The first sign weeks ago that he was struggling was when he tried to get up on the futon, and he'd slip, unable to get his claws into the cushion. When he came toward us we knew to help him up, and once on our laps he'd settle right in as always.
During his last few days, especially, he was able to walk to his dishes, but then he'd just lay down in front of them, too tired or weak to stand and eat.
On his last day here with us I came home for lunch and knew he just wasn't doing well, and I sat with him on my lap until I had to return to work. Looking back now I wish I'd stayed home with him for the rest of the day. Had I known that would be his last day with us I would have held onto him as long as I could so we could reminisce about our long life together.
11 comments:
We understand completely, but you know that he did too. Hugs from all of us.
This brings back memories of my mom and my old bro Eddie (who'd been with my mom for almost 17 years). She went through all the same things you and your wife did. Toward the end, when all the food options had been exhausted and turned down, in desperation she tried something Eddie'd always loved, mayonnaise. It was the only thing he'd eat. (Well, "eat" might be an exaggeration.) Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that you both did everything right. Sometimes it may not seem like it, but we know it is.
I understand. Totally. I do. We all have that sense of regret, but in your heart and you know in Orbit's the love was full and complete. For a very long time I always looked back on Abby's last few hours and wished I had not tried to feed or medicate her as it was stressful to her and to me as well. It would have been better to have let her just rest as it was all unnecessary. But hindsight is the ability to look at life backwards not forward, and you do the best you can with what you know at that moment. Be gentle with yourself, I know how hard it is. Keeeping you in my prayers.
guys..I went thru this with sauce; there was not a food on the market that was not in my house and put into a dish with hopes he would eat...every cat food imaginable, even some human and baby food. every day I left for work I was paranoid; about what was happening with him...every night I came home I was happy to see him, but it was a short lived joy in discovering the days were just getting worse. and honest to God, I would not have wished on the pet... that belonged to my worst enemy.... what sauce went thru. I understand where you're at, where you've been.... I can promise it will get better. I hope orbit has met up with dude and sauce...grayson...we can only imagine the...mischief..they are getting into ♥♥♥
Hugs and purrs to Orbit's dad and mom! What the other's have said is exactly what I wanted to say. Be gentle with yourselves.
My husband and I understand completely what you went through trying to help Orbit eat and drink. For about 10 weeks out of 15 weeks, my husband or I feed our boy Jackie every bite that he ate. It gave him a chance - just like you gave Orbit one. That was a gift of love and all you or we could do.
But at the end, the time comes when it's over even sooner than we think it will be. Somehow it is always unexpected. Then we naturally have regrets of what we can see clearly in hindsight but had no vision for at the time - though we all look so hard trying to see what else might be done. You gave Orbit everything you could and made your choices as best you could out of love. You did well.
He would have know your great love for him and at the end, those last few days out of many, many years of shared life and love, it is the whole experience he shared with you that matters. Again, you did well. Be gentle with yourselves and each other. Orbit would want you to and so would all of us who share your grief now.
Love,
Lily
The mom totally understands what you went through. It's not easy seeing your furbaby become so frail...knowing that his time is coming...you want to do everything you can and hope it's the right thing.
We hope the good memories that you have of Orbit helps get you through these bad times, and that the memories will turn tears to smiles.
Purrs to you. My human remembers how difficult the last few weeks were with Sparkle. She had to be force fed, with my human putting small spoonfuls of food on the roof of her mouth. Otherwise she would not have eaten at all. Sparkle dealt with it okay until the last week, then she began fighting back and spitting the food out. My human thinks that was the signal she was done and wanted to go.
A lot of your fellow bloggers,including me, have been where you are.
Have no regrets. You enjoyed his company for many,many years when he was healthy and happy.Remember and cherish all the good times, not the last days of his like.Those days do not define him.The previous 20 years do :)
You did good by him! Be kind to yourselves.
You took such good care of Orbit during his final weeks and days. I'm sure he knew how much you loved him and felt safe going through his end of life process with you by his side.
We always wish we had them with us longer!
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