Just when we were all rejoicing that Little Pi had been found, albeit inside a drain, we received news this morning that our little baby had passed on late last night.
We are all very sad, but we accept that these are the imperfections in life. The mortality rate of rescued kittens is very high, and though we certainly try our very best, sometimes Nature has to take its course, and the little babies have to move on. We can only be comforted knowing that they move on to a higher realm of existence, and hopefully, be free from the suffering of an animal life.
Here’s Terry’s very touching account of Little Pi’s last hours with us:
”It was 11.20pm on a Sunday night. I stood there watching as the little bundle cradled in my arms mewed his last breath. The unstaring eyes gently closed and the pawing claws stopped pawing. Little Pi curled up in the towel and went on his journey.”
In loving memory of Little Pi
Little Pi got his/her name from the book, Life of Pi by Yann Martel. The character Pi, is a young indian boy who survived a ship sinking incident for over 200 days with a Zebra, an Orang Utan, a Hyena and a 450 pound Bengal tiger.
After rescuing Pi from his watery death in the drain, both Teresa and I thought that it would be fitting for him to be named ‘Pi’ after the survivor in the book.
Little Pi
Little Pi was still healthy when I fed him before going to the booth at SJBA. He even expressed his contentment in the way he ‘swished’ his tail after feeding. Even when I saw him in the evening during Panthera’s adoption, he seemed well.
However after dinner, I came to find him seemingly lifeless in his cage. He was lying on his side, something he never does. I called him and touched him and his response was a slight movement and a small mew. His body was cold to touch, thinking that he needed warmth, I quickly cradled him in my arms and wrapped him up in his towel, all the while preparing his milk and boiling water for heat.
He was weak but he responded every time I called him. His eyes were glued shut by the slight infection he developed since the incident so I cleaned it. Opening his eyes I could see that he was fading fast. I tried to feed him but he only took a few drops before refusing the rest. Then with one last feeble mew and a paw, he quietly left us.
I wrapped him up in his towel and laid him to rest in front of my altar and lit an incense to guide him on his way, spending a quiet moment with him as I said some prayers.
Then I laid him to rest in his coffin, and left the lid open for Nana in case she wants to pay her last respects.
Little Pi’s coffin
This afternoon, I buried little Pi in my backyard. As I was digging the grave, I saw a grey and white butterfly the same colour as Pi flitting next to me and landing on a flower nearby. And I know, that he has gone to a better place.
Little Pi’s final resting place
Little flowers for Little Pi
Goodbye Little Pi, may you be well and happy.
Little Pi sent the butterfly to tell us he’s off to a happier realm now. We wish him well on his next journey.
Terry, thank you for all the love and care you showered on the little one’s short journey in this life. The encounter may have been quite short, but you have made a big difference in his life. We can only live in the moment, and what we do in that moment is all that counts.
Make every moment count.
Comments
6 responses to “Goodbye, Little Pi…”
so sad story… rest in peace kitty (_-_)
Dear Terry,
I remember you telling me on Sunday afternoon about Pi with so much love in your expression. My condolences for the loss of Pi. This update has made me shed tears. You really did pour your heart out.
I totally agree with Kah Yein that the encounter may have been quite short, but you have made a big difference in his life.
Thank you so much for the tender loving care that you have given to Pi and the rest of the animals.
Dear Kah Yein,
Thank you so much for the REMINDER that we can only live in the moment, and what we do in that moment is all that counts. Make every moment count.
It's so sad…..
rest in peace little one 🙁
Thanks Li Lian. It was nice meeting you on Sunday. Little Pi's memory will live on in kitten immortality.
He's a little digit (3.142) that makes a huge difference (math joke).
Terry