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Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Deathwatch Update
Saff still as lively as Dick Cheney--and to think I blew off helping my dad move some stuff and going to volleyball. Anyway, thanks for the positive vibes, folks. Gotta hit the sack.
ntodd
[Update, Thursday AM: She had a bit of, erm...a bowel issue all over the basement during the night, but she's still hanging in.]
November 9, 2005 | Permalink
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Comments
Sorry pal. Losing a pet sucks. When I was living out there with you, before Stef moved in, Saffron was often my only company for days when you were on the road--during a rather rough point in my life. Give her a pat for me if you would.
Posted by: Bill Simmon | Nov 10, 2005 4:50:55 AM
Will do. I wonder if you ever got her cat hair out of the inside of your guitar case, given how much she liked to curl up in it...
Posted by: NTodd | Nov 10, 2005 8:40:53 AM
A thought that helped me with Reilly O'Sullivan's deathwatch (a superstar polydactyl orange friend) was that he knew what he was doing. What was happening wasn't the outrage to him that it was to me. And my good vet told me that Reilly would let me know when (or if) he wanted help leaving. My vet was right. One afternoon, after a bit of indignity, Reilly turned to me and as clear as a bell communicated, "Get me out of here!"
I won't say it wasn't painful for me, Todd. I wailed for several days. That was helped when Reilly woke me up early one morning to my amazement. "Reilly!" I said. "You're OK!!!"
"I'm OK," Reilly said. "Are you OK?"
"I'm OK if you're OK."
"Well, I'm OK."
"Well, OK then."
"OK." And we laughed.
Months later I had a dream of Reilly with rainbow-colored angel wings. They went wonderfully well with orange fur.
Saff will have her own style of communication. And it may be very subtle. I guess what I'm saying is: Be open to--and alert for--miracles and wonders. The purity of this bond we make with our animals defies everything "known."
And cook up some insanely spicy chili or curry after your watch is over.
Posted by: Carol in the City | Nov 10, 2005 9:20:03 AM
I often dream of Sam. He's happy, healthy, and while he doesn't speak to me, I can hear that contented sigh he would make when he was settled on the bed for the night or lying out like a little black speedbump next to my desk as I wrote. I know he's well in spirit wherever he is -- in my mind, mostly -- and seeing his picture every time I open my blog or glance up from my desk tells me that he's still a part of me. Saff will always be with you, and now us too.
Posted by: Mustang Bobby | Nov 10, 2005 12:34:39 PM
Last year, my beloved 19-year-old tortoiseshell tabby Hurry (short for Lt. Uhura, of course) started fading away quickly, and I wasn't sure how I'd know, and I just wanted her to not be hurting. My beautiful kitty waited for a quiet Sunday morning -- she meowed at me, I picked her up, and she snuggled into my arms and went to sleep and just gradually stopped breathing while I held her. I missed her horribly (still do), but it was the first time I've ever experienced death as grace.
I know it's a hard time for you, NTodd, but hopefully it's right for Saff.
Take care,
-robin
Posted by: Robin | Nov 10, 2005 3:25:33 PM
Amen.
Posted by: yer ma | Nov 10, 2005 7:50:51 PM
Buy me stuff off my 
