Half Here And Half Gone, strange occurances Options

[samhaincat]

I have had the oddest things happen this past weekend. On Friday night, my 18 year old silver persian girl Nymph almost passed. She started breathing really heavily and then panting and making strange groaning noises. I gave her rescue remedy and arseni%% album while I wondered since it was after hours if I should start looking for an emergency vet. I had hoped she would pass naturally (she is hyperthyroid and has kidney failure as well as a heart murmer) but I don't want her to suffer. She started to calm down, her breathing went back to normal and she lay down and went to sleep. I thought she would die that night but she was wide awake and hungry the next morning. Things started to get strange, she has always been an indoor cat, and unlike my other cats in the past had no desire to go outside, in fact on the few occasions I put her on a leash she was terrified and wanted nothing more than to go in again. Yesterday she clawed the screen door after I had gone outside and insisted on coming out. I put the leash on her and she in a very calm relaxed manner explored the back yard. Then she lay beside me, then in my lap and then bolted from my lap and ....chased a butterfly! I couldn't believe it...it was beautiful to see, a lovely memory. Later when we went back in, I cooked salmon and Nymph has never ever wanted salmon or any other human foods. I sat on the floor as I was reading a newspaper I had spread out across the floor and she came and ate part of my salmon. It was as if partly she was still my Nymph and another part of her was almost as if she were another cat. It was so strange.
Has anyone else ever experienced this prior to a pet passing?
It was almost like a second kittenhood. I know it likely won't be much longer as she is paper thin but it is so sweet seeing her with these little spurts of unpredictable fun.

Attached image(s)

 

[jillybromley]

It sounds as if your sweet girl Nymph, is savouring life to the full in every way she possibly can .... even doing things that she has never done before.

I think cats know when their time is nearly upon them. I believe Nymph knows too and she is using every last minute to experience the world and lap up all the memories and experiences.

She is also giving you some wonderful memories of her final days. It would be so nice it you could take some pictures of her doing the new unusual things. That will always be a happy memory for you that your beautiful girl had a wonderful and happy life right up to the last. Maybe she is deliberately doing this .... how wonderful to leave her mom with the image of her being out in the yard chasing butterflies.

It is as if her spirit is becoming lighter in readiness for it's journey, maybe that is why she seems to be acting a little differently.

I know how hard things have been for you over the last month, but I think what you have written here is a real gift from your sweet Nymph to you. Wonderful happenings to remember when she finally falls asleep and makes her journey to be with your dear Spicey and beloved Zody.

I think you are so so brave. It makes me cry to think that you are losing 2 kitties in the space of just a few weeks. I am so so sorry.

Please know that I am thinking of you
with love
jilly

[Kathleen032]

I've thought of you and Nymph many times the last couple of days and have wondered how you're both doing.

I don't think I can add anything to the beautiful words Jilly has written, but I just wanted to let you know you and Nymph are in my thoughts.

Hugs to you both.
Kathleen

[Cathi]

Hi, What a beautiful memory for you--chasing butterflies and playing in the grass!

Even tho my Tico was very thin and weak also (he could still walk), the night before he was put to sleep, we had the family come over and say goodbye. One of the kids rolled a ball toward him and he started to chase it. I was stunned- I thought he was as sad as I was.
(funny how we project our feelings on to them sometimes)
Well he fell on his butt because he just wasn't his amazing coordinated self anymore. But I was stunned that he made the effort.

I don't know, but I think that these animals are so pure, and so able to stay in the moment, that they just are nauturally joyful. I wish people other than pet owners would stop and think what they have to teach us. I think those of us here on this forum have a huge appreciation for their gifts. They are gifts.

I wish you both the best, and peace.