It's been a week.
This time 7 days ago, we were taking Socks to the vet. Deep down, we knew it was probably the last time but there's always hope. Sadly, it was not to be.
Since then we've been reflecting. Mostly sharing stories. Trying to understand the confusion of her loss. Trying to overcome any personal sense of guilt and digging deep into those horrible, inevitable "if only we'd done this we'd still have her" questions.
Some things we've realised.
She had an incredibly peaceful transition. You hear stories of the animals being scared and howling and scratching.
There was none of that for Socks. She was ready. Truthfully, I think she was even asking us to let her go. It was her time and she accepted it with grace.
She never had any real decline. She kept her beautiful looks right to the end. Her fur was immaculate. She had no scratches. Eczema. Bites. Fleas etc.
She was in great condition to the end. I'm really pleased for her. She was always a gorgeous cat and the thought of her final weeks/months treating her with creams and medicines and cones-of-shame would now be unbearable.
She was spared all of that.
She was surrounded by the people she loved the most. And who loved her equally as much.
The timing of this, in fact, is impeccable. She stayed on for Emily's birthday. So she was there for all of our "big days". We were all on holiday. so she got a lot of attention in her final weeks. And a week later, none of the kids nor my wife would have even been here to be with her., for they would all be on their trip to the West Coast.
The thought of that fills me so much gratitude. Having to call the family and co-ordinate their return from 6 hours away. Boy, thank you Socks. You made it so easy for us.
And in the last week I've felt a personal change. The body-blow of immense trauma really makes you act differently. I've been more patient. Less teasy. More wanting company and accepting of others.
I've noticed a few hard edges return, just general taking the piss with the kids, and while thats familiar to them, I don't actually like it.
I realise that now. And it's all thanks to Socks.
Exactly this time 1 week ago, 13:46, the vet was inspection her, specifically listening to her heart. Exactly 1 week ago, we knew it was the end.
We said our goodbyes sometime around 14:13.
And it's been the most difficult week of my life. As mentioned before, grief is a new experience for me. I fully recognise the process that grief forces on you, and 1 week later, I can feel I'm closer to the end of that process than the beginning.
And because of that process, I feel positively changed.
Thank you Socks. x
This time 7 days ago, we were taking Socks to the vet. Deep down, we knew it was probably the last time but there's always hope. Sadly, it was not to be.
Since then we've been reflecting. Mostly sharing stories. Trying to understand the confusion of her loss. Trying to overcome any personal sense of guilt and digging deep into those horrible, inevitable "if only we'd done this we'd still have her" questions.
Some things we've realised.
She had an incredibly peaceful transition. You hear stories of the animals being scared and howling and scratching.
There was none of that for Socks. She was ready. Truthfully, I think she was even asking us to let her go. It was her time and she accepted it with grace.
She never had any real decline. She kept her beautiful looks right to the end. Her fur was immaculate. She had no scratches. Eczema. Bites. Fleas etc.
She was in great condition to the end. I'm really pleased for her. She was always a gorgeous cat and the thought of her final weeks/months treating her with creams and medicines and cones-of-shame would now be unbearable.
She was spared all of that.
She was surrounded by the people she loved the most. And who loved her equally as much.
The timing of this, in fact, is impeccable. She stayed on for Emily's birthday. So she was there for all of our "big days". We were all on holiday. so she got a lot of attention in her final weeks. And a week later, none of the kids nor my wife would have even been here to be with her., for they would all be on their trip to the West Coast.
The thought of that fills me so much gratitude. Having to call the family and co-ordinate their return from 6 hours away. Boy, thank you Socks. You made it so easy for us.
And in the last week I've felt a personal change. The body-blow of immense trauma really makes you act differently. I've been more patient. Less teasy. More wanting company and accepting of others.
I've noticed a few hard edges return, just general taking the piss with the kids, and while thats familiar to them, I don't actually like it.
I realise that now. And it's all thanks to Socks.
Exactly this time 1 week ago, 13:46, the vet was inspection her, specifically listening to her heart. Exactly 1 week ago, we knew it was the end.
We said our goodbyes sometime around 14:13.
And it's been the most difficult week of my life. As mentioned before, grief is a new experience for me. I fully recognise the process that grief forces on you, and 1 week later, I can feel I'm closer to the end of that process than the beginning.
And because of that process, I feel positively changed.
Thank you Socks. x