One of the Hardest Days I've had...

Today began with a lot of things happening...so I will begin with yesterday.

For the past month or so, we have had a wonderful office cat that was an owner surrender. The cat was a purebreed Persian, that was an absolute mess. He had rotten teeth, mats everywhere, over grown claws...just a mess. We cleaned up, gave him the care he needed, and he was just a happy cat. Over time, he grew on you like you would not believe. He looked like an Ewok from Star Wars, and he sounded like one too. That was one of the many loving names I gave him, along with "Bumbly Butts", " Mr.Bumblies", and a few others. First thing people would do when they came in for their shift was say "Hi" to Mr.Bumbles(that was the cats name). He was lavished with attention and love. In the morning, I noticed he was salivating abnormally, panting, and was very unsteady on his feet. I rushed him to vets office, where they ran blood work. Everything came back normal. Their next step was to run a thyroid test, so we were to wait a couple of days for results.

Today began with the death of a puppy that had parvo. We did everything we could for this puppy, but unfortunately it was not enough. He got tired of fighting...

Later that day, around 9 we get a call from the vets office...with bad news. Bumbles went into seizures over night and declined  quicker than anyone had anticipated. At 10:30 or so, it was decided that there was nothing else we could for him. He wasn't suffering, but he was very much on his way out. The vet came to the conclusion, that it was probably cancer or neurological. He had just slowly been dying since the day we got him. He had finally gotten to the point where he could not fight hard enough to live a normal life. At 10:45, the decision was made that he be euthanized.

In all my animal care experience, I have never witnessed an animal be put to sleep. It was just all that more difficult due to the fact that I had become extremely attached to Bumbles. I needed to be there with him...I HAD to be there for him.

I got to the vets office and they led me to the back where he was being comfortably kept. When I saw him, my heart sank and my eyes immediately teared up. He looked so...so different, so pity-full. I moved the blanket that was slightly covering his face and placed my hand gently on his head and stroked him lightly with my fingers. I talked to him, told him I loved him, and how he always made my day. When he heard my voice he used all his strength to open his eyes and lift his head. He tried to meow to let me know he was hearing me. I know he knew I was there for him, and I know it made him happy to hear my voice.

They moved him to the operating table and vet prepared the needle. I watched him as he gently inserted the needle to Bumbles vein. I watched as Bumbles' breathing slowed and his eyes grew heavy. I told him to be happy and to never forget us. His chest slowed...then stopped. His eyes shut forever, and he was gone.

I've never met a cat with more personality, quirkiness, and love. I know I will never meet another one like him. He will always be in my heart, my little Ewok...my Bumbles.