My beautiful 15.5 year old Siamese cat crossed the Rainbow Bridge last night after a long battle with kidney disease. The vet had suggested euthanasia 4 months ago, but I didn't feel it was time yet--and with the subcutaneous fluids I gave him, he had four more good months with me and his cat pals. However, he took a turn for worse over the weekend, and after hours at the vet office last night, when I talked with the vet and saw his creatinine levels, I decided it was time to allow the vet to assist him in his journey to the next world. His eyes were sad and he was tired and no longer able to manage a purr when I held him.
I adopted Chablis after drinking too much Chablis (white wine) over 15 years ago. I got the idea that another kitten would be great (what's one more cat?) and responded to a circular ad. A woman brought him to my house and I paid her fifteen dollars. When I awoke the next morning,I tried to return him to her, but she wouldn't answer my calls. What a wonderful, lucky mistake for both me and Chablis. He almost died within the week because, as it turned out, he was severely infested with tape worms, anemic, and very sickly. The first vet I took him to said he was too tiny to give a de-wormer to, and a day later he almost died. I took him to a differnt vet, who gave him medicine and fluids, and he survived, but was under-sized for many months. His next brush with death occurred a month later when I moved into a house I'd just bought. My first morning there, my refrigerator popped and smoked and I ordered a new one. While the appliance delivery man was carting out the old fridge, he noticed an animal curled up inside the back of it. "Hey, do you know you have a ferret in your refrigerator?" he asked. So Chablis escaped being hauled off into the appliance graveyard.
Over time, Chablis became a big, beautiful Siamese, and assumed the role of adoptive parent to every other cat I took into my home over the years. He welcomed each stray and feral, socialized them, loved them, and never expressed jealousy or territorialism. He was especially close to Leo, who grew up with him since kittenhood. The two of them have been inseparable the past few years while my younger, more rambunctious cats have raced around the house. Chablis was patient, loving, good-natured, and loved it when I picked him up and danced around with him.
Last night when his battle with kidney disease became too heavy a burden for him to bear, the vet assisted him in crossing over while I held him and sang to him. He is now buried in the woods behind my yard next to his close cat friend, Angel, who passed away November 2010. He is now reunited with Angel, Domino, and Simba.
Leo knew days ago that Chablis was getting ready to pass, and clung to his side, standing vigil over him nearly continuously. Leo and I are heartbroken, but comforting each other. I hope that soon I will be able to sense Chablis' presence, perhaps after my grief clears a little.
I'm thankful for the animals God brings to us, because they reflect part of his nature and love, and we become part of that.
Thank you God for Chablis.
Leo standing vigil over Chablis, near the end.
Beautiful eyes, beautiful soul.
I adopted Chablis after drinking too much Chablis (white wine) over 15 years ago. I got the idea that another kitten would be great (what's one more cat?) and responded to a circular ad. A woman brought him to my house and I paid her fifteen dollars. When I awoke the next morning,I tried to return him to her, but she wouldn't answer my calls. What a wonderful, lucky mistake for both me and Chablis. He almost died within the week because, as it turned out, he was severely infested with tape worms, anemic, and very sickly. The first vet I took him to said he was too tiny to give a de-wormer to, and a day later he almost died. I took him to a differnt vet, who gave him medicine and fluids, and he survived, but was under-sized for many months. His next brush with death occurred a month later when I moved into a house I'd just bought. My first morning there, my refrigerator popped and smoked and I ordered a new one. While the appliance delivery man was carting out the old fridge, he noticed an animal curled up inside the back of it. "Hey, do you know you have a ferret in your refrigerator?" he asked. So Chablis escaped being hauled off into the appliance graveyard.
Over time, Chablis became a big, beautiful Siamese, and assumed the role of adoptive parent to every other cat I took into my home over the years. He welcomed each stray and feral, socialized them, loved them, and never expressed jealousy or territorialism. He was especially close to Leo, who grew up with him since kittenhood. The two of them have been inseparable the past few years while my younger, more rambunctious cats have raced around the house. Chablis was patient, loving, good-natured, and loved it when I picked him up and danced around with him.
Last night when his battle with kidney disease became too heavy a burden for him to bear, the vet assisted him in crossing over while I held him and sang to him. He is now buried in the woods behind my yard next to his close cat friend, Angel, who passed away November 2010. He is now reunited with Angel, Domino, and Simba.
Leo knew days ago that Chablis was getting ready to pass, and clung to his side, standing vigil over him nearly continuously. Leo and I are heartbroken, but comforting each other. I hope that soon I will be able to sense Chablis' presence, perhaps after my grief clears a little.
I'm thankful for the animals God brings to us, because they reflect part of his nature and love, and we become part of that.
Thank you God for Chablis.
Leo standing vigil over Chablis, near the end.
Beautiful eyes, beautiful soul.
