Belated post about Willow's last day. [View all]

We said goodbye to Willow yesterday as planned. Everything went smoothly, the vet was great, and our little girl left us peacefully. First they gave her a sedative, and then, once she was sleeping peacefully, the final injection. I stayed with her to the very end, but Mr. B had to duck out once she was sedated. Poor guy was having flashbacks to something that happened when he was a teenager, when his dad took the family dog to be euthanized without giving him any warning ahead of time, and he came home to fine the dog gone. He had never even told me that story before, but he was obviously pretty traumatized by that experience. For a minute there, I thought he was going to have a panic attack, but he had regained his composure by the time I came out and got in the car with him.

Anyway, back to Willow...she looked so sweet and peaceful after they gave her the sedative. Looking at her face, I realized that she had probably been more uncomfortable for a while than we had even realized. Her face was perfectly relaxed, in a way that told me she was feeling better than she had in a long time. The vet asked my permission before giving the second injection, I said okay, and it was all over in the blink of a eye, after all these months and weeks of watching her go downhill a little at a time. As much as I miss her, it's a blessing to be able to remember her that way, completely comfortable and peaceful with that sweet, sleeping kitty look on her face. I kissed her on the top of her head a couple of times, thanked the vet, and left to rejoin Mr. B in the parking lot.

We are doing as well as could be expected under the circumstances. Like I said, I miss her, but I realize that what I really miss is the "old" healthy, happy Willow, not the shadow of her former self she became towards the end. That's the Willow that will always live in my heart.

Before I go, here's the last picture I took of her back in January, smooshing herself into a much too tiny box. (Believe it or not, she actually fell asleep in there!)



Sorry it's taken me so long to post. I was feeling too exhausted and drained to post anything last night. I am deeply grateful for the support you all have given me at this difficult time. The DU Pets forum is awesome, and so are all of you!