RIP Tuffy-Cat in Still Listening to Spirit

I called Eric this morning to come put Tuffy to sleep. It is time. Not past time--please I pray he wasn't in bad pain! He didn't seem to be just having a hard time moving around at more than a snail's pace.

tuff insisted he needed to go down to the garage today so I carried him in the rain down. He wasn't happy down there for very long, so Hub brought him back up to me.

I spent part of the day making order and clean in the living space. I eliminated some things I no longer need near me, things that I wanted within reach when I answered the phone for pre-books and did them on the computer. Dusted, swept, did dishes and put some order on everything. This seems to be the first thing I do when season is over. Much needed because I do neglect it all while working and tired.

Eric was scheduled to come by at 4:30 as he was working, but called at 3pm to say he had finished early and could come by. I told him to come on upstairs, he said he would knock first. I called Hub to let him know what was going on and to keep the dogs inside. Hub and I agreed on an amount of money to give to Paws and Claws for the service and Hub said he would meet Eric downstairs to give him the money. Hub also said he was going to give Eric one of my old T-shirts to wrap him up in to take him away.

I picked up Tuff to wait on Eric and he immediately began giving me kitty kisses. I have done this with all my cats. Tuff is the one who is most insistent that I comply...Kitty kisses are the kitty licking my lips and I let a little spit out so they can lick it. When I pick Tuff up and hold him on his back, he reaches out his paw to my far cheek and slips 1 claw out and pulls my face toward him for kisses. He doesn't quit until he is ready no matter how much I turn my head or say no.

So we had at least 5 minutes of kitty kisses and petting and loving. Eric came up and in, Tuff greeted him at the door. Eric carried his 'medical bag' looked like a tackle box. He put it on my coffee table and I asked him if the footstool would suit and he said it would. He wanted a plastic bag to put under Tuff. He said that sometimes they pee or vomit before the first drug takes effect.

As he opened his bag, he turned to me and said "You are absolutely doing the right thing. This is the last kindness you can do for your cat that shows how much you love him." He explained that the first shot would put Tuff into a sleep-like state, he would not be able to move when it took complete effect, but he could still hear.

It took about 3 minutes before Tuff finally laid down and relaxed. The whole time I was petting him. Eric was at his head and face talking to him softly and petting his head and ears and under his chin. He talked to Tuff like they had been best buddies for years. I was impressed by his kindness, calmness and caring. We talked when I felt like it and were quiet except for murmuring to Tuffy.

The last shot came about 10 minutes later and Tuff's heart stopped and he was gone. I picked Tuff to hold him one last time and Eric looked me in the eyes and said "I am sorry for your loss."

We wrapped Tuff in my t-shirt, put him in a plastic bag and then in a box and then wrapped the box in another plastic bag. Eric stood and held out his arms, I rose from my seat and we hugged. Once again after the hug he said "I am sorry for your loss"

Eric is the son of Barb and Al, good friends from Moe's. Barb bartended there and was one of the first people I met on the night we came here because Hub and Rich wanted a beer or two to unwind. Moe's is where Hub played music once a week for years, did the janitoring and maintenance, etc. and Barb and I became close. Not so much lately because she has health problems that don't allow her to get out--she has some sort of something that makes her dizzy and she suffers horrible vertigo when she moves. And, yes, she has seen numerous doctors and such with no diagnosis and nothiing she can take that will help it that doesn't give her awful side effects. Anyway, Eric has turned into a wonderful young man, is married to a great woman, they share 2 children of their own and 3 of hers.

I so deeply appreciate being able to have this done at home rather than stressing the animal with a car ride to the vet...which we don't have...instead it was an airplane ride to Juneau before Eric and the chief of police took a course on how to do this.

In other news, Hub's tooth is no better. I talked to Madame today and she also has a toothache...She is going to Juneau to the dentist Monday I think she said. Meantime,Carol at the clinic has given her some antibiotics to take care of the infection.

Hub is going to have to get something done as well. We need to figure out if we should drive to Whitehorse to a dentist, or send him to Juneau. Hub asked about the ferry fare and I told him it would be cheaper to fly because ferry would likely mean he would need to spend a night or two in Juneau before he could catch a ferry back.... I'm going to check out air fares, I think I got a flyer from JoA at Alaska Seaplanes that they were having a $115 round trip special if you buy tickets before September 30 to be used anytime in the next year.

Then just figure out how we are going to pay the dentist. I will check with madame to see if he takes payments...I have seen statements come in the mail from him for them but never opened them---personal mail. So either they can make payments or that is a statement of what is owed after their insurance pays....

Please pray that we have the resources to get this done and not set ourselves too far behind for the winter. The good blessing is that the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend check amount was announced Wednesday and it is $900. homeowners insurance went up, we just got that bill and if I remember correctly, car insurance is due in October too.

Enough, I am confident that whatever happens is the best for us. The Universe plans much better for us than we do.

Blessed be!