I'm so sorry to hear this. She looks like she could be part American Spitz; her eyes and coat are reminiscent of my childhood dog's. When I've lost or come close to losing pets in my adulthood -- I was shielded from the end as a child, perhaps to my detriment -- I repeated to myself, over and over, that euthanasia means "good death." I loved those little bundles so fiercely that I would, like a death god, arrange the time, place, and means -- all for their comfort. I'll have to do so again, probably sooner than I'd like, and I try to think of it as the last loving thing I can do.
What a strange gift the love of an animal is. May we all be so lucky to receive it, to outlive its time frame, and to eventually find the peace that lets us know the pain afterward could never outweigh all the joy.
As hard as it is for anyone to lose a kindred spirit companion, it’s extras for ppl with chronic illness that keeps us mostly at home and sometimes forgotten by the more active world. We are never too much for our furry loves, never not enough. To them we are just right and their very own.
Praying for a gentle time together for you all, however long it is, and that she would go peacefully in her sleep.
Sending so much love to you and C and of course Daphne. Please let us supporters know if you need DoorDash etc. to help you keep going. 🫂❤️🩹🙏🏻
yes yes yes, you totally understand. to be chronically ill and have a furry companion means that sometimes they’re the only one with you for long stretches of time.
Oh my heart, I'm so sorry to read this. I lost my senior kitty Miku in 2024, she also had a seemingly normal annual check up (just some early signs of manageable kidney disease) before taking a turn just a week later. I had 8 years with her, and she'd been on daily meds for roughly 6 of those years, so I'd always assumed my time with her would be limited but that didn't make it any easier to say goodbye. I hope your final time with Daphne is meaningful.
I'm so sorry, Esme. We lost two of our cats within 10 weeks last year- and am familiar with this particular kind of heart break. Here's to savoring your last moments with Daphne. My heart goes out to the three of you.
I am sympathetic toward what you're through. I've been there myself and have had to ready myself for losing my cat. Turns out a misdiagnosis saved her and she's now thriving 5 years after initial diagnosis. I don't want to dismiss the idea that we should find reasons for living. But since we have such an aversion to death in the West, I am a proponent for knowing when to let go. We still have a ways to go with our laws that make assisted dying possible for humans, but we can easily end the misery and suffering that animals go through at the last. And that is an extremely difficult decision to make on behalf of our beloved pets.
Oh, absolutely. We tell her that she should stay only as long as she still feels comfortable. Neither C or I want to see her suffer; she's more fatigued now, but as she worsens, we need to be ready to know when to let her go. (And I know many people who are or are studying to be death doulas, which is an interesting practice.)
Oh, so difficult to lose a much loved furry friend especially as a sick & disabled person. My heart goes out to you three. May you enjoy the time you have left together. Sending love your way. 💜💜💜💜
This is so beautiful, and I completely relate, as my sweet cat sits next to me dozing. I tell her she will live forever, too, because the alternative is too painful to live with on a day-to-day basis. I am so sorry to hear about your heartbreak. <3
Esmé, my heart ached reading this. My cavapoo, Kobi, has been for me what Daphne is for you and C, and even though he's only four, I sometimes think of the future goodbye with dread and anticipatory grief. I also tell him he's going to live forever, that he must, he must. Because how else can I bear life?
We're never ready to lose, never emotionally prepared enough. No matter how many losses you and I have been through, I think that will always be true.
I'm so sorry to hear this. She looks like she could be part American Spitz; her eyes and coat are reminiscent of my childhood dog's. When I've lost or come close to losing pets in my adulthood -- I was shielded from the end as a child, perhaps to my detriment -- I repeated to myself, over and over, that euthanasia means "good death." I loved those little bundles so fiercely that I would, like a death god, arrange the time, place, and means -- all for their comfort. I'll have to do so again, probably sooner than I'd like, and I try to think of it as the last loving thing I can do.
What a strange gift the love of an animal is. May we all be so lucky to receive it, to outlive its time frame, and to eventually find the peace that lets us know the pain afterward could never outweigh all the joy.
this is so moving. it’s hard, it’s hard, but I am so grateful that she even spent her precious time on earth with us.
I’m so sorry.
We’ve been there.
I understand.
As hard as it is for anyone to lose a kindred spirit companion, it’s extras for ppl with chronic illness that keeps us mostly at home and sometimes forgotten by the more active world. We are never too much for our furry loves, never not enough. To them we are just right and their very own.
Praying for a gentle time together for you all, however long it is, and that she would go peacefully in her sleep.
Sending so much love to you and C and of course Daphne. Please let us supporters know if you need DoorDash etc. to help you keep going. 🫂❤️🩹🙏🏻
yes yes yes, you totally understand. to be chronically ill and have a furry companion means that sometimes they’re the only one with you for long stretches of time.
Love to you all. I'm so glad you're capturing those moments to have later.
❤️
ahhhh it hurts. my little white dog is sending love to yours, and my love to you as well.
we send love right back
Oh my heart, I'm so sorry to read this. I lost my senior kitty Miku in 2024, she also had a seemingly normal annual check up (just some early signs of manageable kidney disease) before taking a turn just a week later. I had 8 years with her, and she'd been on daily meds for roughly 6 of those years, so I'd always assumed my time with her would be limited but that didn't make it any easier to say goodbye. I hope your final time with Daphne is meaningful.
Oh, I am so sorry about Miku and the swift decline. My heart goes out to you, & thank you for the kindness.
Esmé I’m so very sorry. It’s very hard to lose such a good friend. I hope the coming months have what you need to get through.
thank you so much, Bridget. that means a lot.
Oh, our hearts.
(heart-hug)
achey stuff, thank you for sharing. it helps us to prepare.. enjoy every tender moment. best to you three ❤️ ❤️❤️
thank you so much, thank you.
I'm so sorry, Esme. We lost two of our cats within 10 weeks last year- and am familiar with this particular kind of heart break. Here's to savoring your last moments with Daphne. My heart goes out to the three of you.
I"m so sorry about the loss of your cats. There's something very specific about animal companion love. & I know I'm lucky that we're still together.
I am sympathetic toward what you're through. I've been there myself and have had to ready myself for losing my cat. Turns out a misdiagnosis saved her and she's now thriving 5 years after initial diagnosis. I don't want to dismiss the idea that we should find reasons for living. But since we have such an aversion to death in the West, I am a proponent for knowing when to let go. We still have a ways to go with our laws that make assisted dying possible for humans, but we can easily end the misery and suffering that animals go through at the last. And that is an extremely difficult decision to make on behalf of our beloved pets.
Oh, absolutely. We tell her that she should stay only as long as she still feels comfortable. Neither C or I want to see her suffer; she's more fatigued now, but as she worsens, we need to be ready to know when to let her go. (And I know many people who are or are studying to be death doulas, which is an interesting practice.)
Oh, so difficult to lose a much loved furry friend especially as a sick & disabled person. My heart goes out to you three. May you enjoy the time you have left together. Sending love your way. 💜💜💜💜
oh, how i relate. thank you for sharing this story of that very tender love you share with Daphne and C.
i, too, have thought of it as the last loving thing we can do for them.
sending you all of the blessings and good this sunday eve.
This is so beautiful, and I completely relate, as my sweet cat sits next to me dozing. I tell her she will live forever, too, because the alternative is too painful to live with on a day-to-day basis. I am so sorry to hear about your heartbreak. <3
I am so sorry. There's nothing more to say. I am just so, so sorry. 💕
Sending you all prayers to help ease the physical and mental sufferings - my heart goes out to you all she is beautiful 💜
Esmé, my heart ached reading this. My cavapoo, Kobi, has been for me what Daphne is for you and C, and even though he's only four, I sometimes think of the future goodbye with dread and anticipatory grief. I also tell him he's going to live forever, that he must, he must. Because how else can I bear life?
We're never ready to lose, never emotionally prepared enough. No matter how many losses you and I have been through, I think that will always be true.
Love to you, always.