and gave them hugs, then scratched Morgan’s ear just how she liked.

“Look,” she said. “The butterflies have come. Shall we go over to play?”

The other animals all ran ahead, but the little orange boy wasn’t ready to leave his mommy. “Will I ever get to be with her again?”

The kind lady nodded. “You’ll be in the eyes of every kitty she looks at. You’ll be in the purr of every cat she pets. And late at night, when she’s fast asleep, your spirit will snuggle up close to her and you both will feel at peace. One day soon, you can even send her a rainbow to tell her you’re safe and waiting for her for when it’s her turn to come.”

“I would like that,” the little orange boy said and he took one long look at his mommy. He saw her smile slightly through her tears and he knew she had remembered the time he almost fell into the bathtub. “I love you, Mommy,” he whispered. “It’s okay if you cry.” He glanced over at the other pets, running and playing and laughing with the butterflies. “Uh, Mommy? I gotta go play now, okay? But I’ll be around, I promise.”

Then he turned and raced after the others.

Author unknown…

((((((Yellow))))))) ((((((((Caddis))))))))

I know exactly how you feel. Mr. Grey Kitty died on Dec 8 of the same cause. I had decided that I was going to take him for a last vet trip that morning if he hadn't gone on his own. When I came downstairs that morning at about 5:30 I called his name and got a little meow in answer. So I put on the coffee and went and picked him up for a cuddle. He laid in my arms and purred. Then I laid him at my feet while I ate my cereal. After a moment his little feet jerked and he was gone.

I have 3 crape myrtle trees in the back yard with kitties buried underneath. Every summer they give me lovely flowers.

Letting go of an animal and releasing it from its suffering is a selfless act of love. Your kitty was very fortunate to have had you during her time on earth.

Her angel will bring her down to visit you and she will look over you.

{{{{Yellow and Caddis}}}} :(
I cry tears of sadness for you and tears of happiness for Caddis. She was a faithful and loyal companion and you showed her love and respect in her time of pain. You did a very difficult thing, but what was ultimately the right choice. I'm sorry for your suffering.

So sad for you. I still acutely feel the pain of the day in the spring when I had to do the same. My big 120-lb. pup walked with me to the end of the street, laid down, and never stood up again. When the vet told me he wouldn't get better, the decision seems like it should have been easy, but it wasn't. Like you, I'm glad I was able to be there with him.

I'm so, so sorry Yellow. I'm an animal person and am always sad to hear when a fellow TEer loses a pet. No matter how or when it happens, it's never easy.

Lots of hugs,

K-

Yellow, my heart goes out to you. :( I can only imagine how painful it was to have to let your furry darlin' go. I have a nine-year old border collie named Samantha (incidently, nicknamed Sweetpea) who positively walks on water for me. Somewhere in the future lies the heartache of my life---the day I have to let her go. I'm already dreading it.........Take comfort in knowing that you gave your kitty a wonderful, wonderful life. And that, in turn, she added a rich and uniquely meaningful experience to yours. No doubt Sweet Pea knew from the tip of her nose to the tip of her tail as she drifted off that she was, and will always be, deeply and dearly loved.

I think gently leading our pets to The Bridge is the most difficult thing we endure, particularly during the holidays. I am very sorry for your loss and I hope with time your heart is comforted with the memories of wonderful moments you shared with Sweet Pea.

Oh, Yellow! I'm so sorry. Yes, this is one of the hardest things we do, but the right thing without a doubt.

Sending big hugs and loads of butterflies, some for Caddis to light her way and guide her to the Rainbow Bridge, and many for you to help you see her spirit all around you, to bring acceptance, to heal your sad heart.

hugs,
~T~

{{{Yellow}}}{{{Caddis}}} I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Katrina, Toby, Kallie will greet your Sweet Pea to Rainbow Bridge with loving licks and purrs...

Yellow - so sorry for your loss - It is so hard to lose a kitty and especially at the holiday times. We lost our Little Kitty 3 years ago on the eve of December 23rd. It was a very sad thing. I'm sure Little Kitty is at the Rainbow Bridge ready to pounce on your sweet Kitty. Hopefully, they will get along!

spoke

I'm so sorry yellow. I call my best kitties "Sweet P" too. Your Sweat Pea enjoyed a long and happy life. Take care.

Crikey, Sue. This is a difficult time of year for you anyway, particularly this year. I'm holding my Sweet Pea and dripping some tears on him for you. I so want to offer solace but know there isn't much at such times, but a shoulder to lean on.

I am very grateful for you both that you were there to hold her. Those last moments of snuggling are so precious.

You have my total sympathy, Yellow. I'm glad Sweet Pea lived a well-loved life.

The title of this post immediately brought to mind the hardest thing I've ever had to do, and that was let go of my beloved Tango a year an a half ago (she was my canine companion of 11 years). I'm sorry that you had to go through it this season, Yellow. I really feel for you.

And as hard as it is, you did the right thing. Your dear Caddis left this life surrounded by love and is now at peace. If only we all could be guaranteed such an end. :)

((((((((Yellow)))))))))

((((((((((Yellow)))))))))) I hope the warm and happy memories you have of Sweet Pea will comfort you.

I read this thread an hour ago. I was crying so hard I could not begin to post. It even made my SO (soon to be DH) cry. Yellow, we are so sorry for your loss and the terrible-but-right decision you had to make. I have not had to do something like that for many years, but I know the time will come. We have four loving, wonderful, rescued cats; all indoors and all loved to the end of the earth. Someday we, too, will have to make the most difficult decisions ever.

Please know Michael and I, along with our four feline fur babies, send you and Sweet Pea our greatest love and sympathy. Caddis is no longer in pain. She is happily playing at the Bridge with many, many friends - waiting for the day when you can join her once again. May that be a very long time...{{{{{{{{HUG}}}}}}}}

((((yellow))))

I am so sorry. My healing heart hurts for you. We had to put down a beloved guinea pig a month ago. The vet said nothing more could be done to help her after trying to help her for a year. Although it was my daughter's pet, I was the one who spent dozens of hours syringe feeding her, etc. I cried and cried for that poor piggie. I didn't realize I could get so attached to a pet. Fortunately, DH took her to the vet for the last time. I couldn't handle it.

Sorry to do a mini-hijack, but your post brought back memories of last month. Here are some more hugs: ((((yellow))))

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts. Yesterday was really hard but today was better as I kept myself pretty busy. I think about her a lot at night when I'm laying in bed since she's not on my pillow.

LG, have I ever told you about the guinea pig farming venture DH and I ran while we were in college? I think we had about 30 at the peak. We love guinea pigs. They are fun pets, and get along well with cats, we found. Man, that was a long time ago...

Oh Sue, I'm so sorry. That is a tough decision and just a crummy thing to have to do. That it's the right thing doesn't make it any easier at all.

Take care of yourself. Big hug.

((((((Yellow))))))

Take care.

I thought of you and got a lump in my throat as Cassie crawled up by my pillow early this morning. I've never had a cat that slept on my pillow. Put that little body right next to your ear and man that purr is loud!

V.