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Conference misery::feline

Title:	Meower Power - Where Differing Opinions are Respected
Notice:	purrrrr...
Moderator:	JULIET::CORDES_JA

Created:	Wed Nov 13 1991
Last Modified:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	1079
Total number of notes:	28858

649.0. "Belated RIP, Moon Woolner" by MCIS5::WOOLNER (Your dinner is in the supermarket) Wed Nov 10 1993 12:44

    It's difficult to have to write this, but I know Moon had friends in 
    this conference who would want to know.  September 7, like December 7, 
    for me is a day which will live in infamy... I had to take Moon to be 
    "put down".
    
    I talked about Moon in note 16.99 and .134, but briefly she was 17 
    years old and had been sporting a bone-cancer "antler", on her 
    forehead, for two years, with very little deleterious effect.  Her 
    right eye eventually was surrounded, and she lost weight very 
    gradually, but she was spry and "coherent".
    
    Then, over the Labor Day weekend, she went downhill very fast.  
    Incontinence, total loss of appetite.  She'd take a few laps of water 
    and then pause, to gather strength, before taking another few laps.
    
    I called the vet on that Sunday and made an appointment for Tuesday 
    evening.  Moon didn't seem to be in *pain*, just exhaustion, and I 
    (selfishly) wanted that last time with her.  I knitted her a shroud--I 
    know it must sound weird, but I wanted her body to be wrapped in 
    something from me, and she never had a favorite shawl or blanket that 
    was hers.  She always loved to "help" me knit, and she stayed close to 
    me as I worked on it, til I finished it Monday morning.  By then she 
    just wanted to stay in the kitchen (near the water), so I put her 
    shroud down on the linoleum, folded so it was cushy, and she seemed to 
    love it.  She definitely knew it was hers, and I could have kicked 
    myself for not having made it (and called it her blanket) years before.
    
    Monday night I slept next to her on the kitchen floor; I just couldn't 
    leave her there alone, and I couldn't take her in on my bed, because by 
    then it seemed difficult for her to move around - even getting off the 
    bed to the water dish would have been hard.  I *had* to work Tuesday, 
    so the appointment was for that evening.  Daughter Alex and I were with 
    Moon, holding her and encouraging her, as her spirit left that 
    well-worn body.
    
      Later, at the funeral, Alex sang an original song for Moon:
      
         Love to see your smiling face
         Looking up at me
         Don't go away from me
         Cause I sure do love you
         Never to see you cry
         Or walk away from me.
         Cause I sure do love you
    
    Sniff.  But at least now Moon is meeting all the other wonderful 
    Feliner furfaces who've gone to the happy mousing ground...
    
    Leslie

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
649.1		ALLVAX::ONEILL		`Wed Nov 10 1993 12:52`	13
	Leslie, I know that this was the most difficult time for you.... Moon was very much loved and that he loved you and the family. My thoughts are with you and your family... Mike
649.2		JULIET::RUSSELLPE_ST		`Wed Nov 10 1993 13:02`	9
	Leslie, I'm sitting here crying, knowing that I am going to have to make that very difficult decision some time soon. Sounds like Moon had a long and very happy life with you. My deepest condolences to you and your family. Steffi
649.3	My Sympathy	REFDV1::ESULLIVAN		`Wed Nov 10 1993 14:36`	13
	Leslie, I had my wonderful, Mai-Ling, for 21 years before she died. I have always refered to her as my 'first born'. It broke my heart when she died. I do have another beautiful Siamese, Angie, and I hope that she lives as long as Mai-Ling. I look at Angie and can't imagine my life without her. I still remember and miss Mai-Ling. They are both special to me and always will be. Each feline is an individual personality and we mourn their passing. My sympathy. Eleanor
649.4	I'm so very sorry.....	STUDIO::COLAIANNI	I have PMS and a handgun ;-)	`Wed Nov 10 1993 14:53`	13
	Leslie, Now that I have recovered enough to actually see the keyboard again, I want to extend my sympathies to you. It must have been a really hard decision, but I'm sure she appreciated the fact that you made it for her. Moon is being added to the Silver Lining Memorial... Love, Yonee (who is really happy you have two small furfaces to fill the void a bit.)
649.5		ELWOOD::FEASE	Andrea Midtmoen Fease	`Thu Nov 11 1993 08:03`	9
	Lesli, My deepest condolences to you as well. Looks like we will be facing that "decision" in the near future, and I'm not looking forward to it at all. That was such a beautiful poem ... - Andrea
649.6		BUSY::KVILLANI		`Thu Nov 11 1993 08:51`	29
	Leslie, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I am sure Moon was "extremely" grateful for what you did for her, all her life, but especially in the days before. I have been reading so many notes lately on the loss of our "loved ones" and every time I read where our babies have been put to sleep, I cannot help but recall the last paragraph from "A DOGS PRAYER" as spoken by a dog. It reads: And, beloved master, should the great Master see fit to deprive me of my health or sight, do not turn me away f from you. Rather hold me gnetly in your arms as skilled hands grant me the merciful boon of eternal rest - and I will leave you knowing with the last breath I drew, my fate was ever safest in your hands. I know it is a sad poem, but it is also comforting to try to understand that Moon was appreciative of you unselfishness, and your great deal of love. If anyone would like me to write the whole poem in another note, I will. Although it is "A DOGS PRAYER" it also can be "A CATS PRAYER" Let me know if anyone is interested. God Bless, Karen
649.7		MAGEE::MERRITT	Kitty City	`Thu Nov 11 1993 09:01`	15
	Just wanted to send my sincere condolences to you and your family. I remember last year at this time discussing Moon with you ...because I had just found Sasquatch (Sass) who also had an inoperable cancerous tumor. I remember hearing your stories of Moon which gave me strength and encouragement to deal with Sass. So...Moon will always be in my memory anytime I think of my Sass who passed away a year ago on November 5th. Moon had a wonderful, fulfilled loving home for 17 years. He's one lucky kitty....and your a very lucky person to be the person who cared for him. Sandy
649.8		MCIS5::WOOLNER	Your dinner is in the supermarket	`Thu Nov 11 1993 12:38`	8
	Thank you everybody, on- and off-line, for the helpful words. And I'm honored, Yonee, that Moon will be in the Silver Lining Memorial - thank you! Sandy, I remember our notes about Sass too... now maybe they're sharing catnip mice together ]:3 ! Leslie
649.9	You have my smypathy	TIMBER::AIKEY		`Thu Nov 11 1993 12:42`	15
	Leslie, I am so sorry to hear about Moon. You have my smpathy. I cryed so hard reading your note. I would like you to know that I know that Moon knew that she was very well loved. Now she is up in Kitty heaven with everyone else in no more pain.. The pain never goes completely away but it does ease up a bit... Bless you and your family *joyce
649.10	My sincere sympathy	EMASS::SKALTSIS	Deb	`Thu Nov 11 1993 16:06`	7
	I'm so sorry. I lost my Pip this summer to cancer, but I am so grateful that I had five good months with her from diagnosis to her passing. Rest assured that she wasn't in pain and she knew how you felt about her. condolences, Deb
649.11	.... in your heart....	WECARE::FALLON		`Fri Nov 12 1993 10:10`	8
	Leslie, I too am sorry for you at the passing of Moon. We all must go through this some day, I just want it to be "some day" and never think about it. You may remember a prayer in here also "Where to Bury a Cat". Originally written for a dog. It makes me cry to think about it. It is also one of the best... Sincerely, Karen
649.12		BUSY::KVILLANI		`Fri Nov 12 1993 13:30`	6
	-.1 Karen, Do you remember where that poem is in this file, or around what months it may have been written. I would like to read that. Thanks, Karen