My family and I put our sweet Mischief to sleep today. She's been with us since I was 10 years old (I'll be 30 next month) and my sister was 4--she doesn't remember the household before Mischief was in it. Mischief was born with a heart murmur, which made medical treatment difficult in her geriatric years. Her teeth and thyroid condition had finally gotten to the point that she could no longer eat without pain. She wanted to stay with us, but she would have slowly starved to death. The vet was very kind and let us hold her in our laps while she administered the injection. It was so quick--she just slumped down like a puppet. It was only then that I realized how stiff and painful her movements had been in her last years, how badly arthritic she was, and how tense she had been as a result--even when sleeping. As I stroked her and felt her little heart slow down and stop beating, her body felt as lithe and supple as that of the kitten she was 20 years ago. I hope, and think, that she felt a little relief in that last moment, that her body stopped hurting and she felt peaceful and relieved as she went.
I took her body to the place we'd decided on and dropped her off. On my way back home, I drove through a little sun shower--a light rain out of a beautiful, clear blue sky. I'd like to think that Mischief had something to do with that. Wherever she is, I want her to know that I loved her ever since my dad brought her home, a tiny kitten that fit in the palm of his hand, and I will always love and remember her. My family and I miss her very much already.
I took her body to the place we'd decided on and dropped her off. On my way back home, I drove through a little sun shower--a light rain out of a beautiful, clear blue sky. I'd like to think that Mischief had something to do with that. Wherever she is, I want her to know that I loved her ever since my dad brought her home, a tiny kitten that fit in the palm of his hand, and I will always love and remember her. My family and I miss her very much already.
