Sweet Sable, released her today Options

[Mink&WillowsMom]

Many of you have been following Sable's saga. (In Lost & Missing, "Do Finders Have to be Keepers?") This morning I took her to the vet's to let her go. Such a sweet girl. Three years ago I found her on the freeway, near death, stranded in the grassy median. Brought her home, and after a week of thinking it over, she decided to live. Fattened up to 10 pounds, though remained with weak kidneys, and arthritis in her shoulder. She purred me to sleep, and purred me awake, always sleeping right next to my head. After about a year, she seemed to 'wake up' a bit, and get off the bed to sit in the livingroom, or go lie in the sun on the back porch.

Over this winter, she was back to sleeping about 23 hours a day. I'd been noticing a decline, but of course it's always gradual. Last week I suddenly saw that she was really winding down, getting ready to go. I realized she'd stopped eating. Still, she purred. She and I talked about euthanasia, and I asked her to tell me when she was ready. Last night I got home from work, and through the evening every so often she'd let out a meow/howl of pain. She was able to get to sleep again around midnight, so I was able to get sleep last night, then first thing this morning took her to the vet.

I'm almost finished digging her grave. I'm grateful the sun is shining, since it's still below freezing. That's my biggest concern, she hated being cold. I know she's out of her body now, but still. She's wrapped in a fleece blanket, and has a little cardboard coffin box too.

It took a long time for us to bond, but we did. My love for her was quiet and full of compassion. I loved her morning serenades, purring me awake. For pics, and to read more of her story, click here: Sable's Story Part I and Sable's story part II.

[Mink&WillowsMom]

Rereading her story, I'm reminded the first part of her tale is on another thread, found at Lost or Missing "Found a Kitty". This part tells the tale of how I found her, and has more nice pictures.

Luna sat quietly nearby as I buried Sable; I was immensely grateful for her support.
Rohan is in my lap, seeking and offering comfort.
Willow, who has been sleeping on the bed with Sable, spent this afternoon sleeping atop the kitty tower, which he hasn't done in months. I wonder, did he share the bed with Sable to keep company with her?

I am also grateful that today was sunny and clear -- grave digging in the rain would have been even more challenging.