I am sad to say that I had to put my precious baby Lily down this week. I met the most extraordinary lady vet who comes to your house to euthanize your pet. She has it all planned to be as painless and sweet as possible. So Lily got a shot of anesthesia while she was having her tuna water (her favorite thing). She began to get drowsy, so I carried her upstairs to my bed where I pet her and talked to her until she fell asleep. Bob was with me and we had candlelight and she was peaceful. When she was completely asleep, the vet shaved her little arm and inserted an IV. She made it clear that I could spend as long as I wanted with her and then she'd give her the final shot. God, was it hard. As deaths go, we should all be so lucky to die with dignity and without pain. This lady provides an invaluable service. Lily would have hated having to go to the vet and I don't think I could have faced that.
Last Christmas she started forgetting to use her box, for the first time ever, under any circumstances. The last 13 months she became more and more forgetful and also was aging and having a harder time getting around. I had a plastic sheet on my bed, plastic on my rugs, litter boxes up and downstairs, etc. Anyway, it was time to give her her dignity back.
I love that little cat so much and she was so good for Mother, too. Lily lived with her for about 5 years when she was in the beginning stages of Alzheimer’s. Lily was such a Godsend for my mother. They adored each other. When we had to put my mom in assisted living, I took Lily back for the last 5 years. Now, she's back with Mom. It's comforting to know that my mom was there to greet her in the afterlife. Ironically, I have been re-organizing my office and purging files, etc. Mother's driver's license found itself on my desk the day before, which I took as a sign that Mother was letting me know she was going to be there to greet Lily. And the next day, I kept coming across things in Mother's handwriting, which I found reassuring.
Dr. Forslund, take good care. You truly provide an invaluable service and I want to personally thank you again for making Lily's passing as sweet and painless as possible. I will praise you and your services every chance I get! Bless you.
After 14 years, it's so lonely here without my little pal. She was an awesome cat, and I miss her so much. May my little angel with fur rest in peace.
With love,
Teri Elliott
Newport Beach
P.S. Here are some pictures of Lily in happier times. I like the one of her on my white sofa. She always liked the finer things in life. : )