Eloo Passed Today, 1/22/2009 Options

[EloosParents]

My buddy boo Eloo has gone...

We had an appointment to see the vet today to reevaluate Eloo's eye (see post Welch Household Tragedy). There was a different vet that saw him than the last two times he was in. At first they drew blood (had to do this through his jugular vein for some reason, so it was awful and both of us cried) and when the doctor came in she immediately found a tumor and remarked its size since she had seen him last (she was in the room and saw him just briefly and no one could see this before, but she also did not examine him like she did today). Never did we think we would be coming home with an empty cage today. We thought it was to run blood tests to see if an infection was causing the eye problem since they could not find anything before.

Rather than dig his eye out, put him through pure hell and make him suffer, we sat alone in the room with him for awhile trying to figure out what we were going to do and decided it was best to have him put down. We cuddled him and loved him and he was purring so it was very hard to say goodbye. The vet gave him some meds beforehand so that he was relaxed. He was not anxious and was laying letting us rub his belly (and cry all over him purring). When she gave him the meds, he was totally relaxed and we had time to spend with him and talk to him. Both of us bawling our eyes out, but trying to keep cool at the same time so he was cool too. When the doc came back in, we held our breath and to be honest, it happened so fast I did not believe her when she checked his heart and said Eloo had gone to heaven.

Both of us are sick to our stomachs with grief. We know we did the right thing, but that does not make it any easier saying goodbye to our buddy. Everyone has special bonds with their animals and we all know about the special things that they do that make them who they are. I am going to try to post a memorial in that section when I feel up to it. I will try to attach a pic for now of my baby boy.



Tonight, it is kleenex and memories...

Missing you Eloo Buddy!

Ang & Marvin Welch

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[LoveThem]

Thank you so much for the update. I am glad to hear the vet contacted you with what was found.

We don't know why our babies have to get these diseases but all we can do is the best we can with the knowledge we know at the time and hope it helps. And giving them peace when there is no alternative is something we always hope we will be able to do. We never want them to suffer.
We don't want to lose them but we don't want them to be in pain that we can't stop.

It is very soon and it is a time of overwhelming pain and grief. Take it one day at a time and remember the many good days Eloo had with you....that is a gift we cherish..and the memory that helps us heal over time.

As far as the personal items, I just put them away because to me it is a reminder. Then when I did go out and adopt a rescue cat, he is using the same dishes, which are little heartbreaking reminders of who used them before but he looks so much little the one I lost, I sometimes can see him at a dish or lying by a window and smile at how much he looks like my Little Guy. I know he has his own personality but I had to get one who looked similar to what I had. I have always over the years kept all my babies stuff, whether it is dog dishes or cat dishes, leashes and collars, toys. I keep it all. And pictures....after some time I can look at them and smile.

It is not easy. I know what you mean about it being your husband's first loss but you had others before. The same with me. That's why my husband really didn't want me to get another cause he didn't want to go through it again. But I was so miserable he said okay. We know there is a future sad time but hopefully, we have many days and years before we face it again.
And we know these babies are worth having despite future sadness. We would not trade having them in our lives to avoid the grief in the future when it is their time to go.

I wish you peace and healing. Remember it takes time. But come here anytime. You are never alone here as we all know your pain. We all share the same pain and have felt the different intensities of it.

Hugs,
Judy