My Heart Bleeds Options

[E.M]

My Denis past away on the 21st December 2006, he was (still is) a beautiful 14 year old black cat and had chronic kidney failure. With the aid of tablets we managed to keep his condition under control for a year until two weeks ago when his levels shot through the roof and he was off his food. The vets took him in to be put on a drip for 3 days where I was allowed to visit him. He picked up a little whilst I was there and I told them he was unhappy with the drip in his arm so they said they would keep him in one more day then I could take him home for the weekend to see if he picked up when he was back in his own home, if not then we would have to think of the inevitable.

There was little change Friday night, and throughout Saturday and was still didn't eat. The only think that seemed to comfort him was an inordinate amount of cuddles which I gave him.
On Sunday there was a complete turnabout and he wolfed down 3 bowls of food and was up and about walking, albeit a bit wobbly. On Monday he went back to the vets and I told them of the positive day previous we had had and they let me take him home again and said if he goes downhill again then there would be little we could do for him. Denis again had given up eating and all he wanted was to be held and kissed and cuddled, which he reciprocated back with such passion and force it was heart wrenching, I had never known him to be like this.

Denis was now very weak and falling over a lot so I had to make the decision for the vet to come round to the house so we could do 'it' together with him in my arms in the chair that we had spent so many hours together sharing so much.

It's the worst thing I have ever ever had to do in my life. The guilt is insurmountable.

I told him that, that night we would turn on the Xmas lights, find the brightest star in the sky and make a wish for him. We carried him outside with us wrapped up in his box and made a wish. I said I would light a candle for him everynight until the New Year.

Tonight even though I will be alone I will try not to be upset. I've gone through every emotion possible from guilt to anger to sadness and back again but tonight I will try to be happy for him. I miss him more than words can explain and its a horrible place to be in right now.

I like to think that I was his earth mother whilst he was here and needed me and now he has left and made that big journey on his own. With every end there is always a beginning.

There is no comfort at a time like this, only, I know I am not going through this alone.

Love you always Denis, I miss you so much it is unbearable. Peace be with you my man, there will never ever be another Denis, eternally yours. ************xx

[E.M]

Moose mom, Furry's mum, Alleys mama and Sheps mama,

Thank you to you all for your lovely words about my Denis, thet go along way, I can tell you.

Denis does look happy and proud in that photo, so young and full of life. That photo was taken at the first house we had ever bought so there are a lot of fond memories there.

When I think of that house and Denis, I alway think of him 'bringing home the bacon' which brings a smile to my face.

One day Denis had obviously jumped over the garden wall to one of the houses at the bottom of the garden and reappeared at the back door with two slices of fresh, uncooked bacon in his mouth, totally clean with not a speck of dirt on them. I can only imagine that some had had their kitchen door open and Denis had gone in and saw two slices of bacon on the work top and decided to steal them! Perhaps they had only left the kitchen for a couple of seconds but that was long enough for him to snatch and grab them. I could imagine the look of puzzlement on someones face when they returned to find their bacon for breakfast had totally disappeared. The look on Denis's face, with these two big slices of bacon hanging from his mouth, he was really proud of his catch!