Not a banner day on the farm.
Scrunchy tested positive for both Feline Leukemia and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus. I knew this was eventually going to happen. We have too many strays around here to get lucky forever. There are no good decisions. None. You try to balance the needs of the cat and the needs of your other cats and the needs of all the other stray cats he might come in contact with as a free roamer as there is no way to bring him in the house or confine him for the rest of his life.
There are some rescues that can take infected cats, but they are already overcrowded and overworked. As all the rescues are. For cats, dogs, horses, pigs, rabbits... I'm sure the majority of blog readers are already well aware of this problem. We've all taken in strays and rescues and wondered why folks just couldn't be a little more responsible.
I'm not sure where we go when we die, but surely it's better than living in a cage. And hopefully you know that someone is sad to see you go.
Today also began the destruction of the old stripping room out by the big barn. This is the bigger of our two small outbuildings and had been moved here by a previous owner back in the 70's I believe. He stopped by one day to see the farm and told the story of balancing it on a tobacco wagon, pulling it over here from a nearby farm and resetting it all by himself. Quite a feat.
And while the building was still standing and very useful for parking tractors and miscellany, the foundation on one side had collapsed and we were told it would be cheaper to rebuild it than to repair it. As it came down in less than five minutes, it was probably a little dangerous as well.
Still, old buildings have character and history and I am a sap and sad to see it go as well. I'm just glad the project took a little longer than planned to get underway, as it gave all the baby birds plenty of time to grow up and move out of there over the last couple of weeks.
There is an email that frequently surfaces that features signs between two churches somewhere.
It starts as "All dogs go to heaven."
"Only humans go to heaven, read the bible."
"God loves all his creations, dogs included."
"Dogs don't have souls. This is not open for debate."
"[withheld] dogs go to heaven. [withheld] dogs can talk to their pastor."
"Converting to [withheld] does not magically grant your dog a soul."
"Free dog souls with conversion."
"Dogs are animals. There aren't any rocks in heaven either."
"All rocks go to heaven."
And cats.
And old barns.
Scrunchy tested positive for both Feline Leukemia and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus. I knew this was eventually going to happen. We have too many strays around here to get lucky forever. There are no good decisions. None. You try to balance the needs of the cat and the needs of your other cats and the needs of all the other stray cats he might come in contact with as a free roamer as there is no way to bring him in the house or confine him for the rest of his life.
There are some rescues that can take infected cats, but they are already overcrowded and overworked. As all the rescues are. For cats, dogs, horses, pigs, rabbits... I'm sure the majority of blog readers are already well aware of this problem. We've all taken in strays and rescues and wondered why folks just couldn't be a little more responsible.
I'm not sure where we go when we die, but surely it's better than living in a cage. And hopefully you know that someone is sad to see you go.
Today also began the destruction of the old stripping room out by the big barn. This is the bigger of our two small outbuildings and had been moved here by a previous owner back in the 70's I believe. He stopped by one day to see the farm and told the story of balancing it on a tobacco wagon, pulling it over here from a nearby farm and resetting it all by himself. Quite a feat.
And while the building was still standing and very useful for parking tractors and miscellany, the foundation on one side had collapsed and we were told it would be cheaper to rebuild it than to repair it. As it came down in less than five minutes, it was probably a little dangerous as well.
Still, old buildings have character and history and I am a sap and sad to see it go as well. I'm just glad the project took a little longer than planned to get underway, as it gave all the baby birds plenty of time to grow up and move out of there over the last couple of weeks.
There is an email that frequently surfaces that features signs between two churches somewhere.
It starts as "All dogs go to heaven."
"Only humans go to heaven, read the bible."
"God loves all his creations, dogs included."
"Dogs don't have souls. This is not open for debate."
"[withheld] dogs go to heaven. [withheld] dogs can talk to their pastor."
"Converting to [withheld] does not magically grant your dog a soul."
"Free dog souls with conversion."
"Dogs are animals. There aren't any rocks in heaven either."
"All rocks go to heaven."
And cats.
And old barns.
22 comments:
Ah,Sara. I'm so sorry. He was a beauty and you did him a great service by giving food and comfort his last little while here. Being the wife of a veterinarian, I've seen all too many positive fe-luk tests and know there are all too many pet owners out there who just don't have a clue. He was lucky to have come to a place where compassion rules the decisions for all. You did the best thing for him.
Sara, my condolences. Sweet kitty. Love goes a long way, my friend. Even into realms we cannot see or touch physically. Surely know that your cat will carry that love with him! And have a little Sunshine to greet him on the other side.
Sara,
You've had quite the spring, haven't you? I bet you have a headache from crying. I know where I'm going when I die, and I have a feeling I'll see lots of familiar faces when I get there. Have peace in your heart that you gave a lot of love-I remember Scrunch curled up on your lap-and that you made a good and noble decision. Take some Tylenol PM and go to bed.
Scrunch was very wise in chosing to come back to you. He knew you'd do the right thing.
Bless you
Now, I'm going to go cry....
You did the right thing. The only humane thing to do. Our Vet believes that in Heaven "we will have the desires of our heart", which means to me that my kitties will all be there. I lost an orange yard-kitty kitten today on the road, in the rain. Death is a part of life, but it never gets easier. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Thank you for being one of the strong souls who can care for strays, but who also can do the right thing when the time comes. Scrunch was one lucky kitty...
What a bummer of a day; I'm so sorry. Hugs across the miles....
sorry about Scrunchy. I'm an active member of our local Humane Society, so I understand your comments about rescues. We stay overrun with cats, and adoptions are few.
So sorry.
I just read an article in Guideposts that confirmed what I know in my heart. That animals will be in heaven with us. They backed it up with scripture, and while it doesn't explicitly say that, God's word surely has many implications to this. I know I'll see all of my beloved pets in heaven, and you will, too...
Sara, dear, you have had to endure yet another sorrow in losing the newest member of your farm family. I am so sorry . The decision making process must be grueling. Reflecting on your goodness and kindness towards him will help carry you through the many thoughts that run through your head. Punkin, Boo and Sunshine will watch over him now.
Sara, so sorry to hear about Scrunchy. He looked like such a sweetie. Glad you took him to the vet right away to protect your other cherished animals.
Scrunchy was a very sweet cat. It's funny how they can go from being "wild" to so loving and friendly. He would follow me around by walking along the top of the fence. If I stopped to talk to him or better yet pet him, he'd get so excited that he'd try to turn himself upside down on a fence post and nearly fall. Every time. I'm going to miss that.
So sorry to hear of the hard decision you had to make for Scrunchy. Breaks my heart for you all. Take care, you did what you had to do, but I know that doesn't make it any easier.
Tammy
I'm so sorry about Scrunchy - over the years I've lost many beloved pets and had to make some hard decisions. It's never easy. But, like our human friends and family, our pets live on in our memories. I love the idea of the Rainbow Bridge, where they wait for us to arrive when it's our time to go!
2 years ago we spent Mom's final day with her at the hospital. She was 101.5 yrs old, very much a normal, alert woman - her heart was just worn out. She told some funny tales that day but one thing I remember most of all - when asked whether she expected to see my Dad or her first husband on the other side when she arrived, she thought about it a moment, then said, "I think I'll see Gyp first!" Gyp was the dog she had as a young girl 90 years earlier!!!
Nancy in Atlanta
I'm sorry again Sara. Life is hard sometimes. Yesterday was a hard day for us too. Last fall we rescued a small poodle off of FreeCycle. Jasper. He was very cute and enduring and he was a bitter. We tried everything. Eight weeks of dog training classes. A thorough vet check, Prozac, advice from numerous dog folks, numerous attempts to locate a poodle person that would know how to handle him. He nipped two older folks in Jaci's apartment and brought blood. He has bitten all of us and Jaci's hand took a few weeks to heal. He also suffered from severe separation anxiety. We had him put down yesterday. We felt it was the kindest. Someone got mad at us and advised we should have put him back on FreeCycle and allowed him an opportunity to live. We didn't think that was a good option. Sometimes.....there are things worse than death I believe. :(
Yes, an awful day for both of us.
About five minutes after your post a tiny Scrunchy looking kitten showed up in our carport here in Texas.
Since I lost Teddy Bird yesterday, Farmer Rick did not bat an eye when I hauled out little dishes of food for this wild being.
So I'm thinking perhaps he's reincarnated.
We take in strays, we take in everything. And by gum I feel good about that. My old pooch is still here thank god and even though the vet said put him down, my wife said, I will treat him as long as it takes and she hand watered the old soul for 30 days and nights and he had moocho treatment that cost a whole lot but he is still here and now it is two years. We have nine others and three dogs. And you know what, I feel pretty damn good about myself.
we lost a couple on the way, Poor sweet Angel, Blacky... And I still hate it ---- I just hope someone takes me in when I am old and broken. That's the way I think things should be... so I guess it is my job to make it that way. PS. Your stupid story made me cry... darn darn. Where is that stinking pooch of mine anyway? He is never around when I need him....
I am so sorry about Scrunchy and the shed. One of my co-workers is home with his dog right now. The dog has cancer that has mestastacized and had trouble with his leg last night. Gin has seen his master through a lot of grief. Loosing sucks. Thank you for making the responsable decision. I know it must have been hard.
I am certain that cats and barns and people are all from the same source and we will all wind up in the same place when life ends for us. And I am certain that your love of Scrunchy made his transition easier.
Leah
Sending you hugs and support. Farm ethics stink sometimes. :(
I completely understand where you're coming from - we have our (un)fair share of dumped/feral/stray cats and we try to do right by them as well, picking up where irresponsible owners left off...
How fortunate you did not let your sad feelings stand in the way of doing the right thing for him. I know it was hard and it hurt but in your heart you know it was the RIGHT thing - and that's probably, somehow, why he was brought to you... and your sharing served a good purpose for others who felt able to unburden themselves of their sad stories in your comments.
I will be sad when our old barns must be taken down, which will probably be in the not too distant future...
May you have a weekend of peace and beauty.
I'm very very sorry to hear of your kitty dilemma. I too have been concerned about this issue with my "Tom" and "Tigger" outside. Last month a stray was tested positive for FIV Lek. so we now have it in the area. I am worried. I'm too afraid to have Tom tested but I know I should... after all we've been through.
My heart goes out to you over this issue.
You are just the most amazing person. Thank you for caring for all creatures great and small. Sometimes death is better than a long drawn out life.
And I believe there is more than here, that we can't see or touch but still real. I plan on seeing all the animals I have ever loved and even my people when I pass over. I am determined to do so, therefore I will.
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/
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