His Name Was Tom...., our local stray Options

[DJ - Edgar and J...]

Well, my friends, I finally caught the local black stray who was coming around for the last two years. I had been feeding him on and off for the last month and he was letting me pet him. He was blind in one eye but would talk to me and sit with me. I tried to keep my contact with him minimal in case of fleas and ringworm but I would pet his head and talk to him. And every time he would stay for 20 minutes - then leave and come back a few days later.

Today I managed to get him into a carrier and take him to the vet's. We were going to clean him up and then keep him. Give Oscar, our orange tabby, a big brother. But no.

He was FIV positive - and Oscar is not. He was also riddled with ring worm, fleas, and so old he had few teeth left (that was why he would not eat any of the hard food I had left out for him - only the tuna).

So I discussed it with the vet and we decided to put him to sleep - it was the most humane option. It hurt more than it should. It hurt a lot. He was so passive and calm at the vet's. He was obviously a kind, gentle being who trusted me completely. And I killed him. I signed the form saying he was mine and I had to leave the room while she sent him to the Bridge.

Please light a candle for him tonight. He was a tough little cat who learned to live on the street. He never lost his ability to trust - and, I think, to love. He trusted me. And I took his life. But I truly had no choice. Leaving him to die on the street - with the cars, dogs and other dangers - would have been irresponsible and cruel. Humans betrayed him enough in his short life - I couldn't let us abandon him again.

I curse the people who abandoned him. I hope they burn. I have no pity for them, no thoughts of forgiveness. They deserve an eternity of wandering the darkness looking for kindness and unfulfilled love.

His name was Tom Gilroy-Aubert. He may not have been my friend or furbaby for long IN life. But he is still my friend. Jesse and Edgar - please teach him how to fly. Keep him playing happily until I can join you. I promise you, Tom, an eternity of love, cuddles, head scratches and tuna if you wait for me. I love you buddy.