I purchased Tabitha
at a local pet shop while still a college student.
I kept her (in secret as pets were not allowed) with me in my dorm.
After school through several first jobs and apartments
she stayed with me.
Although very skittish as a kitten
over time her trust and bonding with me grew stronger
with each passing day.
She always “tucked me in to bed”
and went from sleeping at the foot of the bed
to resting near my head with physical contact with my hand or arm.
I woke up today knowing I needed to get her to the Vet
as the growth around one of her breasts
had grown too large again.
The sight of blood left behind was an omen.
She ate so well up until the end.
It just so happened I was out of regular moist food this morning
so Tabitha enjoyed a last meal of tuna-fish
normally a rare treat for her.
She ate a good portion.
Within the next hour we were off to the vet.
The vet was kind talked about all of the various treatments
chemotherapy radioactive iodine.
All quite costly with no guarantee of success
and very likely to lessen her quality of life.
At 15 years old surgery was not looking like a solution
as the cancer had surely spread.
I came home early from work today
where she would normally great me at the entryway.
I will miss our conversations as at times I knew she was trying
to extend beyond her mental abilities to tell me things.
I can hear her meow when I would play bagpipe music
or if I were to sing along with a tune.
She would try and join in.
Can a bond with a pet be as deep as a human one?
In some ways I think so.
There is a simplicity and understanding.
Words that can’t be said and yet do not need to be either.
Thanks for reading my story.
May Tabitha someday understand that I did not want her to suffer
and the choice to put her down was one
of the hardest I have ever made.
Peace to you all.
Daniel
| Tabitha |
| Daniel Lepel |