We took Nick to see a local veterinarian Friday morning. He said that Nick's heartbeat was muffled, difficult to hear. He ran a blood and urine test. He said that Nick's organs seemed to be shutting down.
Truth is that Nick hit a low health point last weekend. He was having difficulty keeping his food down and had vomited a few times. Throughout last week, Nick had no appetite; he vomited occasionally; and he did not want to drink water.
The veterinarian gave us an antibiotic for Nick to take for the infection he had. We were given some pureed cat food and a dropper for it. Nick just couldn't keep the food and the medicine down. He grew more lethargic. In the end, we just gave him water, dispensed from a dropper.
The three of us had a quiet evening at home. We took turns sitting next to Nick and then holding him. He quacked/meowed at us several times. We could tell he was slipping away. Praise God that He helped us to know that. We spent the evening telling stories about Nick, remembering all kinds of things about our times together.
This morning, we took Nick to see the veterinarian around 9:00 a.m. The doctor said that Nick's eyes were dilated; his heartbeat was barely audible. Charles and I had our hands on Nick as the doctor administered the drug that very, very quickly helped Nick to be released from the confines of this world. In a matter of seconds, Nick was at peace. We were amazed how quickly it happened. The doctor was amazingly supportive and tender towards us. It helped so much!
We brought Nick home. Charles prepared a special place in our back yard for him, directly under the bird feeder. Nick always loved looking out at his friends the birds. He delighted in their activities. He would often quack/meow at them.
Charles wrapped him in a white sheet, and then he placed him into the big box, in which he always stored his Navy "covers"/hats. We collected pictures of Nick, and placed them in zip lock bags, along with a note detailing Nick's name, birth and death dates and... praising God for the gift of Nick in our lives.
Charles placed Nick into the ground. And then he walked over to the rosebush in our back garden and selected a lovely rose, handed it to Belinda, and then she placed it over Nick. We said prayers of Thanksgiving for all the great memories of Nick, and then Charles completed the burial. We placed a special marker over where Nick is buried. It states: Cats Leave Paw Prints on Our Hearts... Loveable Tabby, You Are Always in Our Hearts.
Afterwards, we planted a chrysanthemum next to where Nick is buried. It had a lot of "spent"/dead buds on it and also loads of brand new buds on it. It seemed symbolic: yes, there were so many "dead" buds, but the plant still has so many new buds on it... more life to come. After we buried the plant, we removed all the dead/spent buds. We look forward to the new life that will spring forth from that plant. It is something to which we can look forward!
Nick is gone from this earthly realm, but now he is at rest; he is in a much, much better place! Life changes, rearranges and evolves... Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow... and one of those many blessings was the joy of knowing "Nick the Cat" Alkula!!!
P.S. Nick has started something. We plan to develop all along, up and down that side row of the back yard, i.e., landscape it and plant some special plants in it... come spring! Praise God that we can always look forward to spring!!!
5 comments:
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...
Good Bye Nick, you are truly loved.
The Rainbow Bridge
inspired by a Norse legend
By the edge of a woods, at the foot of a hill,
Is a lush, green meadow where time stands still.
Where the friends of man and woman do run,
When their time on earth is over and done.
For here, between this world and the next,
Is a place where each beloved creature finds rest.
On this golden land, they wait and they play,
Till the Rainbow Bridge they cross over one day.
No more do they suffer, in pain or in sadness,
For here they are whole, their lives filled with gladness.
Their limbs are restored, their health renewed,
Their bodies have healed, with strength imbued.
They romp through the grass, without even a care,
Until one day they start, and sniff at the air.
All ears prick forward, eyes dart front and back,
Then all of a sudden, one breaks from the pack.
For just at that instant, their eyes have met;
Together again, both person and pet.
So they run to each other, these friends from long past,
The time of their parting is over at last.
The sadness they felt while they were apart,
Has turned into joy once more in each heart.
They embrace with a love that will last forever,
And then, side-by-side, they cross over… together.
© 1998 Steve and Diane Bodofsky. All Rights Reserved.
Nick was a good cat, even though he thought he was a dog. We have several great memories of the time he spent with us. Nick will be missed by Staci, Fantine, and Cosette.
-Dale Alkula
All of us here at Coastal Cat Clinic are saddened by the loss of Nick. Over the past year he's become like family. We knew he was in his winter season (you just don't see alot of 14-15 year old manxs), but would not have guessed that he would pass so soon. He did so well until he finally decided to let go.
I find it a touching coincidence that he hung on long enough to be able to spend several days basking in the sun and indulging in some of the comforts of home with his family (as documented in your blog photos) before he moved on to the Rainbow Bridge. At least he did not have to endure some prolonged illness and it does not sound like he made your decision to let go of him any more difficult to make than it necessarily needed to be.
Know that we miss Nick too and that you are in our thoughts.
Sincerely,
C Smith, DVM, Annie, Eyvonne, Stacy, and Marsha
the staff of Coastal Cat Clinic
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