Anna, what a lovely tribute for Sylvia. You did the right thing for her. She
is now happily romping in the green meadows chasing butterflies with all our
Angels
Sharyl
________________________________
From: Anna Waltman <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2012 6:05 PM
Subject: [Felvtalk] please add Sylvia to the CLS
Dear all,
I lost my sweet Sylvia cat this afternoon. Despite our best efforts with daily
subcutaneous fluids, appetite stimulants, Interferon, probiotics, vitamins,
steroids, and multiple antibiotics, she was still fading fast and appeared to
be in a significant amount of pain yesterday. So, with a heavy heart, I took
her to the vet one last time this afternoon for a consult. The vet looked over
her chart thoroughly, took a close look at her gums and listened to her breath,
and said that at this point we'd done all we could do; the anemia was causing
her to crash. We agreed, sadly, that it was time to let her go. This was
definitely the hardest choice I've ever made; I'm only 25 and Sylvia was my
first cat as an adult. We bonded immediately and it has been awful watching her
decline over the last month. I'd never been present when an animal has been
euthanized before, and I was extremely reluctant to see her go this way. I'd
hoped she might pass quietly at home,
but she just seemed so uncomfortable that letting her linger struck me as
cruel and selfish. I think I made the right choice. She went peacefully,
wrapped in a clean blanket in my arms, with no pain. While we waited for the
vet, she sat in my lap and purred just like she did as a kitten at her first
vet visit. It broke my heart to let her go, even though I know it was the
kindest thing I could do.
Sylvia was the best cat I've ever had: smart, sweet, devoted, impeccably
well-mannered, pleasantly chatty, cuddly. Up until last month, she was fat,
sassy, and apart from gingivitis, quite healthy, so I am confident she had a
good life. I will miss her terribly. I already do. I'm glad I have my lively
little clownish siamese mix, Beatrice (who, as far as I know, is FeLV negative
and healthy as a horse) to keep me company. It'll just be the two of us for a
little while, so we have time to mourn the loss of a truly great friend, old
soul, and gentle spirit.
I am so, so sad...but also thankful for four years with a wonderful cat. Some
animals make you a better person. I think Sylvia has done that for me, and I
will always remember her.
Thanks to all of you who have given me advice and support over the last few
years. I'm grateful to have had a group of more experienced cat owners to turn
to with questions and concerns; you all have been a great source of comfort and
information. Best of luck to you and yours in fighting this awful disease.
Sadly,
Anna (and Beatrice)
--
Anna Elisabeth Waltman
PhD Candidate // Contemporary American Poetics
Department of English and American Literature
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
_______________________________________________
Felvtalk mailing list
[email protected]
http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
_______________________________________________
Felvtalk mailing list
[email protected]
http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
