My Story Options

[SteveD]

This is my story about my best friend. She was put to sleep on April 26th 2005...

It is a long one and I understand if you do not wish to read it all, it is just that sites like this suggest writing about your feelings.

I feel I do not have any other place to turn to at the moment. I need to tell people how much my little cat meant to me. Sadly my friends do not understand.

I have always been an animal lover but was more into dogs. Like many people I assumed cats looked after themselves. My girlfriend at the time wanted a cat and picked her out at a pet shop. She decided to call her Bubbles.

We brought Bubbles back to New Zealand from Australia and after my girlfriend and I split up, I was happy to look after her as we had developed a special bond. Through all of my failed relationships Bubbles has always been there for me to talk to. She was always ready to give me her opinion... and have the last word!

I went to London for a couple of years and left Bubbles with my mother. I was extremely stressed when I left, as she was 12 and a half years old and I knew she was entering into her older years.

She developed cancer in her leg while I was away. Again it was a very upsetting time for me as she had to have her leg amputated or be euthanased (I hate that word). I left it up to the vet as to whether they could save her, which they did...minus the leg.

I had a trip around Europe planned before returning to NZ. However due to my mother also having a trip to Australia planned at the same time, I decided to cut short my Europe trip and return to NZ to look after my recovering dear little friend. Only my ex-girlfriend and myself could hold her certain ways, as she was a nervous cat.
My mother needed her holiday after the trauma of Bubbles’ operation.

I was heartbroken when I saw her again, as I did not realise that her leg had been removed completely including the shoulder area. Her fur had still not grown back at that stage as well. However, it was also one of the happiest days of my life when she recognised me straight away and started purring.

My ex-girlfriend (the one who originally wanted Bubbles) has occasionally looked after her over the years when I have been away. We have remained friends all these years. However, just when I really needed her support, she told me she thought I was cruel for having Bubbles’ leg removed and should of had her euthanased. This was a shock. Bubbles had developed a certain amount of arthritis at this stage as she was 14 and a half years old, but could still get around okay. I have a lot of stairs and she went up and down without too much trouble.

Bubbles lived for another 3 years and 9 months. It has been a roller coaster period for me but I do not regret it as I have received more pleasure from my little girl in these last years than many of the previous years. It certainly proves you get out of something what you put in. I put in everything I had. I would cut short social outings or not go because I did not want to leave Bubbles alone for long. I have worked part time for the past 3 years for that same reason. Relationships have run second.

At the end Bubbles had been blind for at least six months and her hearing was starting to fail. Her arthritis was getting worse but she still went up and down those stairs. She eventually suc%%bed to kidney failure.

A few enduring images I have of her happened about nine months ago. She used to stare at me for 5-10 minutes or more. She had never really done that before. She did this over a period of a month and I couldn't figure it out. I like to believe that because she knew she was going blind, she was staring at me so that she would remember what I looked like.

I am free to return to London now, which it what I have wanted. However I would forsake that without hesitation if I could have my little Bubbles back. I cannot believe how painful this time is. I miss her so much.

For all those readers that have got this far, I thank you for your time and patience. I believe this has helped me to air some of my thoughts and feelings. My thoughts also go out to you all, as I know you too have been through this pain.

May we meet our little friends again sometime in the future.

[Norah'sMom]

Dear Steve,

I am so sorry for the loss of your sweet Bubbles. She sounds like such a special cat. I know how hard it is to lose a friend like that -they are so loving and wonderful to us -sometimes in ways it seems that other humans are incapable of. It is good that you (and your mother) took such good care of her and gave her 3 more love-filled years that she wouldn't have had if you and your mom and the vets had given up on her. She survived because she needed to spend her last years with you who she loved and adored so much.

I am confident that we will all be reunited with them one day. Until then it is best just to honor their memories in any way we can, and you have done that for Bubbles by posting here. I wish you peace as you go through this difficult journey of grief. We are here for you.

Jenny