Wednesday, April 3, 2013

RIP, Bruno



My cat has been sick to the point of dying.  He has been sick before like this because he has kidney failure.  Two years ago, the vet treated him for this with lots of medicine, and fluids via IV,  and we had to give him medicine for most of that summer.  He hated that medicine, but it did buy him some time. It took a while, but he did get back on his feet again.  Slowly, he gained a little weight back.  He went from being a ten pound cat to about six pounds.

Bruno, our cat, is after all old.  He is around seventeen years of age.  He is the best cat we have ever had.  Believe me when I say we have had a lot of cats in the forty-one years we have been married.  He is not like an ordinary cat because he is not aloof.  He likes people, other cats, dogs, and just about any animal he meets.  He is Mr. Personality Plus.  He is vocal, in fact, we carry on some interesting conversations during the day. 

This curiously, interesting kitten came to us through a friend. Our friend worked with Hubs and bought a black lab puppy and this black kitten. He said he wanted to raise them together. Some how he decided he did not want the cat, so we took him. Thus our journey began.

He grew into a big and mighty cat named Bruno De Catrio. You know after the famous actor, Leonardo De Caprio. Of course it was a joke, but the name fit him perfectly. He feared nothing. He proved his prowess over and over.

He started out being Hubs' cat, but eventually he became my cat, since I'm the one that feeds him, loves him and brushes him. He is my constant companion.  He is at my computer in the morning when I drink my coffee.  He sits with me when I eat breakfast and he follows me outside in the yard.  He is a great companion.  He walks with me on my trail.  He is never far from my side.

He has not eaten anything since last Wednesday.  He has stopped drinking water until yesterday.  He did manage about five sips of water.  He has this vigil that he makes in the yard.  Down to the pond, then over to the storage building and then to the front of the house where he has been laying in the flower bed underneath the red tipped photina.  He has never done this before...ever.

I have never seen a cat with such a deep inner strength to keep on going.  It is like nothing I have ever witnessed before.  He is a stubborn, unrentless cat that is persistent to the end.  I like that about him. 

Two nights ago, in the early morning hours, I let him in the bedroom.  He came to me and walked circles around my head and then to my feet.  He walked three times around me.  Strange...isn't it?

I know animals don't have souls, but he does have a spirit.  Since God created the animals.  How could our beloved pets not be included in Heaven.  Surely, God loves them too.  I believe in the Rainbow Bridge.  I know I will see all of my former beloved pets there.  I even hope I get to work there in Heaven at the bridge. 

Back to my story...in the wee hours of the morning, I am praying to God that Bruno doesn't suffer.  He has been too good of a pet to have to suffer in death.  I have held it back, the urge to cry takes over me.  I'm trying to put on a brave front, but I loose it.  I feel silly... he is just a cat, but he is our cat and I love him so much. 

Mt tears subside and I continue my prayers.  I relent...not my will, God, but Your will be done.  I give up any control I may have thought I had.  It is up to God if he needs him.  Whatever happens, I know Bruno will be fine.  I'm not so sure about me.

What this is really about is how much I have walled off my heart to avoid being blind sided by death.  This February will mark twenty years since my mother died.  Her death was one of the worst things I have ever experienced in my life besides loosing my beloved grandparents and my beloved step-father, Ben.

I'm not ready for any more death, but I know that the next death could be my husband or even my sister or me.  I don't know how one gets over loosing a beloved spouse.  I don't want to be the one left behind.  It has gone all too fast and I don't want to reach the end.  Not yet. 

Of course, if I go first, then no worries because I can think of nothing greater than to go to my heavenly home.  Being sleep deprived has made me yearn for my loved ones that has passed.  Seeing the whole picture and why Bruno being sick as affected me so much. 

I hate being so overly emotionally.  I always have been.  It's not something I am proud of, but it is who I am.  I am a little melancoly about life this Easter weekend. 

Today, Wednesday, April 3, 2013, we took Bruno to the vet.  They ran bloodwork, and confirmed he was dying.  The vet put him to sleep for us.  It is a sad day for us.  I am thankful for all the many years of companionship and love we had with Bruno.
 
 
 
 
 
 

15 comments:

The Bear's Blog said...

My dear friend, we are so sad about your loss.

Please know there is Rainbow Bridge and this precious little one will be waiting for you in Heaven. He is young and healthy and playing with all of our pets who have crossed.

I do believe that they have a soul, I believe that God takes care in a special way for all the animals, He created them.

Our deepest sympathy.

Sandee said...

I'm so sorry honey. We get so attached to our babies and they are part of our family. They are far more than just a cat of a dog they are our hearts.

Big healing hugs honey. ☺

DeEtta said...

A beautiful tribute to your Loving Bruno. I believe animals have a spirit. May you treasure the many memories you had with him. It's OK to cry, it shows the compassion and love you have for life. Love you {{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}}

Finding Pam said...

Joyce, the Rainbow Bridge poem has helped me so many times when I have lost a beloved pet.


Sandee, our pets are indeed our hearts. I needed to hear that.

DeEtta, thank you for the love and hugs. I appreciated all of the beautiful thoughts.

Travis Cody said...

I'm so sorry for your loss.

Run free Mr Bruno.

Jeni said...

I'm so sorry to read about the loss of your beloved cat, Bruno. Please accept my sincerest condolences. I can relate completely to your words and actions having gone down that road on numerous occasions with losing several much loved dogs as well as a few pampered felines that have share our home too over the years. Like you, I too believe in the existence of the Rainbow Bridge and look forward someday to being reunited with the dog I had during my teenage years. Good old Duffy who was a sweet, loveable, loyal cocker mix -solid black coat with a little white diamond under his chin. He's been gone now almost 50 years it will be in June and I still miss that dog as much today as when he left us. I think though his spirit has returned to some degree and resides in the little Benji type mutt we have now as Sammy is much like Duffy was -just different color and mixture of breeds but same disposition, same love and loyalty he gives to me and my family. Peace be with you as you deal with your loss and know that you are not alone with those feelings.

Finding Pam said...

Jeni, like you I will see all of my lovely pets. Duffy sounds like he was a great dog.

I sincerely appreciate your beautiful comment. It's not going to be the same without Bruno. It still hurts as much to loose a pet as it did when I was a child.

Akelamalu said...

I am so very sorry you had to lose your beloved pet. I know from experience how very hard it is to make the decision to put a pet out of pain. You did the right thing for Bruno, he'll be happy in heaven. ((HUGS))

Gail said...

HI PAM - so sorry for your loss - Bruno knew how much he was loved. I hope you find some comfort in k owing that.
Love to you
Gail
peace.....

Finding Pam said...

Akelamula, it is never easy to make that decision to put a pet down, but we didn't want to hime suffer or be in pain.


Gail, your comment is so sweet. Bruno knew how much we loved him and yes, it does give us comfort in knowing that. Love back to you.

Catherine said...

I am in tears.

What a beautiful cat and such a character. He found you and you gave him a wonderful life.

Finding Pam said...

Marianne, thank you for the lovely comment. I can tell you love animals.

Chickie said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. You did right by him & he loves you for it.

Finding Pam said...

Thank you, Chickie.

Rudee said...

I'm so sorry, Pam.