It’s a sad end of a sad week. Ms. Harry, also known as Harriet, has been going downhill fast. We’re pretty close to the end. She is barely eating anything at all. I’m lucky to get her to lick baby food off my finger. One finger, maybe two. Then she turns her head away. I’ve kept her going on NutriCal, a high calorie supplement, which she has been willing to lick.
She’s uncomfortable, but doesn’t seem to be in pain. She communicates her discomfort by trying to knock things over, pawing whatever is nearby. A newspaper. A wine bottle. A book. A head of garlic on the counter. A coffee cup. A plate. A small bowl of food placed where she’s sitting to tempt her into a taste. It’s very frustrating for us, since we constantly have to react by racing across the room to rescue whatever has gotten her attention. I want to shout at her, “No! Stop that!” But I don’t, because shortly I’ll be wishing that she were still here to act up and bother us.
Ms. Harry seems to spend too much time sitting up and staring into the distance, but she can still curl up and fall into a peaceful sleep. We’re thankful for that.
She knows. We know. It’s very sad, but we are trying to chant through the many great moments of her long 15 years of life. She’s survived the other three kittens in her litter by several years. Now it’s time. We have an appointment mid-day on Saturday with Ann Sakamoto, our main vet at VCA in Kaneohe, a final consultation, perhaps. Miracles happen, but not often. And I don’t think this is one of those times.
Meanwhile, I pressed my iPhone into duty for this week’s Feline Friday. All of today’s photos were taken with the phone. It’s a different point of view.
–> See all of today’s Friday Feline fotos.
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My thoughts will be of your great love for Ms. Harry. You’ve done a wonderful job! Peace.
We had to say goodbye to our cat Snuggles last year. It was a sad situation but we remember the good times with her, from the day we brought her home from the Humane Society and all the time in between. Peace be with you and your entire ohana.
Your love for Ms. Harry and all your kitties shines through in your images and prose. Pets really do know who loves them, so hopefully reflecting on that idea will give you some comfort.
We said the long goodbye to our much-loved girl a few months ago. I filled a couple of NaNo chapters with recollections of her rascally decade-plus with us while she snoozed on my lap. That, plus long evenings of lap time, and doing what my favorite vet tech calls “loving her up” provided some solace for the next chapter.
Pets give unconditional love to their human companions. Too bad the same can’t always be said the other way around. The dognapping caper from a couple of days ago. The girl who tried to sell a Jack Terrier on Craigslist not even an hour after adopting her from the Humane Society. All the unlicensed breeders and puppy mills.
And then there’s folks like Ian, restoring my faith in humankind.
Allen N., well said.
My heart is heavy for you both.
I’ve taught many of the veterinarians in town, while they were pre-vets, and if I were choose one to help me through this difficult decision, it would be Ann Sakamoto.