R.I.P. Thomas

Best boy, suddenly claimed by Feline Aortic Thromboembolism (aka F.A.T.E., or Saddle Thrombus) this morning. I thought he had a broken back, his back legs had become useless. But he also had lung involvement, and could barely breathe. Took him to the emergency vet where they said that there was pretty much no treatment, but that if they did treat with anticoagulants it would only recur. He was 13, and he was in so much distress, it was a no brainer for me to have him euthanased. Having said that, I'll now say this. It doesnt get any easier. I'm sitting here even now, half expecting him to come in and demand to be brushed and given treats.

Rest in Peace, Tom.

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Tom, resigned to his fate. by kyte50, on Flickr
 
one of my customers who was close enough to nearly call him a friend passed this week. His wife came in today to bring me some of his ashes. I just about lost it, but the store was too busy. I hugged her a long time and consoled her the best I could. She saw it coming, but there's no way to prepare for the death of loved one. It hit me hard and I haven't lived with him for 44 years. I can only imagine her pain.

Now I hear that one of my fave flickr cats has been called to the great beyond. My eyes are welling up just thinking about your pain. Our lives with these furry ones are just a brief collection of shared moments. And we have no clear, easy to understand shared language. But that doesn't stop us from sharing in moments of joy, and peace and love. We learn to read their expressions and movements. We care for them the best we can, and they do the same for us. There's no words I can use to make the "missing him" part hurt any less or pass any sooner. But Thomas is without pain now and that must bring some solace. I'm gonna troll through your flickr tonight and say goodbye to my old buddy. I need a good cry tonight anyways.

requiescat in pace sweet Tommy
 
I'm so sorry to hear this Sue, but you did the only thing you could possibly do for him in the end. I know how much you will miss him and just what a huge part of our lives our furry friends become :( xxxxx
 
So sorry to hear Sue. Because of how much you shared of and about Tom here, it always seemed like he was the "forum cat". I'm heavily allergic and can't live with cats, but in always felt sort of close to Tom through your stories and photos. I got to like him, which I usually don't with cats. And now I'll / we'll miss him, although nothing like you do and will. But you know you did the right thing by him, as you always did. He was loved and knew it to the extent animals understand such. And that's all any of us can do for our animal family members.

RIP Tom... And hang in there Sue - it's always hardest on those of us left behind.

-Ray
 
Sue, I am so sad for you. I know how much you loved Tom, and he you. It's very hard to lose such a well loved pet as Tom.

Although your photographs of Tom don't make up for his not being with you now, thank goodness you made so many wonderful portraits of your boy. My thoughts are with you.
 
Thanks, everyone, for your kind words. They do help. Its not easy, really, when your pet *is* your family. I have no children or close family or partner, so Tom was my family. I say now there will be no more cats, but I am only kidding myself. In time...
 
So sorry for your loss Sue. Sending a big hug your way. It's never easy. We just have to keep reminding ourselves how blessed we were to have them in our lives.. and as their caretakers, how we gave that love back.
 
I'm terribly sorry for your loss, Sue :( I know it's hard to lose a pet... they become part of our lives and give so much back... even just by being there...
He had a good life though - thanks to you.
Hang in there, Sue, our thoughts are with you.
 
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