The outpouring of concern and compassion from the ActiveRain community during our recent sadness with our Lazer has been so heartfelt and heartwarming. It is unbelievable that all of these relationships were chance encounters allowed to flourish.
Meeting Lazer was like that…a chance encounter. Who knows what prompted her to make her presence known at a house in the middle of the woods fourteen years ago? She arrived in spite of the fact that there were a dozen rescued dogs in the yard. It didn’t matter, she selected us to be with.
We called her eyes “hoody owl eyes” because the brilliant green eyes were surrounded by a hooded expression. We would sing “Lazer, Lazer the wonder cat” to her utter disgust at our display of emotions. She ruled the house with a firm paw. The dogs learned early on to never, ever look her in the eyes. We would completely crack up at the dogs practically tripping over themselves to clear the way for the little feline dominatrix. If the dogs walked to close they risked a fast as greased lightning swat with her little paw. She loved sunbeams, hiding under blankets, salmon, tuna and watching our dinner plates.
We don’t know how many lives she’d already led when she came to us or how many she has yet to fulfill but we are forever grateful that at least a couple of them she shared with us.
After a sad week of coming to grips knowing she wouldn’t beat this bout with kidney disease, Lazer took her last breath about 11:00 this morning in the company of the humans who loved her beyond measure. We’ve lost a good number of pet friends in the past…some went on their own and some we took to the vet’s to be euthanized. It never seemed to us that Lazer wanted euthanasia, she hated going to the vet. We decided that as long as she seemed relaxed and not in pain or having difficulty breathing that she could go on her own terms.
Leslie watched over her all night, turning her when she couldn’t turn herself. I took over in the morning, holding her in my arms against my chest…just like she used to sleep. In her semi-coma state she still managed to make kneading gestures against my arm. Her breathing was soft and steady, her heartbeat rhythmic and constant. Shortly before 11:00, Leslie said she thought Lazer was ready to leave. We watched her fade from this life and enter her next one as a healthy and sassy kitten again.
To all of you in ActiveRain who commented so sweetly on the previous posts, thank you so much. For those who sent personal notes, you will never know how helpful it was knowing others recognized our grief. To the family and friends who kept up with us and Lazer either from these posts or by phone calls and visits…we love you. I know Lazer sallied forth in a gentle manner because of the white light everyone sent her way.
Everyday I cherish the chance encounters life sends our way and appreciate the depth of compassion shown us by everyone.
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