This isn’t a oh it’s a lovely fall day kind of post. I guess if you need that you should go and visit another blog for today. Everything will be back to normal tomorrow, but for now it’s time.
This is a “it’s time” kind of day for my 89 year old neighbour, and her 17 year old cat, Columbus.
How does she come to the conclusion that it’s time, when a companion cat that has lived with various members of her family, and is older then most of her grandchildren, gets old. Suddenly forgets where the litter box is, and what it’s for, although she aches as she cleans up the mess. She knows little by little it’s time.
And although she tells me that she is not ready, we both know that the cat is now ready. It’s his time.
And it doesn’t feel like it should be time. He was eating well, happy, deaf, and loud, with a routine so established that he knew before she did when morning comes. It came every morning at 5 am. And then so quickly, he isn’t himself.
How does she look at what was once a playful kitten, and now see a elderly frail skinny cat. One that played with her grandchildren, and crossed the country to live with her a few years ago, and now it’s time.
How does she look at the cat, and not see her own mortality. Even though it doesn’t bother her to look it in the eye, and say, yes, one day.
But now, for the cat, it is time.
Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams
thats a hard row to hoe for sure,, bitter sweet, tell her she's in my thoughts,, you too!
ReplyDeleteBless them both, saying a little prayer of peace :))
ReplyDeleteAw, this is so sad. Sorry to hear. It would be so hard.
ReplyDeleteOh dear...
ReplyDeleteJen, My heart goes out to your neighbor and her dear sweet cat. I'm sure his passing will be painful, and I'm glad she has people to help her through the coming days and weeks.
ReplyDeleteMy sweet dog's time came too early - she died suddenly in June - and my heart aches every day from the hole that is left. Blessings on your neighbor as she says that hard good-bye.
ReplyDeleteLovely lament, I too have "lost" pets, and have a tear in my eye as I read this post.
ReplyDeleteWith our 18 year old cat we too wondered daily if it was time and then one morning it was so evident that this was his last day. I did what I needed to do because I owed him that.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your friend. She will be heartbroken.
We went thorough the samething and it is so sad ,we still miss our sweet cat.
ReplyDeleteWill you give your neighbour a virtual hug from us? We've been there, done that too.
ReplyDeleteOh that is so sad. I hope that dear elderly neighbour has peace about this. Your photos are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteOh...oh...oh....I'm bawling now. Touches too, too, close to home. It was my kitty's time after 22 years - I fear I was denying it. Bless your sweet neighbor lady for knowing and accepting it was Columbus's time. I pray she finds comfort and peace in his memories....Hugs ~ Robin
ReplyDeleteAwww, that's rough. I know how hard it is after growing up with cats and losing another one during my adult life. I will be so sad when it's time for the two I have now. Sorry for your friend.
ReplyDeleteWistful, beautiful, and sad. What a heartfelt post.
ReplyDeleteYour words ring true for me... particularly as we face a similar circumstance. Over the summer, we've faced it twice with garden kitties that belonged to a neighbor unwilling to admit "it's time". Now we face it with one of our own... Tom Tom. The vet assures us it "the time", but I know it looms all the all-too-near horizon.
ReplyDeleteCindy at Rosehaven Cottage
So sad, she will miss her kitty for a very long time:(
ReplyDelete