" Sam " June 10 1999
Cat
We got Sammy about 6 months ago.
Leighton (my boyfriend) decided to cheer me up and take me to
the RSCPA to see if we could find a nice kitten for me.
I didn't really find anything that I liked but a little gray and
black tabby grabbed the attention of Leighton.
We went over to have look.
He was about 5 months old at the time and was extremely excited
that he had someone paying him some attention.
He stuck his paw out the cage and wouldn't let go of Leighton's
jumper as if to say "Hey guys come on take me. Please."
We decided that we weren't leaving without him.
As soon as we got him home I instantly fell in love.
Sam was the most loving cat that I have ever come across.
He would have to be on your lap.
You could push him off and straight away he would jump back on.
He really was a people cat. And I was his person.
We discovered that Sam was very smart and could do lots of tricks.
Even the local vet was amazed by his intelligence.
He could fetch like a dog and would tire me out easily.
At the time we were living in a 2 bedroom unit until our house
was finished. We have now been in the house for about 10 weeks.
Sam loved the house.
Sam had never been outside before but he wasn't even interested.
The house was his paradise. He used to follow me everywhere.
He would wait outside the shower until I had finished then get in
for a quick drink of the fresh water.
At night he would sleep with us under the covers and snuggle
down behind my back at night and come back to bed after
brekkie for a while until it was time for me to get up then
he'd tickle my face with his whiskers.
He was my best friend.
About three weeks ago Sam went off his food.
I tried changing his food and enticing him with fresh meat etc.
He still wasn't interested. I took him to the vet.
He had a high temperature and the vet said to leave him
overnight so that they could monitor him.
The next day his temperature hadn't dropped so he was to
stay another night. I rang the next day and was told I could take
him home but he needed to be bought back for daily temperature
checks as they couldn't find anything wrong with him.
I was thrilled to be able to take him home.
The last couple of days had been horrible.
I was so lonely without my friend. I got Sam home only to find
that he was wobbly in his back legs. I hadn't noticed this
before so I rushed him straight back down to the vet.
They asked to take him again. I was devastated.
The vet told me that he could have a number of diseases.
For days we did test after test trying to find out what was wrong with
him but Sam proved to be negative to them all.
His temperature had dropped and he was eating again.
I had hope as he was showing signs if an improvement.
I was bringing my baby home soon.
Over the next couple of days Sam deteriorated.
He went blind his front legs went and he started walking in circles.
When I went to visit him he couldn't see me although he could
hear his Mummy's voice and seemed to be comforted by that.
But he was distant and just laying in my arms. I new he couldn't
keep up the fight for survival much longer.
I knew what was going to happen. His distance broke my heart I
knew deep down that this would be the last time that I held my baby.
The next morning I received a phone call from the vet.
He told me that Sam had gotten worse and that I needed
to make a decision.
It was then that I had to make the hardest decision of my life,
but I couldn't bare to see him suffer any longer but I also
couldn't bare to lose him either.
I didn't even have the strength to go and see him again.
I really wish I did now. Just to hold him again and assure him
that I love him and he was going to a better place.
I just can't believe this all happened in a matter of two weeks.
I just want the nightmare to end.
Never in my life have I felt such feelings of helplessness,
loneliness and heartbreak.
I wait for the day when we meet again at Rainbow Bridge.
"Sammy you were one in a million.
Never can you be replaced.
Mummy loves and misses you very much".
Sweet Dreams...
(Written on the 10/10/1999)
| Sam |
| Rachel |