This post is an unplanned and impromptu one. I just found out a dear friend of mine cat has cancer and it brought me back to the day I got a return call from my vet telling me “We believe Dusty’s lump is (thyroid) cancer”. I’m not a sap and so not the over emotional type but that phone call brought me to tears. Despite trying to be a stonewall soldier the emotions poured out of me. It was not something I could control. In an instant my world shifted and I was faced with the reality that my perfect little fur ball and family of three would more than likely be turn into a family of two.
It was in that instant that my faith was tested and I had to make a choice to focus on fighting and cherishing every last minute she has left on this Earth or dwell on the negative outcome. I owed it to Dusty’s life and our relationship built over the past 13.5 years to cherish her being here NOW, right now. Not later, right now.
What I found helpful (and later down the road therapeutic and very useful) was to document, photograph and record many little moments while my cat was still active and feeling pretty good. I also tried researching alternative treatment options to give her quality of life and also fight her cancer. The natural remedies and products I found online did actually help my cat’s energy level and provided quality of life for a couple of months however the cancer ended up being far too aggressive. I have no regrets in that regard though because I could see in her eyes she was going to fight the best she could and not give up. I know if it were me, I’d prefer holistic options over chemicals and chemo and poor quality of life.
After three months of fighting the good fight we had to end Dusty’s suffering. (In retrospect, she really had a quality of life through all 2 ¾ months up until the last week before passing.) It was heart wrenching but I tell you this. I would repeat it and do it all over again to share those moments with her again. While dealing with the aftermath after she passed it really helped in my healing to reminisce and see photos and video of her when she was upbeat, happy and purring. It bought me comfort and also helped honor her memory as she’d want me to instead of dwelling on her last moments.
My final thoughts I hope you come away with is 1) Cherish every moment NOW. Be present in the moments you share with your pet. 2) Document and capture these times. It will help you honor your pet and your precious love and memories now and in the future.
This post is dedicated to a special cat named “T Bone”. Fight the good fight! You are loved!
