Special offer
Home > Blogs > Chris Ann Cleland > Bristow-Gainesville Real Estate News & Opinion
bookmark_border

New Beginnings with a Sad Ending

By
Real Estate Agent with Long and Foster Real Estate VA License # 0225089470

New Beginnings with a Sad Ending

Not too long ago I posted about my veterinarian moving to California.  Thankfully, she was part of a practice of amazing doctors.  I had a follow up visit with Dr. Henderson, the doctor she had referred my Phoebe's case of intestinal distress too.  Our visit made me very comfortable.  Dr. Henderson was so gentle  with my Phoebe and really took care to deal with the fact that she was blind.  Rather than taking her back to the technician area to draw a repeat blood panel, she did it in the exam room so Phoebe wouldn't be scared.

Well, today I thought the most I would have to do with Dr. Henderson was getting follow up blood results from our Friday appointment.  Not so.  My brother called with distressing news.  Our Mom's cat Pearl, who had been ill and in decline for months was no longer eating or drinking This was Pearl about a month before my Mom adopted her. She had been living with us temporarily until we could find her a home.and seemed to be in pain.  I looked at the clock.  My Mom's vet was closed and I left an urgent message.  We needed a quick response because Pearl was dying, it was only a matter of how long she was going to suffer.  

I called the technician I know well, Erika, and asked if any of the docs would be willing to do a house call and help put an end to Pearl's suffering.  Before I knew it she had called Dr. Henderson and the two of them had decided it was best to meet my Mom, brother, and Pearl at the practice, which had been closed for three hours.  There, Dr. Henderson and Erika shed tears with my Mom over Pearl and her sickness.  She had a matter of days left from what the blood work revealed. 

Mom was able to do the compassionate thing in the quiet of the vet's office and with two of the of the most caring veterinary professionals I have ever met.  

While I know my family is blessed to have had their help to night, my thoughts are now with my Mom who lost her only household companion tonight.  Pearl was a sweet cat and loved my Mom dearly.  She held on as long as she could for her, but couldn't hold on any longer.  My Mom's world revolved around Pearl, so I ask for your prayers for my Mom's broken heart.  

Comments(26)

Subscribe to Comments Comment
Submit
Show All Comments
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Oh gosh, this is so sad. Hugs for your mom.  I know exactly how this feels and the last time it happened I had troubles everytime I went home. I'm glad that you guys had the best vetinary help and compassion.  But, it is still so sad. 

Feb 01, 2015 06:20 PM
Roger D. Mucci
Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH
Lets shake things up at your home today!

So sorry for your Mom and her loss.....very sad Chris Ann.

Feb 01, 2015 09:03 PM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Chris Ann. My tears are flowing and I will surely pray for your Mom. I hope that a time will come when Mom can save another to honor her beloved Pearl and help her heal. So very very sorry.

Feb 01, 2015 09:51 PM
Amanda Christiansen
Christiansen Group Realty (260)704-0843 - Fort Wayne, IN
Christiansen Group Realty

Awww...  What a pretty cat she was.  Our pets become our family.  I'm sorry for your mom's loss.  

Feb 02, 2015 04:15 AM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

Oh Chris Ann I'm so very sorry to heard this.  I know this won't be kind on your mother.  I had a dream this morning that another cat came to my house and played with my rabbit and Charlie cat.  Your post triggered that recall.   I'm so sorry my friend.

Feb 02, 2015 05:04 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Alexandra:  We are blessed to have such a great practice in our back yards.

Nancy:  Pearl was her only household companion so it that much worse.  She feels terribly alone right now.

Fred:  It's never easy to lose one, even when they've been spiraling downward and you know you're making the right decision to end their suffering.

Feb 02, 2015 05:23 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Michael:  Mom made the right choice to end her precious Pearl's suffering.  There is comfort in knowing Pearl isn't in pain anymore.

Curtis:  Obviously, I could not be more pleased with our replacement.  Who would come in on a day off, a Super Bowl Sunday, to help us out?  Not many.

Inna:  Pearl was a very beautiful cat.  Her silvery coat turned brownish as she got sicker, so this was a good lack at her in her prime.

 

Feb 02, 2015 06:09 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Debbie:  With great love comes great loss.  

Roger:  I was really happy to hear that her best friend took off work today and took her out shopping and for lunch.  

Sheila:  Saving another is probably not in the cards for Mom.   With her beginning stage Alzheimer's we are starting the search for assisted living.  I am not sure how they handle pets.

Feb 02, 2015 06:11 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Jared:  She was precious.  And a tiny thing.  This pic was taken when she lived with us.  She had been abandoned by an owner in a listing.  She hated our two cats, so when Mom came over for Thanksgiving that year, she gave her enough love for Mom to pack her up and take her where she would be the one and only cat.

Carla:  I think her own vet was keeping Pearl as comfortable as possible for as long as she could.  That vet knew that losing Pearl would devastate Mom.  We're keeping a close watch on her.

Feb 02, 2015 06:14 AM
Jon Kolsky
Kolsky Realty & Management - Long Beach, CA
Licensed California Real Estate Broker

Chris Ann Cleland ~ I have tears running down my face. It is so hard letting go of a family member & it is obvious Pearl was family.... Hopefully Pearl is in a happier place looking down and purring  

Feb 02, 2015 08:41 AM
Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

Chris Ann, losing a pet is one of the hardest things. My heart aches for your mom and the loss of her Pearl.

Feb 02, 2015 08:51 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Jon: I am relieved to know she is not suffering.  I think I knew she was in need of that final assistance about a month or two before my Mom.  It's hard when it's your best friend.  What warms my heart is that I had a dream about my Dad who has been gone since 1995.  He came to my Mom's house to "pick up Pearl."  This was a dream I had a couple weeks ago and when he saw her he said, "She's not ready to go yet."  Well, when she was ready she let Mom know.  But right now, she's with my Dad.

Siliva:  I was glad to hear Mom's best friend took the day off work and spent it with her out of the house.  Mom sounded very good when I last talked to her, though we all know she'll be sad for a long time.

Feb 02, 2015 09:16 AM
Bette Gottwald
UNITED REAL ESTATE | Central PA - Mechanicsburg, PA
"Bet"on Central PA Real Estate!

It's not easy commenting Chris Ann Cleland , my heart bleeds for your Mom and you.  Mom did the most loving thing possible for Pearl.  I hope she'll find some comfort in knowing that she gave Pearl a loving home and the best life possible.

Let's also hope your Mom can grasp the wonderful memories they made together.  Love leaves a memory, no one can take away.

Prayers are with Pearl to dance, dance, dance with your Dad in heaven, and for your Mom to heal.

Healing thoughts of prayers are sent to you as well, to get you through the rough times ahead.

Feb 02, 2015 09:55 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Bette:  Thank you so much for the kind words.

Feb 02, 2015 10:28 AM
Tammie White, Broker
Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN
Franklin TN Homes for Sale

I know how devastating the loss of a pet can be. I'll keep your mom in my prayers.

Feb 02, 2015 11:24 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Tammie:  Thank you.  She needs them right now.

Feb 03, 2015 12:55 AM
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

I've very sorry for your mom's loss, Chris Ann. Nothing can take the place that was once held by a cat like Pearl. You'll be there for your mom, I know, and you're such a kind, caring person, she'll fare better just because of you.

Feb 03, 2015 10:22 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Elizabeth:  The two of us are embarking on babysitting a four year old today.  Son of a friend who is leaving town and needs someone to watch until dad gets home.  It'll be the distraction we need.

Feb 04, 2015 02:26 AM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Um, Chris Ann, I have a spare kitten or two.  Millie and I are teaching them to purr on dumand and use the litter box. 

Feb 04, 2015 08:31 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Pat:  Not likely to happen for Mom to have another pet.

Feb 05, 2015 09:16 AM
Back to Top

What's the reason you're reporting this blog entry?

Are you sure you want to report this blog entry as spam?