THE FINAL DECISION - YOU HAVE CHOICES
I had a wonderful friend by the name of Fluffy. My son was 6 years old
when I got her and he was 28 when she passed on. That makes it easy
for me to keep in perspective just how long I had her with me. The time
came just after her 22ND birthday and I knew the inevitable was here.
I went to my vet the day before, signed the necessary papers and paid
so that I could make a speedy exit after I gave Fluffy to the vet. The
day came and as I waited for the vet to come and take her from me, I
realized I just couldn't hand her over. I don't know what possessed me
but I asked him if I could hold her while he gave her the needle. I
hadn't even thought of that before.
He was wonderful and said yes. With Fluffy in my arms he gently put the
needle in her paw. Within a second or two, at the most, she was gone.
She was purring and there was not even the slightest flinch.
She just went to sleep, beautifully.
Until this day I thank God I had the presence of mind to ask my vet to
let me hold her at the end. I would never have forgiven myself if I had
left her, afraid and alone. This way she was with her best friend and
she knew she was loved. It was the last unselfish gift I could give her and
I live with peace of mind that could only have come by witnessing her
departure and knowing she didn't suffer.
Now this may not be for everyone but it certainly was the best decision
for both Fluffy and I. I realized later that people may not even know
they can ask to be present for the final journey. It is not something we
think about until you have to make that decision.
Stick with me folks.
A short time after a neighbor knocked on my door and said he had
something for me. You guessed it - a tiny baby kitten popped its head
out of a basket. At first I thought - no way. I wasn't going to go
through the anguish of losing another one down the line and I also felt
disloyal to Fluffy. Well that lasted about 3 seconds. This tiny thing
needed so much care and attention (3 weeks old and abandoned in the
lobby of my apartment lobby) that it took my focus off of my heartache
and helped me through the grieving period. That little tiny baby, Bijou,
is now 8 years old and weighs about 18 pounds. She is still my baby
though.
The incredible thing about this whole story is that I truly believe
Bijou has Fluffy's soul. She has exactly the same disposition and
personality. She even sleeps in precisely the same spot and in the same
position on my bed every night like Fluffy did.
I know that Fluffy is still with me.
Lynn Perrier
