Saturday, June 22, 2013

Gifts and goodbyes.


I got the most amazing surprises in the mail yesterday that I just had to share. I'm extra grateful and touched by them too because they came just when I was feeling my worst. :(


 I feel my photos don't do these justice but these fabulous little crocheted goodies are from Annie. They are just so pretty and precious and the finishing is oh-so-impeccable. The pin cushion will keep me from using the side of the couch where I stitch as a, uhh, 'temporary' holder of various needles. A very good thing. :)


I got ANOTHER surprise package on the same day - this one from Maggee. I mentioned that I had always wanted to stitch this pattern - I love dandelions even if they ARE  'just a weed' - on her post with the finished piece. She then graciously mailed the pattern off to me - along with two threads - on the sly.  Thank you both so much!!! It's the one bright spot in an otherwise terrible week, as we had to say goodbye to Mooshie yesterday. :(

 (April. Typical sleeping position for him, the goof.)

He had a good last week. As solid as one could expect, I guess, given he had a chronic illness.



 (May. He always showed up on 'his' chair at the dining room table, without prompting, to sit with us every night for supper.)

He spent time with me on the deck when the weather was nice this week. And he woke me up early Wednesday by sitting on my shoulder and licking my ear lobe and cleaning my face. Kinda gross but still sweet. :)


Thursday night he even fetched one of his glitter pom-poms for me. He used to fetch 2-3 a night, every night, before he got ill. Every few days though he would still drop one at my feet and go after it after I threw it. By morning, per usual, he had rounded it up (and maybe another one) and put it in the food dish. The one from Thursday night is still right next to the food dish actually. :(


 (Just a couple weeks ago, enjoying Deck Time.)

Yesterday I woke up early to find his legs/head weren't really working - he was wobbling and falling over on his side every few seconds or having to stop and get his bearing to continue on. He hadn't caught on yet that his body had failed him - he was still going around the house, doing his normal thing, albeit having to pick himself up every few steps. He purred all day as I pet him and gobbled up a can of tuna fish in a way I haven't seen him eat in months. (After all that bland kidney diet food, I'm sure it tasted like the best meal ever.)

I'm sure we could have dropped him at the vet for a couple days, gotten him pumped up on IV fluids and all the toxins flushed out so he could have, maybe, have a week or two more but it seemed better to let him go while his spirits were still up and he was still happy, as heartbreaking as it is for us. Another day and he might have felt the weight of what a terrible condition he was in and I wouldn't have been able to bear it if his spirit was broken. He had a good day, as far he was concerned, up until the end. For us.............17 years is a long time. My heart is broken. :(


27 comments:

Vickie said...

Oh Melanie! My heart breaks with yours. As you know we are on the roller coaster with Mabel. When is the end for her? She is doing well right now. We take it day by day. Just like you two did for your beloved Mooshie. I am so sorry. I do know how hard it is. They are so precious and dear to our hearts. You two took such very good care of him and loved him til the end.♥

Cath said...

Oh bless you. I feel for your loss honey. You gave him the last kindness that you could , and I'm sure he would thank you for it if he could. I know that it's one of the hardest decisions to have to make , but you know when it's the right one . Thinking of you and sending hugs .XXX

Jackie's Stitches said...

I'm so very sorry Melanie. I'm glad that you had some good time with him this last week. I wish you had more. I'm so glad that you found each other 17 years ago. Sending you a hug!

Beth said...

Well I read your post and now I've got tears in my eyes. What a wonderful group of photos - Mooshie's personality shines through in each and everyone of them. You guys enjoyed a very long dun together. Still, if you did nit mourn his passing, you'd not honor him as is his due. So very sorry.

Annie said...

Glad I could send you a little something to make your day a bit better. Mooshie was such a sweetie. Love the way he tried to live a normal life no matter what. I think there might be a lesson to learn from that. Big hugs and take care.

Jan said...

I am so sorry for your loss. Having to make that decision is one of the hardest things to do. I know Mooshie is waiting over the Rainbow Bridge for you.

Marnie/Marz/PlayerVSHobbies said...

:(

These decisions are always the hardest to make. *hugs*

Karen said...

What a beautiful cat... so sorry for your loss.

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry! He certainly was a handsome guy (and I think maybe he KNEW it too. LOL)


Catherine said...

Sending big hugs....so sorry for your loss. He was a very handsome boy ~ the pic of him in the basket made me chuckle ~ what a personality.

twotone said...

I'm so sorry for your loss, and that you had to make such a tough decision. *big hugs*

Margaret said...

I'm so sorry about Mooshie. I can't even imagine how heart breaking it is for you. Sounds like he had a good last week. Such a sweetie. I'm sorry. :(

Jennifer said...

So very sorry Melanie . Mooshie was a beautiful cat full of personality . It does sound like he had a good last week so that must be some comfort for you but so heartbreaking . Thinking of you .

Pam in IL said...

Oh, I'm so sorry! Losing a beloved furbaby is so hard.

GENTLE HUGS

Maggee said...

I'm so sorry about Mooshie. It was a nice thing that you did for him, letting him enjoy life at the very end. He will always be in your heart! Big Hugs!

Kellie from Indiana said...

Oh so sorry to hear this. We just went through a scare with our dog. Its really tough and I am glad to hear your cat was not suffering much when you had to let it go. Lots of prayers...

Michele said...

I'm so sorry for your loss ... 17 years is wonderful life though! I know he'll be missed for a long time.

Big hugs hun

Carol said...

I'm so, so sorry to read about your sweet Mooshie, Melanie. Reading your account of his last days brought tears to my eyes... I well know how odd your home must seem right now without his presence. It's been over 5 years now and I still get teary eyed when I think of our old cat, Shadow... Sending a big hug your way.

So glad the thoughtful gifts from Annie and Maggee could help ease the pain a bit--stitching bloggers are the best!!

Anne said...

:( So sorry to hear about your Mooshie. He looked like he had a good last week, but it's never easy to let your furbaby go. My heart goes out to you ((HUGS))

Dani - tkdchick said...

Oh Melanie my heart goes out to you! Putting Cuddles down was one of the hardest things ever... especially as I wasn't expecting it. Huge cyber hugs coming your way!!!

Veronica said...

I'm so sorry for the loss of your Mooshie. He'll always be remembered and forever loved. {{{{{Hugs}}}}}

Julie said...

My dear Melanie, my heart is with you. I know this pain :-(. I hope soon the happy memories and the fun times will heal your heart and you can remember without the sadness.much love xxx

Terri said...

So sorry for your loss! Hugs and prayers!!!

Pumpkin said...

Oh Melanie! I'm SO sorry to hear about Mooshie :( It's so hard when we loose a member of the family like that. I'm thinking of you. ((((HUGS))))

valerie said...

Oh no, Melanie! I am so sorry to hear that Mooshie crossed over the Rainbow Bridge. He's happy there with lots of cans of tuna and sparkly toys. You gave him a great home. I am so sorry for your loss. *hugs*

Sylvia said...

Melanie, so sorry to read about your sweet cat. Its so hard to part from our pets. Big hugs to you.

Unknown said...

Melanie, So sorry to hear about Mooshie. My husband and I right now are coming to that crossroads with Patch who just turned 20 in the past couple of weeks. It's hard to say goodbye because you love them but at the same time that is why you have to say goodbye. Big hugs go out to you.