Farewell to My Furry Friend

Today, my guest writer, Brande, will do my "BSC Sundays" post. I was off yesterday. Today is one of those things for those of us that love our pets go through. As I get ready to leave for "the store" here in the next hour or so, I'm also getting ready to say my last good-bye to Leonard. It is never easy to make the decision that it is time to say good-bye when our furry friends are old and not doing too well. But, unlike with people, we have that option with our pets. Leonard is just old and worn out, actually as old as dirt! Lately he has begun to show his age. He went from jumping on my desk from the floor, to jumping to a foot stool next to my desk, to a few days ago a pillow on the floor next to me. For those of you that I have cats, you know the look in their eyes as their bodies begin to fail. They are telling you it's time to let them go.I'm guessing Leonard is around 20 years old in people life. He showed up right after my divorce from Mr.Wonderful. I always said I got the better deal on that one! He was old when he magically became our new cat. He was a tomcat through and through. Pieces of his ear missing, always looking for a fight, and leaving me wonderful gifts on my doormat such as dead rats, birds, and such. When I sold the "not so wonderful" house, and moved to my current home, Leonard came with me. Everyone knew Leonard and they would stop and greet him on their walks. He would stand head to head with any dog without fear. And I'm sure Brande will never forget the cat fight she broke up one early morning. She knew better than to try and break up Leonard in the middle of a fight and made a trip to Urgent Care immediately after the fight. Leonard was fine, Brande not so fine.Not long after that, retirement made Leonard a house cat, and he adjusted to that life very easily. What he liked best, or at least most of the time was his buddy, Riley. These pictures of Riley & Leonard were taken a couple of years ago. When Riley started talking more, she would call Leonard her "little buddy". Riley could do just about anything to him and he would allow it. I think there were only a handful of times that he nipped at her. And she would cry and cry! Not so much because it hurt, but because her feelings were hurt that her little buddy was mad at her.Riley and Leonard truly have shared a love affair. And because of that, when she comes over tomorrow to stay with me for the day, if she asks where her little buddy is, I'm going to tell her that he went to live with my sister. I could never break her little heart and see her heartbroken. So, Gramma is telling a big, fat white lie! You know, some of our pets we always remember, they always hold a special place in our hearts. As I get ready to say my final good-bye to Leonard in a little bit, I think he knows that he will always remain on the top of my favorite cats list. I'll miss you "little buddy"! And "thank you" Bryce for taking Leonard to the Vet this morning, I couldn't do it this time!

***Breaking update: Leonard is back from the dead!!!! Sue is at Country Roads working, and I called to get the 'morning updates' (ie: did the store flood from the rain last night? Is the roof leaking? Is the garden blown to pieces? Did Bryce take Leonard on his final car trip?) and she wanted me to share the news that Leonard was taken to the vet this am for his 'goodbye', and the vet informed Bryce that he 'probably just needs a shot and some medicine'. Bryce called to share this news - a fight ensued when Sue asked 'did you take him to the right vet???' - and yes, it was our friendly vet who knows when the time is up, and apparently, despite his old age, he is convinced that Leonard in fact has more time left. To her defense, my mom was not trying to put the cat down unnecessarily, he kinda looks like death warmed over, but the mighty Leonard has risen! Stay tuned for more updates....
-Brande