Good night, sweet lady.

[kyrielle]

Today, we took Basta into the vet; she was having weakness in her legs, but that could have been several things. They tried to treat that, and either she was already failing or she reacted to the treatment. Either way, she was barely breathing, barely had a heartbeat. So we had her euthanized, at about 12:30 pm. She'll be cremated, and returned to us; I plan to set her container near Mom and Dad's urns.

Dad loved this cat, I think. I know Mom loved this cat - Mom liked black cats, and admired her skill as a huntress when she was younger, and enjoyed petting her when she was older. And at the end, Basta sat at the foot of Mom's hospital bed while she was dying, and sometimes up next to her, and once Mom amused me greatly by gently twitching her foot sideways to jostle the cat. Basta looked up, her expression startled and confused...looked around...lay her head back down. And twitch, Mom got her again. After a couple tries, Basta just laid there and purred while she did it. And Dad said that the night after they removed the hospital bed, which was a day or two after Mom died, Basta went in there in the middle of the night, stood in the middle of the space where it had been, and yowled. So I truly think she missed my mother, and I hope that she's with her now. They'd both like that, I think.

Good night, Basta. Basta Ya, lady, that's enough.

Comments

[kayre]

I'm so sorry... I know you're grieving both for Basta and for a lost connection to your parents. You did well for Basta; I hope that's some comfort.

[kyrielle]

Thank you. And yes, it is. I knew we'd lose her, probably sooner rather than later, the first day we took her in. I was hoping we'd have longer than this, but I'm not entirely surprised we didn't, either. She purred a lot, even up to the day before her death; the first 4-6 months, before she got tired, she played a fair bit. So I am pretty confident she had a good life to nearly the very end. That does help. I wouldn't have wanted her to have longer at the price of suffering (not that that seemed really possible anyway).

[aellia.livejournal.com]

Sweet memory pictures of one so loved.
Fly high dear lady
Hugs to you

[kyrielle]

Thank you.

[cynnerth.livejournal.com]

(((I'm so sorry)))
You did a wonderful job taking care of sweet Basta, and made her feel loved and important in her last days.

[kyrielle]

Thank you.

[katbyte.livejournal.com]

I am so glad she had you until the last minute. You made her life better, and now she is pain free.

[kyrielle]

Thank you.

[mandydax.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry, Laura. She was a beautiful cat and a wonderful companion. Rest in peace, Basta. ;_;

[kyrielle]

Thank you.

[angelamermaid.livejournal.com]

You did right by Basta. *hugsz*

[kyrielle]

Thank you. *hugs*

[the_rck]

::hugs:: My sympathies.

[kyrielle]

Thank you. *hugs*

[solcita.livejournal.com]

I always wish I knew what to say at these times... 'I'm sorry' doesn't seem like enough.

[kyrielle]

I'm not sure there are ever good words, but just saying something helps. *hugs* Thank you. And the icon is so, so perfect.

[susandennis]

That's the most beautiful tribute I've ever read and seen. Thank you. I know well how hard it is. Take care of yourself.

[kyrielle]

Thank you. I wanted to give her a send-off like she deserved, so I really appreciate your comment.

[eevieivy.livejournal.com]

*HUGS* A very pretty kitty. I'm glad that your whole family enjoyed having her as part of it. Take care, and much love. *HUUUUGS*

[kyrielle]

*hugs* Thank you.

Deep sympathies

[jennywren129.livejournal.com]

*hugs* It is so hard. *cries*

Re: Deep sympathies

[kyrielle]

It is. Thank you. That icon is great.

[callibr8]

Awww.... so sorry that you have more sadness to endure. Basta was a loving and well-loved companion all of her days; you made her last ones the best they could be.

Farewell, kitty, and may you find your people on the other side of the rainbow bridge.

[kyrielle]

Thank you. We knew it was coming, not exactly when, but probably sooner than later. That doesn't make it easy, but I guess it does make it easier than if it were a complete shock. I hope she's with Mom and Dad now, and doing whatever the equivalent of chasing the birds through the trees would be, there.

[geordie.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry. All I can offer is condolences, it's so hard to lose a pet at any time, but when she was your parent's cat and so soon after losing them too.

(sorry, removed the last one for bad random avatar choice)

[kyrielle]

Thank you. It is hard, but...I honestly wondered when Mom died whether Basta would follow her within days, the cat was that attached to her. Instead she steadied and had eight more months. I like to think they were good ones, and I'm glad I could do well by her. I wish she'd had longer, but she had an amazingly long, good life for a cat. Not the longest I've heard of, but long.

[davmoo.livejournal.com]

That bites. But sometimes at the end, all you can do is help a faithful companion not suffer any more.

[kyrielle]

Sadly true. :(

[itgeek.livejournal.com]

What a beautiful, sweet kitty.

I'm very sorry. It's never easy.

[kyrielle]

Thank you.

[oneminutemonkey.livejournal.com]

I am so sorry to hear about Basta. My thoughts to you and her.

[kyrielle]

Thank you.

[jerusha.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry. Even when it's right, and best, it still hurts.

[kyrielle]

Thank you.

[nt.livejournal.com]

My condolences. Basta was a lovely cat. I remember your Dad posting about her.

[kyrielle]

Thank you.

[joyoflj.livejournal.com]

Oh Laura, what sad news. I am so sorry. Sorry for the lost connection, sorry for the loss of your beloved pet/friend. I know how it feels.

You are a good daughter and you did right by this cat and situation.

RIP, Basta.

[kyrielle]

Thank you.

R.I.P. Basta

[canyoncat.livejournal.com]

So sorry Laura, I hoped she was going to pull through this and survive a while longer. 21 is a long time for a cat though. I can't help but wonder how much longer Bandit has left but at least she seems stable for the time being.
*hugs*

Re: R.I.P. Basta

[kyrielle]

Thank you. I had hoped so too, but I knew that sooner or later I would still be hoping when I'd have to make that decision. I am glad that Bandit is still doing well. It is so hard when they are old - but they are also so precious. I miss Basta, I treasured her company while we had it.

Re: R.I.P. Basta

[canyoncat.livejournal.com]

Bandit can be quite annoying at times but I still don't want to see her go. She has always been a little on the strange side when it comes to personality but she is our baby and we'll hold on to her as long as we can.

[retsuko.livejournal.com]

I am so sorry to hear about your loss. When we put my dog down, it was really hard. She looks like a wonderful, sweet kitty. You're in my thoughts. *hugs*

[kyrielle]

Thank you. *hugs*