In Loving Memory…

Almost 13 years ago we started our search for the perfect cat.  I wanted a lap cat and wanted a cat that needed and wanted affection and boy did I get it.  Bailey loved to be held.  He was at your feet at every waking moment.  He had certain cries for certain things that he wanted and communicated very well.  He was a purebred Birman and as fluffy as a cat could be.  He loved to be brushed, loved laying in your lap and loved any attention anyone would give him.  We got him 9 months after we were married (our first little baby).  He was indeed the perfect cat!

Bailey, passed away on Friday, May 21, 2010 at 12 years of age.  He hadn’t eaten, drank, or used the litter box in three days (that we’re aware of).  I took him to the vet on Friday and the doctor thought it might be his kidneys.  Said he was very dehydrated, then tried to take blood and found out he was extremely dehydrated, so wanted to keep him over night to observe and hook up to an IV.  So, I left the vet with an empty cat carrier, but thinking I’d get a call on Saturday to say that I could come to pick him up or that the blood work showed something and we needed to make the decision to keep him alive or put him to sleep.

Apparently Jason got a call before I even made it home from the vet saying that Bailey had passed away on his own.  They were trying to hook him up to an IV and he just stopped fighting his fight.  It’s very bittersweet as we were just recently considering finding a better home for him.  He required so much love and attention that we now couldn’t give to him with Brody.  I think he partly died of a broken heart.  I’m very sad (as you can imagine).

I’m struggling with that best case scenario.  Is it better that he died on his own?  Sure, we didn’t have to make a choice.  He made it for us.  But then I think how it might have been easier to know that he was suffering and to make that choice for him (as if we were saving him from a horrible road that led before him).  There would be peace in that.  Either way, it was his time.  He is definitely not hurting anymore.  I will forever remember his last visit with the vet (and it wasn’t a pretty one).  Oh I wish I could get that memory out of my mind.  Every place in this house reminds me of him.  He was everywhere (waiting at the door when we got home, sitting at my feet as I washed bottles each night, jumping into bed with me to snuggle at night, etc…).  There are so many memories.

The day that Bailey died, I was able to get some pictures of Brody with Bailey and I’m so thankful I thought to do that.  One last memory.  Bailey was loved and he had a good life.  Rest in peace Bailey.

Our neighbor’s little girl next door, Jessie (9-years-old), had an assignment in church yesterday to write a letter to God. Here’s what she wrote (and boy do we feel honored that she wanted to pray for us).