A Very Difficult Post

     It is with a heavy heart that I write today's post, folks.  This is a very sad place today, and even I feel the emptiness.  Grayson's breathing continued to be very labored, and he just would not eat or drink anything, unless mom or dad tried feeding him with the syringe, which stressed him out terribly.
     Mom called my doctor yesterday, and they left with the little guy in his carrier, hoping to figure out what was bothering him.
     When they came home a while later, their eyes were red, and the carrier was empty.  Apparently, they brought Grayson into an exam room where a Vet Tech. took some basic information, and then brought him out back to take his temperature and check him over.
     He became very stressed during all this, and though they tried to calm him by placing him in a small cage to chill, they said he went into respiratory and cardiac arrest, and died.  Just like that.  So small.  He didn't even have a chance.  
     When the doctor came out to talk to mom and dad they expected some sort of explanation about his condition, and what would be done for him.  They did not expect to hear that he'd just died.  Mom broke down and headed out the door.  Dad wanted to comfort her, but also wanted to know details.  
     This could've been something that Grayson had since birth, and it was only a matter of time.  
     He was likely the runt of the litter, and, because of where and how dad originally found him was possibly neglected and ignored by a mother who knew something wasn't right.
     Whether mom and dad brought him in a day earlier or a day later doesn't make any difference.  They said it was probably only a matter of time, and the fact that he'd been such a ball of energy for the couple of weeks mom and dad cared for him didn't mean anything.
     Now I feel bad about all the times I hissed and growled at him.  I know he just wanted to play, only wanted a friend.  I guess I could've been nicer to him.  
     When they came home dad picked up Grayson's little toys, and the dishes they'd been feeding him from.  He washed the syringe and bowls out that they'd been using.  His tiny litter box is still on the bathroom floor.  Dad will remove it later today, I'm sure.  
     Mom was up most of last night, and dad got up around three this morning and had her come to bed.  She's sleeping right now, and I hope she's not having any bad dreams.
     Mom, mostly, did everything she could, giving Grayson a chance to feel loved and cared for.  The way he'd follow her around, play with her, and sit with her says it all.  Don't be sad, mom.  He knows you loved him and wanted to take care of him.
     When they came home without him they went in and laid down on their bed, and I almost immediately jumped up and curled up with them.  I knew something wasn't right.  We have a way of knowing, don't we?  I just knew.
     I'm sorry you had such a short life, little buddy.  Know that mom and dad loved you, and you even started to grow on me.  Honest.  Please say hi to Isaac for me and dad, okay?

                                   Rest in peace, Grayson
                         July ?, 2012  -  September 2, 2012
                                           We love you