Today one of my favorite patients has passed away. Danny has been my patient for 10 years . I was very fond of him and have written about him several times in the past. He suffered from Squamous Cell Carcinoma around his head and ears, and parts of his extremities. The cancer had gotten much worse in the last few weeks and was encroaching on his eye. It became infected and pus drained down his face, irritating his cornea and causing his eye to swell shut. He stopped eating today and Miss Beth knew it was time. She couldn’t let her Danny Boy suffer. Miss Beth held Danny in her arms on the back porch, while I gave the injections to ease his pain. A couple of the neighbors who loved Danny came by to offer their support.
Here is the grave Beth dug for Danny in one of his favorite spots
We buried him with toys and cans of food
Miss Beth placed a beautiful plant on the grave right next to Danny’s old friend Rooster. We all cried and shared our fondest memories of Danny.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Stacy,
Thank you for being there for Danny Boy . Remember the first day you came to house and I informed you” you need a blow-dart to inject him.” It seems like yesterday though was 10 yrs ago. He would hardly let me touch him, not like the bed pillow lover he became. And the whistle he grew accustomed to replying to. A little after you and rest of company left his cat friends returned and sat looking at the new plant. Yes, they knew. They too had lost a great loyal friend. He shall be missed by ALL.
Oh, Beth, I’m so sorry for your loss of Danny Boy!! I saw you today at the market and then in a flash you were gone. Had I known about your recent loss I would have followed you and given you a great big hug. You are such a great cat Mom and I know that Danny had a wonderful life with you. Blessings to all.
Thank you Carla for the thoughts. I too saw you but you were in conversation with others. This morning Dann’s 3 friends, Adolph, Pretty Little Kitty, and Snake were sitting about his site and looking. Still he is greatly missed….
I did not know Danny nor his mother, Beth, but I started crying when I read this. I, too, had to make the decision in early April this year when my beloved cat, Bitsy, suffered from Feline Lukemia and endured a blood transfusion with multiple followups of bloodwork. I received the Rainbow Bridge and want to believe in my heart Bitsy is waiting for me. They are our family and we love them unconditionally as they love us back. It will take time, maybe years, but it gets easier.