WCB: Good-Bye My Friends

(We are hosting Weekend Cat Blogging this weekend. If you would like to take part, just leave your permalink in the comments section of this post or email me at upsiefan (AT) yahoo (DOT) com.  We would appreciate it if you mention our blog in your post. The Roundup should be ready on Monday.)

Last November, we agreed to take in two feral kittens and make them people oriented, so they could be adopted.  When it was obvious no one was waiting in the wings to take them, I gave them names and told my husband we had two more members in our household. Not long after that, the girl, Dexter,  died from FIP.  We held our breath, waiting to see if the male, Sundance, (or Upsie) would come down with it.  But, we seemed to have dodged a bullet, and Sundance grew and grew.  We felt safe.  Two months ago, I noticed that he wasn't his normal lively self, but he was still affectionate and seemed healthy.  Then, two weeks ago he suddenly crashed.  He avoided us,  hiding and cringing when he saw us coming near him. He stopped eating and drinking water.  It was obvious that he was in a great deal of pain.  I knew in my heart that he had FIP, because he was acting exactly the same way Dexter behaved just before she died. 

And I was right. He did have FIP.  His condition became so bad, I knew it was cruel to keep force feeding him food and water.  In the past I've had difficulty facing the loss of my pets, so I kept them alive at all costs--trying to spare myself the pain of their death.   But, I've come to see how cruel that can be.  So, on Friday the home vet came to the house and helped Sundance pass over to the other side, where he can play with Dexter again and not be in pain.   

He was in horrible pain, but when the vet gave him the first shot, to calm him, the drug took away his pain and for five minutes he purred and purred, as I petted him and told him how much happiness he brought into our house.  He was himself again, and he licked my hand once.  And then the vet gave him the other shot and he took his last breath and was gone. 

I took a lot of pictures of Sundance, but could only use a few of them. He was always so active, running instead of walking, jumping and playing his heart out.  Most of his pictures were a big blur, unlike Upsie, who poses like she's Angelina Jolie. 

I will miss him every morning because he greeted me with huge affection when I woke up. He always ran just ahead of my feet, almost tripping me. And he had the funniest way of running, stretching each of his hind legs straight back as he ran, like he was doing yoga.  I told him to register that method of moving with the Monty Python Ministry Of Silly Walks.

He was such a sweet cat, my mother-in-law, (who is not fond of cats), loved him. We were astonished to see her petting him when she visited us, the only cat she has ever touched, I'm sure.  And why not? He was never grumpy or moody. He always seemed delighted when he saw us and brought great happiness and laughter to our lives.  And that is why it was worth having him with us, even for such a brief time.

A Prayer for Animals

Hear our humble prayer, O God, for our friends the animals,
especially for animals who are suffering;
for animals that are overworked, underfed and cruelly treated;
for all wistful creatures in captivity that beat their wings against bars;
for any that are hunted or lost or deserted or frightened or hungry;
for all that must be put to death.
We entreat for them all Thy mercy and pity,
and for those who deal with them we ask a heart of compassion
and gentle hands and kindly words.
Make us, ourselves, to be true friends to animals,
and so to share the blessings of the merciful.

(Possibly written by the great Albert Schweitzer)

Comments

[astrid]

Goodbye sweet Sundance,
we hope you had a good journey and are happy now without any pain. You've been such a joy to your family and us too seeing the lovely pics of you and reading about your adventures.
all our love and hugs to your family,
Astrid, Kashim & Othello

[Jenn]

Sher, this is a wonderful tribute to little Sundance. I'm so sorry for your family's loss. Sundance and Upsie are my favourite cats on the internet. I'm really so glad that he had a safe and happy, albeit short, life. He was such a good cat. Take care of yourselves over there.

[Dragonheart]

I am so sorry to hear that Sundance went to the Rainbow Bridge. :( You have my deepest condolecnes. At least he is no longer in pain and is happily playing with his sister at the Bridge.

My entry for Weekend Cat Blogging can be found here: http://dragonheartsdomain.blogspot.com/2007/08/feathers-are-fun.html

[HRH Yao-Lin]

Goodnight sweet prince. Your humans were so lucky to have you xxx *sniff* me and my human are sobbing now xx

[Bunty]

AS YOU SAID, HE LET ME PET HIM A FEW TIMES.

HIS COAT AND EYES WERE SO PRETTY, I WILL

MISS HIM WHEN I COME TO CA.

DON'T BE SAD, YOU WERE SO KIND TO HIM.

[Megan & Bad Kitty Cats]

Oh Sher, Our hearts are just in pieces and tears are flowing. I was so praying for good news earlier when I read about Sundance being sick. But I understand. I am so glad you were with him when he left this earth, that's comfort in the pain. He was such a beautiful baby and you are an angel for keeping him and Dexter.

Rest in Sweet Peace Sundance, May your heart be free and your love everlasting.

I am so sorry ...

megan

[taboo & whaleshaman]

oh sher, please accept our deepest sympathy. there's not a dry eye in the house.

And here's our little tribute to your great funny cat:

http://jellypizza.blogspot.com/2007/08/remembering-sunshine-sundance.html

[Tanna]

Letting go is I guess the very hardest thing there is.
You are so right, we wanted so much to to keep our golden with us, we couldn't let money influence it. But it's so hard to get the heart to understand the mind of facts.
So sorry Sher. I've loved Sundance's adventures.
Hugs.

[jane]

I'm so sorry Sundance is gone, but you did a very brave thing and did right by him to save him suffering. To have the vet come to your house was the kindest way. Sundance may have had a short life, but with you, it was obvious that he was very happy and much loved. Take care xx

[lamiacucina]

I am so sorry that my guardian angel
came to late. Our hearts are with your family. This is my contribution: http://lamiacucina.wordpress.com/2007/08/11/weekend-cat-blogging-114/

[aria]

ohno! balling and blubbering at my computer, sher i'm so sorry about the sundance kid. he was such a special little guy I remember when he came to stay with you and loved reading all your wonderful posts about him. you gave him a loving home and a family and thats the greatest gift. (big hugs)

[Cats~Goats~Quotes]

I am so sorry to read this, but know you did right by Sundance.
A beautiful tribute to a beautiful boy.
He runs free now.

[sammawow]

Oh, Sher, I am trying to type this with tears flowing. I'm so glad sweet Sundance is not in pain anymore and love the idea that he is playing with Dexter. I was just checking for news about your Sundance Kid and will have to come back later with my WCB - not ready yet. That was a lovely tribute you did today.

[Pixel]

My mommy and I are so sorry for you loss. it was a tough decision but the right one

[kate]

Sweet Sundance, we will miss you deeply.

We all hope that the pain lessens and joy replaces the ache. Sher, Sundance knew you loved him very much and you gave him a happy and loving home. Thanks for making a difference in his life.

Here's our link, and we send our love and hugs

http://cooknkate.wordpress.com/2007/08/11/wcb-a-tribute-to-sundance/

[boo_licious]

My condolences to you and yr family. I know in my heart that Sundance is happily chasing everything in sight at kitty heaven. Thanks for sharing him with us and his lovely story as he also brightened up my life every weekend.

Here's our link for the weekend:

http://masak-masak.blogspot.com/2007/08/weekend-cat-blogging-wcb-114.html

[Sophia]

Rest now Sunshine.

[The Meezers]

Sundance you were a beautiful boy and you obviously had the hearts of your mom and dad and everyone you came in contact with. Be happy and free and play with your sister at the Bridge, and your family will come to be with you one day.

We will see you at the Bridge Sundance!!

[Smeagol, Strider & Gang]

We're so sorry. He gave and received a lot of love in his short time with you.

[Ann]

Oh! Talk about heartbreak.
I am happy though that sweet Sundance is not in any pain now. That is always comforting.
You are indeed a very special person Sher for taking these two precious kitties into your life. May God continue to bless you with a kind and gentle soul. You have given Sundance a wonderful Tribute.

You continue to be in our hearts, thoughts and prayers.

http://chatkatze.blogspot.com/2007/08/splash-cat-overboard.html

[Sophia]

Rest now Sunshine.

[Babeth]

Blessings on your grieving loving heart. You give him the best and that is all we can ask for.

[HotMBC]

Oh our eyes are leeking. Yoo did the kind thing to free Sundance of pain n sufferin tho, and he's runnin around stickin out his bak legs at the Bridge now. We sends yoo lots and lots of purrs.
Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrs
Purrrrrrrrrrrrs
Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrs
Purrrrrrrrrrrrs
Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrs
Sanjee, Boni Maroni, Mini, Gree, Pepi and Mom Robyn

[astrid]

Goodbye Darling Shunshine Sundance!
You lit up our lifes with your darling soul and you will never be fogotten by us always living in our thoughts and hearts!

puurrrrs to Sher, we know she is hartbreakingly suffering and wooried about darling Upse too.
Keeping you all in our purrayers!

[Shannon]

Colin, Trixie, Barrett, and I are all so sad, Sher. My heart aches for you and my thoughts are with you. Be well.

[Kalyn]

What a lovely tribute. I've never had a pet so I know I can't completely understand how you are feeling, but your feelings for Sundance speak very loudly in this post. I'll be thinking of you.

[astrid]

momma forgot to leave our linkie for WCB:
http://foodblog.paulchens.org/?p=1010

[CatSynth (Amar and Luna)]

We are so sorry to hear about Sundance, we loved getting to know him every weekend. :(..

This is a lovely tribute. We're devoting our WCB entry this weekend to Sundance as well:

http://www.ptank.com/catsynth/index.php?entry=entry070810-184236

Our thoughts are with you this weekend.

[Heather]

Sher, I know how hard this must be for you and I am so sorry for your loss.

Here's the link to my first, and possibly only, WCB post, due to it being,technically, a wildlife rehab blog: http://hollowhappenings.blogspot.com/2007/08/happy-birthday-riley.html

[Hendrix]

we're so very sorry for your loss. Sundance was certainly a special kitty. You did the bravest, hardest, most loving thing a human can do for their beloved animal. You helped him cross the Bridge. He took all your love with him and he'll remember you when you meet again.
Take care, we're thinking of you.