In my last post, I mentioned that Shelby, our oldest cat, was feeling mighty poorly. The decline of her health had been steady over the past few years, but in the last week, took a very sudden turn for the worse. Last night in particular, I knew the end was near.
I’ve also been urging Bryan to take her to the vet, but we have been busy. And I realized last night, as I watched him tear up as she struggled to breathe, it was just too much for him.
As much as I tease about Bryan having an ovary of his own and being just this side of gay, in truth he is the most sensitive man I’ve ever known, especially when it comes to animals. He will come to the rescue of any stray without question, and won’t rest until they have a happy home. And the concept of him having to choose to end the life of an animal, even for the right reasons, was too much for him.
I curled up beside him this morning and woke him by stroking his hair. “Honey,” I whispered when his eye lids opened, “Shelby’s in a lot of pain. She can’t keep water down. It’s time to take her in.” He lay there, staring. We were silent for a long time. I nuzzled his neck, kissed him softly, and got up to tend to the baby.
He came out and saw Shelby in the middle of the kitchen, curled up and wheezing. And he sat down beside me and called the vet. He made the appointment and I dozed beside him. We heard Shelby give one of her signature Siamese shouts and slip out of the dog door. We assumed she was going to go curl up in the sun, where the warmth helps her joints.
Shelby disappeared. We still have not seen or heard her. Bryan is heartbroken.
Of course, we both know what happened. Bryan still jumps when an animal or a breeze stirs the dog door, and he is still listening for her to yowl. I am not so optimistic. But I firmly believe she’s in a better place, wherever that place is. And she was such an amazing and loving cat that she didn’t want Bryan to bear the burden of making the decision to end her life.
It’s been a long week.
I’m so sorry.
I hurt for you guys. It’s always hard to make that decision and Shelby just made it for you. We had to put our cat, Jinx down this summer and he was my baby and I just couldn’t do it. Ray took him in and was with him in the end. It always seems that these things happen when there is a lot going on in the house. I agree with you-Shelby’s in a better place and not in pain.
I’m so sorry. That makes me really sad, but you’re right. She won’t be in pain. She always seemed so wild and proud to me that her disapearance seems almost poetic.
I hate that. I’m so sorry.
Journey well, Shelby.
So sorry, guys.
I’m so sorry. Hugs for you all. And good thoughts for Shelby.
[...] how to say this.. but we’ve got a very bad smell coming from under our house. Are you guys.. missing.. a cat?”Anyway, so Bryan went about retiling some of our kitchen and I got Binja ready to go visit [...]