Friday, September 12, 2014

Sad News






Her Royal Highness "The Queen"
AKA HRH
September 13, 1998 - September 11, 2014


It's with a very heavy and sad heart that I write this post.  Victoria (HRH) took a turn for the worse last night and today.  I took her to the vet this afternoon after school.  There was nothing they could do for her.  I had to have her put to sleep.  I couldn't watch her suffer.  She'd begun gasping for breath, and when they did a blood test today, they knew she was severely anemic.  Oxygen just couldn't get to her tired and worn out body.  She was already in enough pain from the arthritis.  The vet said it could be one of two things, either her kidneys were failing or there was a disease in her bone marrow.  Either way, there just wasn't a treatment for her.  He said I had a choice.  I could take her home tonight, and she may pass away with a great deal of pain in the next twelve hours, or she could live through the night in pain and I could bring her back in the morning, and he'd spend all day running tests.  He said they'd have to let her rest between each test because they'd already almost lost her when they drew blood.

I couldn't let her suffer.  I asked if I could have some time with her, and they let me.  I petted her and stroked her head, talking softly to her and reassuring her that the pain wouldn't last much longer.  We cried together, and then I called the vet back in.  They gave her a sedative, and she did not react well to it, then they gave her the other medicine and she went to sleep.  Victoria passed from this world to the next at 5:35 pm, Thursday, September 11, 2014.  She would have been 16 in just a few days.  

I will always miss Victoria, just as I will always miss my beloved Calico who died in 2003 at the age of 18.  Whereas Calico was always sweet and even-tempered, Victoria could be ornery.  But Victoria loved me and I loved her.  We'd been almost constant companions for 16 years.  We've been with each other and comforted each other through some difficult times.  She will now never suffer again.

I love her, and I will miss her terribly.  Good-bye, Vic.

19 comments:

Giac said...

Hello Joe,
I am so sorry for your lose. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Big hug,
Giac

Anonymous said...

Joe: I am so sorry for your loss. Pets just kinda seem to work their little way into our hearts. You are in my thoughts!!

<< HUGS >>

Alan
Chattanooga, TN

Susan said...

Oh Joe, I am so sorry for your loss of Victoria. I do know what you are feeling right now. I lost my beloved black persian after 21 years. HRH had a wonderful home with you and always knew she was loved. You need time now to mourn. Please take care. ((Hugs))

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry for your loss

Amanda said...

Oh my Joe I'm so sorry for your loss. You loved her and treated her better than anyone could. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. ((big, tight hugs))

Michael Dodd said...

I am so sad for you. I did not mention it yesterday, but when I had HRH in mind during my meditation yesterday morning, I sensed great tenderness and that the end was near. Bless you for loving her sweetly to the end and making her passing as gentle as you could.

Ipmilat said...

Sorry to hear this. My cat William died in 2008 aged 17 and I miss him still.

Michael O'Sullivan said...

Commiserations. She had a good lifespan though and must have had a great life with you. My two dear cats lived to be 17 and 18 - by then you know when its time for them to go, as they no longer have that quality of life.

RFX said...

I've been following your posts about HRH and had been hoping for the best. My deepest condolences for the lost of your dear, dear friend and companion. While I've never had a cat for a friend (due to allergies) I feel for you because I know well the unique love that can exist between human and animal. I admire you Joe for showing great love to HRH throughout the years - even to the end. May you always have cherished memories for there will be none like her. Sending comfort and peace your way, my friend.

naturgesetz said...

My condolences on your loss.

You know you did the right thing, but it still hurts to lose her. May the hurt ease as you remember all the good.

Bob said...

Sorry for your loss.
Losing a pet is just so hard, but know that she loved you unconditionally,

Richard said...

Joe,

I am terribly sorry for your loss of Victoria, but you did what was best for her. Now she will be free of pain forever.

Over the years I have had to let four dogs go to their final rest, and it never gets any easier.

Right now I have two English Springer Spaniels who are approaching 12 years of age. I know that they will probably have only 2 or 3 more years left before disease or old age takes them, yet I love the fact that we have been together for all of this time. When the moment comes that they tell me that the time has come, I will make certain that they never suffer, just as you did for HRH. It's the ultimate gift we can give to our beloved furry friends.

Richard

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry. They give us so much and ask so little. She was as lucky to have you and you her.

It took me three times before I good open you post and I still can't bring myself to read it.

Anonymous said...

Oh dear, Joe. I'm so sorry. I know that pain, my last one went away in 2011. I will pray for both of you.

Peace <3
Jay

Anonymous said...

They are only ours for a short time. Each time I welcome a new member to my family it's bittersweet because I know that I'm likely to lose them..eventually. I'm in my late 50's now and now for the first time I have to consider that the next pet just may outlive me. Very scary and requires some thought and planning.

Know Joe that you gave HRH the best life a cat could have. She lived surrounded by love and comfort and security. And when her time here was nearing the end, you stayed by her side and comforted her on her last journey.

Having worked in healthcare my whole life, I know just how often this isn't true for a lot of people. You gave her a better life and sadly death than a lot of humans get.

Whenever I lose one of mine, that thought always brings me comfort. Not only did I love and care for them all the days of their lives, but when life was to be no more, I did anything and everything in my power to keep them comfortable. A much loved pet, never walks that walk alone, unlike the rest of us.

Godspeed HRH

Mike said...

Sending hugs your way!!!

Anonymous said...

I feel for you. Sincere sympathies.

GKS said...

JUST read this post Joe. Cannot begin to describe how sorry I am for your loss. The empty spot in your heart must be immense. I will say extra prayers for you. I truly feel that HRH Vicoria will once again greet you ,, perhaps at that famous Rainbow Bridge.
Please KNOW that so MANY people care about you and love you. You are not alone. gk

djc314 said...

Sorry to hear about HRH. Pets are in a way our savior from a difficult world...