As our pets reach their twilight years…(a very touching account from Judy Chua)

As pet owners or caregivers, we will all face this one day.

Below is an account from Judy Chua where she relates how she cares for her two 14+ year old cats, Honeybun and Frank, as they approach the inevitable – passing on to a better place.

Dear KY

The ageing process is taking its toll on the 14+ year old  siblings.  In human years they are 100+.  Both siblings are very close.  In her present condition, Honeybun will go before Frank.  Her apetite has been poor the last month and the past couple of days, she’s not eating, only takes sips of soup or water.  She has kidney problems, Nefrotec has helped to clear her pee, but she’s not interested in KD kibbles.  She will only eat steamed kembong fish when her apetite was still ok.  I suspect she won’t live out the week.  She’s light as a feather, only skin and bones.  I have to make sure I hold her ever so gently.  She still comes into my room at night to sleep with me.  I have to carry her onto the bed the past week,  but last night I noticed that she’s not able to land on the floor properly when she wants to get off the bed.  I’m planning to sleep on the floor tonight.  I told my sis this morning that we’ll have to play Imee’s metta chant when Honeybun comes into the house.  She likes to be in the backyard during the day.

Frank suffers from poor bowel movements as his colon muscles no longer work well.  He had constipation problems for many years, and even had to have his stool maually evacuated by the vet once.  Its a huge effort for him to pass motion each day.  A few years ago, he became very emaciated and I thought he was going to leave us but he bounced back.  I anticipate that a day will come his heart will no longer be strong enough to help him push out his stool.  We no longer let him come into the house as he’ll be dripping loose stools after each massive effort to clear his bowels.  He has his sleeping quarters in the back portion of the house and is free to roam the backyard.

So, such is samsara  .. having to part from those you cherish.  Tks for sending Honeybun and I metta .. we will need it.  May you too abide in metta.

Below pix of Frank and Honeybun taken this morning in the backyard.  I’m ever so grateful to them for helping me be what I am today.

I slept on the floor last night and she came to lie beside me for awhile.  Just before I woke up, I found her lying beside me again.  Had to carry her out to the backyard this morning.  She’s now very unsteady on her feet.  She’s back in the house.  Have been playing Immee’s metta chant for her.  She like all other cats in my house loves the metta chant. They’ll be quiet and relaxed when they hear the chant.

We can empathise because we’ve been through it.  I know how difficult it must have been for you too with Bobby & co.

Today’s update:

Honeybun is still holdng on but it may not be for long.  This morning we helped her pee and there was watery stool as well.  She had not eaten for over a week, just having sips of water.  Based on my past experience with the dying (humans, cats and dogs),  when they no longer eat and have a final cleansing of their bowels & bladder, its almost time for them to go.