"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands........" 1 Thessalonians 4:11

Friday, October 3, 2008

Elmo, One more kitty, a lot more tears

I have reached a time in my life, where along with my children growing up and leaving the nest, the childhood pets that have grown with them have reached an age of illness and death. I gave Elmo up this morning to the merciful death needle of the veterinarian. She had been with us for 11 years and was the faithful companion of my daughter, who has flown so many miles away from home. Elmo entered our life when she was a tiny 8 week old and my daughter was a tiny 8 year old. Some friends of ours saw this tiny cat being tossed out of the moving car in front of them, giving the cat a damage hip. They met us at the local park, bringing this tiny, furry, baby with them. My daughter claimed her instantly and named her Elmo. Elmo spent her days and nights sleeping at the side of my daughter. She never cared to explore the woods, but preferred to stay close to home. When my daughter moved away, Elmo moved herself out to the apartment shed where I had stored my daughter's things. I had noticed the change in Elmo's interest in food, and thought it was due to getting older and the weather changing. Then I noticed her drooling extremely bad. She got to where she could not drink or eat properly. I thought it might be a broken tooth. I opened her mouth to have a look, and that's when I saw a large growth inside of her mouth. Taking her to the vet, made what I feared to be true. Cancer. The vet gave me several options, take her home with antibiotics to see if it goes down, 3 more days of starving and not much water, expensive tests for what we already pretty much know, and the risk of cutting it out, with so many veins, and again, not being able to eat or drink well until it heals. When it comes to these things, I take the coward's way out. I think it hurts me most because Elmo was something of my daughter that was still here at home. This weekend, when my daughter calls, I will have to tell her what has happened. She is much better at accepting things like this than I am. I always get too attached. Our cat family is dwindling down, and there are older cats still here. I know too soon, I unfortunately will be writing about them. A lot of people will say, "it's only a cat", but to me they are companions, comics, and heart melters. Little old ladies and gentlemen in fur coats. Goodbye, my sweet little old lady. I will miss you.

16 comments:

Phill said...

Rest in peace, old Elmo. You were loved, and I know you had a good life.

KathyB. said...

Oh, what a sad time for you. What a loss for you. There is really nothing more to say about your loss except I do know how you feel, and hope eventually the memories you expressed in this blog and many more of Elmo warm your heart as you remember this precious cat in the future ....KathyB.

Katy said...

Aw, I am so sorry! I know how difficult that is! I hope your daughter takes the news OK!

Thank you so much for the lovely comment you left on my blog! I really appreciate it! :)

Chris said...

Lots of hugs{{{{Kathleen}}}}!

Chris

Nancy M. said...

I am so sorry you lost Elmo! Cats can be wonderful friends.

Cora from Hidden Riches said...

I'm so sorry!!!!! It's so hard that we humans have to outlive our fur babies. I've been through this, shed so many tears and felt my heart ripped out so many times ===== so I definitely feel your pain today! Elmo had a good life with you, and her memories will go on in your heart, I'm sure! Wish I could give you a big hug right now!!!!

Cora

Anonymous said...

I know exactly how you feel...we lost our beloved cat, Boots to kidney failure about 6 weeks ago..he was my faithful companion and helped me in a dark part of my life when my mother was very ill...he was 9 years old...we all miss him very much...have his boxed ashes on our bookshelf with a photo...he was a gentleman cat, gentle and just seemed to know when you needed a friend...
Poor Elmo...he has at peace now and no more suffering....hang in there..

Jane Smith said...

Hugs by the truckload.

Gingerbreadshouse7 said...

It's so sad to lose a beloved pet! Too sad for those that say "it's only a cat" They haven't known the love and joy "a Cat" can give...I've lost two favorite pets in my later years and the heartache is too hard to bear. Since them,I'm afraid to become attached again....Ginny

Connie said...

My heart goes out to you, Kathleen. This has been a very difficult time for you lately. I'm so sorry to hear of Elmo. Two years ago, we went through the very same thing with our cat. She lived to be 18 years old so we were fortunate to have her with us for a long time. She also had a tumor growing in her jaw, and she was slowly starving because she couldn't eat. It was a difficult decision for us, but we also opted to take her to the vet to end her suffering. Elmo has peace now. Sending you a hug and a prayer and hoping they will soften your grief.

LindaSue said...

I'm so sorry - I understand completely the pain of farewell to our fur faced friends. They give us so much love and comfort. You did a lovely job telling the story of Elmo - saving that injured little kitty into a life of being well cared for and loved.

Pamela said...

Such a loving tribute to one special cat. You made a difficult and right decision. No need for more suffering.

Jen's Farmily said...

I'm so sorry to hear about Elmo. I've always been one to be attached to my pets, so I know what it's like to lose one that you've had so much history with.

Elmo sounds like she was one lucky cat to have gotten picked up on that day after getting thrown out of a car.

Eggs In My Pocket said...

Thank you all for your sweet comments, it really made me feel better about my decision. Blessings, Kathleen

Paula said...

Oh, I'm so sorry, Kathleen... what a beautiful creature she was.
And it's even more sad when they're "homebodies"... those animals that want to be near home and people.
((HUGS))

Kathy said...

So sorry to hear about the passing of Elmo.