THE DAY DUSTY LEFT US

10/05/2001

I knew the time had come to let our Dusty go. I came home from
work the day after I brought Dusty back from the vet after being diagnosed
with having kidney disease. I wanted to make him as comfortable as I can so
I had to take the rest of my kitties out of the cat house into the kennel area.
After I made Dusty comfortable I had to get dinner started. Afterwards I went
back to spend time with Dusty. He was sitting inside his cat carrier. I was talking
to him and telling him how much I love him. He tried to get up but couldn't.
I went in the house to get my blanket so I can sleep next to Dusty a little. I fell asleep
for a few hours and when I woke up he was still in the carrier looking right at me.
I looked at him and he got up, meowed, and sat back down and went to sleep.
I kept an eye on him as he slept to make sure he was breathing before I went
back inside. I woke up the following morning and when I went to check on my Dusty
he was laying next to the litter box listless. I picked him up in my blanket and called
my sister to come over immediately. Of course I was flooded in tears just as I am right
now typing this. We drove to the vet which was about a 30 minute drive. I sat in the
back seat holding him and I knew he was slipping away. By the time we got to the
vet my Dusty was gone.

 

A Place in our Hearts

They will not go quietly;
the cats who've shared our lives,
In subtle ways they let us know
their spirit still survives.

Old habits still make us think
we hear a meow at the door.
Or step back when we drop
a tasty morsel on the floor.

Our feet still go around the place
the food bowl used to be,
And, sometimes, coming home at night,
we miss them terribly.

And although time may bring new friends
and a new food dish to fill,
That one place in our hearts
belongs to them.... and always will.

-Copyright © Linda Barnes