Friday, July 23, 2010

Journey to the Rainbow Bridge

Skylar with Mommy Erin, at the vet
Skylar with Mom, at the vet
This morning, I woke up on the bed curled up with Dad, Mom, and Starla.  Rori was at the foot of the bed, too.  I woke Mom and Dad up when the alarm went off, and Mom fed me TUNA!  She and Dad got ready, while I lay by the water bowls in the dining room, exchanging sniffs with Carbon, Tabby, and Little Bit.

Then, Dad went out to the truck, and I got up to follow him.  Mom said to wait, so I lay back down while she put my harness and leash on.  She went to wash her hands, because I had jumped in the tub while she was getting ready so I had water all over my tummy.  I got up to follow her, but Carbon bit my leash and pinned me!  I lay down under the table instead, then Little Bit pinned me by my leash, too!

Mom picked me up, petted everyone, and we went out the door.  When we got in the truck, I walked over to sit on Dad's lap so I could look out the window, like I usually do.  They said we were going to pick up Mommy Erin.  Why?  I looked right at them when they said Mommy Erin's name, knowing who she was (which I sometimes forgot, but I was forgetting a lot of things recently).

When Mommy Erin got in the truck, Mom sat in the back so I could sit with Erin, but I kept switching between her and Dad.  Then, we turned onto the street where my doctor is, and I knew that's where we were going!  I went over to sit in Erin's lap, looking out the window, until we got there, then I looked straight through the windshield at the doctor's office!

We all got out of the car, and I wanted to walk.  Nope, Mom insisted on carrying me.  In we went, straight into a room.  We were only there a few minutes before they switched rooms on us because another patient was coming in who needed an isolation room.  No one minded, because no one cared which room we were in.  The vet tech came in with paperwork, which Mom signed, and Mom and Mommy Erin took pictures of me.  Finally they put me down so I could rest!  I lay on the floor, purring.  I knew somehow, the doctor was going to do something for my pain and make me feel better.  The doctor always helps me; I love my Dr. Bob and Dr. C.!

Dr. C. came in, and she DID give me something for my pain!  She gave me a shot that made me VERY sleepy!  I didn't want to go to sleep, but Mom and Mommy Erin said it was ok.  Dad was sitting in the chair, and he said it was ok to go to sleep, too.  Mom and Erin petted me until I fell asleep, then Dad came over and petted me, saying his goodbyes to me, and kissed me.  He went out of the room, but at that point I wasn't in a position to follow him.

Mommy Erin picked me up, and my tongue stuck out of my mouth!  I wiggled it, but I was too sleepy to put it back in!  Dr. C. said that might happen, and it was normal for sedated cats.  What Mom and Erin didn't expect, though, was to hear me PURRRRRRR!!!!!  I was soooo sleepy, but I wasn't in pain anymore, and I was happy, they were holding me and petting me, and I was comfortable, more comfortable than I've been in years!

Dr. C. came in and made pawprints for Mom and Mommy Erin.  She shaved parts of my fur off my leg and over my heart, and gave the fur to them as well.  Then, she tried to give me the other shot.  She couldn't find my blood vessel in my rear leg!  She said I have "old man veins"!  Hmm...I don't think that was meant as a compliment!  She used a vein in my front leg, which she could see after shaving some more of my thick fur, but not all the shot would go in.  Enough of it went, though.

My heartbeat slowed, breathing slowed, then everything stopped.

I was floating, looking down on everyone as my body was wrapped in blue surgical sheeting and given to Mom.  Mom and Dad drove Mommy Erin home, then drove home and let the other cats sniff my body.  Dad brought Starla out of the bedroom to sniff, too.  Then they buried my body in the backyard right next to Spooky's body.

I floated higher, then saw my sister Lydia coming toward me!  Lydi!  We greeted each other, purring together.  Then, I saw both our little Spooky and our foster Spooky/Nyx, Sara Kitty, Squishy, and all the other angels waiting for me.  All my angel Catster friends were there, too, gathered underneath Calvin's sign!

I asked if I could visit my family from time to time, and everyone said I could.  I know they are really going to miss me, and I'm going to miss them, but I know they did the best thing for me.  They took all my pain away, and that's the best gift anyone can give.  I love you!

19 comments:

Ikaika said...

Run free at the Bridge, beautiful Skylar! Purrs for your family ....

Samantha & Mom said...

Have fun at the Rainbow Bridge Skyler!! Say hello to our Ariel sister for us!! We love you!! Till we meet again!!((((((HUGGGGS))))))))
and purrrrs for your family!!
Your TX furiends,

Zippy, Sadie, Speedy and M'Gee said...

So glad your not in pain any more Skyler, give our Punkin a hug from us. We know your fambly will miss you lots so we'll send dem hugs and you be sure to visit der dreams and give dem whisker kisses!

Gemini and Ichiro said...

Skyler--how lovely to go while your humans wave. Purrs to those you have left behind and say hello to Georgia for us okay? Gemini really misses her a lot.

The Island Cats said...

Oh Skylar, our eyes are leaking now. We know you are pain-free now and are happy and playing at the bridge. We hope you meet up with the ones that came before us there...Scooter and Bogart...tell them our mom misses them, okay??

Mark's Mews (Marley, Lori, Loki, and Binq) said...

We are all crying here, but we are glad yer pain is gone away now Sweet Skylar.

Run free and happy again...

Robyn and The (Mostly) Badass Cat said...

Run free wif no pains any more at tha Bridge Skylar! Our Chloe will show yoo around. She a nice blak kitteh. We will purrrs lots for your fambly down here for their sads, and we will a'mind them too that yoo will be waitin fur thems.
Luv n purrss,
Sanjee and tha resta tha Hotties

KC said...

O, Skylar, I's so glad you's not hurting anymores.
You run and play, and say hi to Charlie Taylor, we miss him so much.
We's all got leaking eyes now.
Love to you, we will miss you so,
KC

Everycat said...

Skylar you were a beautiful and wonderful cat on earth and now you can be that same cat at The Bridge.

Love and rumbly purrs to you and your family

Whicky Wuudler

The Florida Furkids said...

Sweet Skylar our Mom's eyes are so leaky right now. We know that you are happy and pain-free at the Bridge. We will miss you.

(((Hugs and Purrs)))

Sniffie and the Florida Furkids

Poppy Q said...

Sweet dreams Skylar, you look after your family and keep purring.

Hugs to all your family too.

Sparkle said...

Skylar, your post made my human all weepy! But I am not sad, I am happy you aren't in pain anymore, and as I said before, I know we will meet again. Many purrs to your family.

Jake and Micah said...

Skylar, We're so happy that your journey to the Bridge was so peaceful. Now you're pain free and restored to your young and playful spirit. Our eyes are leaking because we know how much your family is hurting because they miss you so much already. Please say hi to Jake & Micah for us at the Bridge because we miss them too.
Purrs, Jonah, Fionna & Micky

Memories of Eric and Flynn said...

We are glad your journey was peaceful and painfree and you left surrounded by the love of your family. Play happily at the Bridge with all your friends old and new.

Jack, Persephone, Tenzing and Lancelot said...

We're glad you're not in any pain or anything anymore! It's time to play now! We hope you're having lots of fun! We'll purr for your peoples!

~Jack, Persephone and Tenzing

Sweet Purrfections said...

Skyler, my mom's eyes are pouring water right now. I told her not to worry because you were free of pain and we would all see you again at the bridge. Please give my sister before me, Muff a nudge.

Nikita Cat said...

RIP, Play in Peace, at the Bridge, brave kitty.

Loved seeing your last videos, and hearing your voice. ;-D

If you see my mentor, a orange Cat I knew as The Old Man, let him know I'm doing for a fiesty young Tortie, what he once did for me, and she will, I feel confident, make us both proud.

Daisy said...

Oh Skylar, thanks for letting us know you made the trip safely to the Bridge. I'm glad your crossing was peaceful and you were with your loved ones. Rest in peace.

Jans Funny Farm said...

We watched the videos but somehow we missed this post until now. We're all teary thinking of your family and how much they miss you, Skylar. Purrs and tail wags.