Feeling the Pain…
Posted by VeRonda Wicks July 8th, 2009I know this site is about professional athletes and the stories surrounding their lives, but I have a personal story that I want to share…
We had to put my long-haired Persian, Camry, down. For me, it was unexpected and happened so suddenly. I can’t believe the pain that I’m feeling. Camry was 13… Yeah, I know she was really old. But, I just thought she’d be around for much, much longer. This past weekend we’d just had a cookout and she seemed fine… She was hanging around all the guests and wanted to be part of the party. Then, for the next couple of days she was really lethargic and anti-social (more than normal). She didn’t want to be held and she wasn’t eating or drinking. When we got to the vet, they told us she was experiencing liver failure and that it had progressed so far that her other organs were beginning to fell. Her eyes were cloudy and she wasn’t responsive at all… She would, however, move her tail a bit when I called her name. Of course, seeing that just broke my heart.
What happened?… That’s all I could think. The doctor then said that we could spend the money on x-rays and blood work, but that she was so advanced that recovery wasn’t unlikely and that the only other alternative was to put her down. I immediately fell apart (This evening Hubby said I was at Level 10. He was trying to make me smile.). The thought that consenting to kill her was more than I could bear and leaving her in this place all alone just took me over. We were both glad that my mom was there with us… She encouraged me to let her go. She said that she was in pain and that it was cruel to allow her to go on the way she was. I knew in my head, but my heart just couldn’t conceive losing her. I asked Mother later why she didn’t cry… she said that she was, but she couldn’t let us see it because someone had to be strong for us. I’m thankful for her strength. Obviously, we went ahead with the procedure, but it took some time and lots of tears. Mother and Hubby were so strong for me throughout the entire process and I’m so thankful to them.
You know, it might seem weird that all of these feelings are being experienced over a cat, but I tell you, you never know until you go through it. She was part of the family and we loved her so much. She’s been there for many stages of my life and there are so many memories that have over taken me. Right now it’s really hard and I am just too exhausted to put much energy into other areas, but I know this will soon pass.
I just wanted to share…
July 9th, 2009 at 11:47 am
So sorry to hear that bad news about your cat but trust that you did the right thing in putting her down. I know it’s a tough decision but it was her time.
This is the third post I’ve read today about pets dying. I hope this isn’t a trend.
July 9th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
VeRonda, I am so so sorry to hear of your cat’s passing. I know all too well the loss of a beloved pet. Each one is as special as a person, each as wonderful, and as loved. I chose to put my dog down too when he had an infecton, it was not an easy decision.
My heart is deeply deeply with you.
xo
July 11th, 2009 at 10:52 pm
Thank you Aliceson and Jannie… I couldn’t ever imagine that losing her would hurt so much. It is beyond words… I really owe a great deal to my mother and husband b/c I would not have been able to make the decision on my own. I know its so selfish of me, but I’m telling you, it was the hardest thing I can remember I’ve had to do. Man…
August 7th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
I find your feelings very sincere and interesting. I’ve seen it before with a couple of friends of mine who lost dogs after having them for many years. When I first witnessed it, it really stunned me of how emotional the reactions were. With my initial instance I had to reach out and comfort my friend because she was so distraught over it. Gone were my thoughts of “what is wrong with her, it’s just a dog?!” and replaced with my genuine desire to support and comfort her. Like you her pet was with her through a lot of situations and even divorce. When disputes would occur between her and her ex-husband, her dog would quickly stand by her and defend her if the arguments got too intense.
Another friend the same thing when her dog was put down. She was distraught for a couple of days and even a colleague who had to put his dog down. He was constantly apologizing because he was crying at work so I bought him a card! Waaaaaaay out of character for the kid!
So I do understand even though I still posses my thoughts and views about the value of pets versus a human. My mind flashes back to the days when I was in college, (even though it was a hemp induced blur) and I worked as a bellman at a hotel. There was a pet funeral convention with all of the caskets and funeral brochures by pet funeral home owners. It was a trip and for the life of me I couldn’t understand it! I thought the people putting it on and those attending it was nuts! I could not grasp it, but then again, I wasn’t really trying! After partaking in some cannabis on my shift, and taking almost an hour just to get 2 drops of Visine in my eye, I really couldn’t grasp much of anything except for a napkin to get the Visine off of my face. But I digress, it was a trip then and it took me well over 25 years to understand what pet owners were going through when they lost a pet. So this diatribe is merely to say, I understand and sorry for your legitimate loss. Now let’s talk sports…
August 7th, 2009 at 5:05 pm
Hey Kid!! Thanks for the the props… And let me tell you, by no means am I equating animals with humans. Literally, I was upset enough to say I didn’t want to write about sports b/c the loss of my cat was on my mind. And I’m with you… Let’s talk sports!! See you ’round!
August 7th, 2009 at 11:14 pm
Is Kid stoned?! I know he doesn’t believe you are equating animals with humans. I think he was trying to convey a point. And that point is, don’t try to put Visine in your eye while blasted! I love this site! As a woman I can hopefully get some insight into sports while at the same time get a laugh. I can’t wait for your next article. Can I contribute a thought or am I restricted to just commenting? I’m not the most computer savvy so pardon my ignorance. Anyway, love the site!
August 7th, 2009 at 11:27 pm
Hey Nanticoke… Kid has become my new blogging friend, so we’ll see ’bout him. As to your question, yes please, I’d love your comments, suggestions, and thoughts. Don’t worry about being computer savvy. Just drop by and find yourself in these stories… See you soon!
August 7th, 2010 at 8:10 pm
Feeling the Pain?…!!!!!…
We had to put my long-haired Persian, Camry, down. For me, it was unexpected and happened so suddenly. I can?t believe the pain that I?m feeling. Camry was 13? Yeah, I know she was really old….