In mourning of the passing of my dear little rascal
I remembered, I picked him up at the SCPA and decided to adopt him. For the very first time, I felt involuntarily and with no unconscious effort, suddenly a bond started. Despite the thrill of acquiring him from the SCPA, though, my imagination of years ahead was sort of making me feel uncomfortable, I had these thoughts in my head that “I hope this little rascal lives a long time”, well just my typical thought. I can’t help hearing that inner voice whispering to me like “if someday this little white kitten will be old and unhealthy, what am I gonna do?”.
Nevertheless, that time inevitably does come. I have always wondered however against those pet owners who simply drop off their pet for euthanasia with no more respect or empathy than a robot. I didn’t understand that at all but I have no choice but to put Ginger to sleep in a very painless & respectful manner. I called the SPCA yesterday and was advised that Euthanasia is the only way to stop the poor cat’s discomfort. I know it was a tough call and I was shocked on what to do in this kind of crisis. I just felt I wouldn’t want to see him during the time of euthanasia for the reason that I could not see myself being separated from his final moments. I had these feelings that I am abandoning him at a crucial time that created a certain sense of guilt for me and I think that simply will not go away very easily. Seriously, I am not comfortable with death, especially during the time when I faced deaths every day while I was working in a hospital.
The next morning, I hired someone to help me pick him up for the SCPA but I saw him lying in the kitchen floor where he usually like to stay for a nap. I clapped my hands as if calling to wake him up but he only responded with a little meow. It wasn’t a scared in pain meow, it sounded as if like a goodbye one. Few minutes later, he passed away.
I felt so sad. He was a part of the family, and I love him so much. I had him for almost 6 years but he was very sick for the last couple of weeks. He couldn’t eat, he couldn’t stand up and he was just lying down without a thought what went wrong. The entire time, he was meowing for help, but I couldn’t do anything how to comfort him. I was about to take him to the vet, but I was told that his disease was not incurable and will gradually get worse. I was even so scared, he wouldn’t stop meowing. I have found out that he has a kidney disease. The most noticeable symptom I have seen was he’d “drink-a-lot, pee-a-lot”. In my knowledge, kidney failure is the most common cause of death in older cats. He loves an all-dry-food. It was also said that dry food was one of the reasons why it caused him dehydrated. He lost a lot of weight, he kept on vomiting, had no appetite to play around and just seriously very weak.
Let me be very clear about something, I think it is perfectly normal and acceptable to cry, because I felt it. I grieve over the death of a pet. This reaction is only natural, the feelings toward pets are so special that experts have a term for the relationship: the human-companion animal bond. When this bond is severed, the sense of loss can be overwhelming. I have often wondered why some people don’t cry. This can be a very sad time when inside I feel terrible. I’ve already felt this grief a few weeks ago and at the same time thinking of the death itself may actually bring about an initial feeling of relief. This is particularly the case when he was not really feeling well and I had a warning that Ginger may likely going to suffer or die from difficult illness.
Surprisingly, I was advised by the SPCA to call the Pet’s Cremation for them to pick up the remains. I asked, a pet cremation? I am pleased. I had no idea that there’s a facility here for animals to be cremated in such a unique service. The cremator-dude came an hour later and wrapped ginger in a plastic bag and put him on a bag. He said, “he is now at peace, my condolences to you”.
I was also asked if I wanted his ashes to be returned to me in a small marble canister after the cremation, but I declined. I realized, many pet’s in our society got improper handling of their remains, mostly they have no choice but throw the beloved pets to somewhere else, likely in a rubbish bin. Will you be pleased to treat your beloved pets as rubbish? At least when a pet dies in Hong Kong, there is a ritual to formalize the grief.
Still, the loss of a pet affects our emotions, and all the more so if the pet was an integral part of the family. I am sure I’m gonna miss him. Am I that seriouly cruel for doing it to him? Do I need to feel guilty? If that happens to your pet, what would you do and feel? Does Animal Euthanasia is really immoral? Maybe this is a big wake-up call for me. I should start taking care of my health now.
Meanwhile, kindly read some of my previous posts related to Ginger. I know most of these posts were written jokingly in a slight “cruel” manner, but it was all for the sake of having him as an adorable cat. He may not be as smart as every other cat out there, he definately made me smile everytime I’m home seeing him asleep on the couch.
Look Guys, No Hands
Moving On
How To Wash A Cat
On the news: A killer on the loose
If the cat meows
[odeo=http://odeo.com/audio/2087493/view]
Download: You Won’t See Me Crying (*right-click, save link as)
by: The Passage
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[...] (small and invisible flakes of animal skin), fur, saliva, or even the cats’ urine. Thanks God, my not-so-furry dead cat ginger is now enjoying his time with fellow kittens sneezing around Cat’s backyard [...]
[...] Even on a hot afternoon, as a requirement on my day off, I went off to visit Stanley Market, the small village commonly known as the fishing village in the southernmost part of Hong Kong Island to sample a delight at the al fresco restaurants on the waterfront, when I caught this little jewel sitting by the rock near the shore. I’ve been thinking about adopting another cat, I’d say I would like to get an older one instead of starting out with a kitty. At least I will now have another “playmate”. I still miss my Ginger. [...]
Sorry to hear about your Ginger, my dog, Teddy passed away last Monday, and I had him over 11 years, sad is how I’m feeling…everywhere I looked, he’s not there, what I remember the most about him was his friendly smile, yes dog can smile.
Here I am, with a name Ginger, its stupid how I picked this name, I was trying to outdo this guy at Laoplanet.net when I started to write there, whom also changed his name, I didn’t realize that I would get stuck with it, but it’s grown on me now.
I was shocked upon seeing him dead on the floor the next day. You know when someone dies, I’d start to wonder if the other people in your life will also die soon. And you ask, “Will my mom or dad die?” or “Will I die?” So I thought sharing this thing would be better off to feel good about my feelings too. It may be difficult - maybe even a little painful, if you know what I mean. Thanks, rho.
i’m sorry about your loss…Ginger is now in a better place. At least you didn’t have to go through the process of putting him down.
Hi Brennie, I kind of feel it was all my fault. Well all living things dies. It may be the hardest thing of all to understand. I guess the best way to do is accept death as a fact of life. It happens, and we can’t do anything to change that, right?
I’m sorry for your loss, K, but I’m sure Ginger is in a better place now. You did the right thing. Personally I feel euthanasia is fine, because I really wouldn’t want my poor pet to suffer. *hug*
Gosh. You made me realize that I haven’t seen my Skye in quite a while. I think a visit to Wazir’s is due.
“when you’re ready to move on, why not get another cat?”
Masyadong seryoso ba? It turned out like a prank joke when I informed my friends and family thru text about the loss. I was like, “what they were thinking?”. Kung baga, “sus, hayup lang yan”. Mga hayup na yun.
there, there K. surely ginger is up there in kitty heaven
agree with Joy — when you’re ready to move on, why not get another cat? or a dog. it will help you feel better :))
Yup I was surprised too. What surprised is the prompt service without any inconvenience., well of course, I did pay for the cremations and stuff. It’s all about business here tho. No dogs for me Charles.
Sad to hear about that. Oh it is nice that you SPCA there. I dunno if they have it here coz I also wanted to adopt a dog or something
Hahaha JOY, the name speaks for itself. I do love corny jokes, kababawan cuz that makes you laugh without trying too hard. Life is corny diba? Salamat for the comfort and for your visit. Trade links?
oh dear oh dear *gives you a bear hug*
it’s alright to cry, K. Our eyes are not only meant for seeing!
It was the best decision you had made for Ginger and for yourself. Stop feeling guilty. And why not adopt a new cat? You can name it Bred… for Ginger Bred. I know, I’m soo corny. I just want you to smile a bit. Cheer up!
I’m not going to adopt another one at the moment, J. It’s not always easy to make decisions, perhaps sooner or later, I’ll adopt an Iguana.
i’m sorry to hear about ginger. atleast he died when and where he wanted to, and you didn’t have to go through putting him down. .. so, going to go back to the SPCA for a junior ginger?
I haven’t checked yet - let you know if I can access my Multiply during the weekends. I have dozens of song requests from people - I will be updating more songs. Thanks.
I uploaded a song on Multiply just for you.I sent you an invite there.
The name of the song is ” I’ve got a cat”.
I think he’d be in HELL Consuela considering he was such a bad cat. Kidding.
omigosh…
cheer up K!! *hugs*
I had no idea Ginger was sick…at least now she’s at peace and in kitty heaven
I can handle it, Carol. I just thought I’d share it a bit so Ginger would pretty much feel better wherever he is right now.. (I bet he’s having a fight with someone “out there” on his food again).
Yes K,we’ll all leave this world probably to a better and more quiet one,but till then we are here….so enjoy it to the maximum.Get the best or the most comfortable out of it.
Don’t let the sadness take over you. I know on my own skin what sadness can do to a person,even if is just a little bit.
Not just cats really, even the hamsters and guinea pigs has a place to rest. I’m thinking, in case I die, I want my body to be cremated tapos I want it to be scattered in my Island province. O diba superstar?
GWARK! Siopao? Eh paborito ko pa naman yan. WAG KA!
That was shocking news.
I didn’t know HK has all these facilities for pet cats. Quite impressive.
at least you know that they don’t make them into siopao!—> just kidding, K!
That’s a very positive and honest thoughts really. I think dying is the thing I can’t handle myself. It isn’t the way life should be, but lets face it, we all gonna die and we don’t know when, so be it.
Thanks Carol, I’m feeling a good relief.
K,i want you to laugh.You cat wants you to laugh.Your friends want you to laugh.
I am really sorry about Ginger.I know that she was your friend and let me say this: If she could blog about you …i am sure she would have a lot to say.
She probably had a very happy life with you there and when the times is there,there’s nothing one can do.
You can hunt me down now.
I have been quiet about his illness lately so I hadn’t really shared it with you here. The way I see it, he was suffering from the illness the day I adopted him, I was not told about it, so I took good care of him but I only found out when he refused eating the dry foods. I bought dozens of can (wet) foods and wasted it because he has no appetite. I fed him with fresh milks, etc. I seek advice from the vet and they said, cats sometimes act that way. I didn’t know what to expect. I am sad here too. I could no longer hear the meow whenever I open my door, the flat doesn’t smell like a poop (which is good I suppose) anymore and that I had no more litterbox to clean. You know those routines, it’s “missable”.
Well… at least HE (correction: not a SHE) made us all laughed in this blog somehow and you guys laugh at him too, so that’s a consolation that he’ll always be remembered. I hope He goes to Heaven, wherever it may be.
K, I was totally in shock when i read the heading. Poor Ginger. Since it was her time to go, you just had to let go… so don’t need to feel guilty about it. Sheesh, i feel sad.. i don’t know why… ginger… sigh.
Cheer up K.
Silly! So you mean I’mma real cat killer? Can I hunt you down and kill you instead? Man, I should be mourning here and now you’re making me laugh.
“”"I remembered, I picked him up at the SCPA and decided to adopt him….. just so i can hunt him with the knife when i am bored.”"”
Lol!
I had to say that.