After the lab report from our vet, it became clear that it would require next to a miracle to end Teddy's declining health. At first we had thought that Teddy had begun to lose weight because he was getting a bit more excercise walking up and down the stairs, but eventually it became clear that something else was going on. By the time we contacted the vet, we weren't sure for how long Teddy hadn't been eating or drinking at all.
The lab results were devastating. All indicators, way beyond several deviations from the normal, suggested that Teddy was suffering from kidney failure, a typical ailment among small pets I believe. As suggested by the vet, Dave brought Teddy over to the emergency clinic for intense IV. Unfortunately the first 24 hours had no effect on his wellbeing, and in course of the following 24 hours Teddy had a seizure. It was a tough decision to make, but it was clear that there would be nothing but suffering ahead for poor Teddy, so we requested him to be put to sleep.As I'm writing this, I still can't help welling up. We made use of one more opportunity to be with Teddy. We petted him a lot and took lots of pictures, but it was clear that Teddy was in a lot of discomfort; the IV tube hanging from his left paw probably didn't add to his benefit.
Needless to say, Dave and I wept unashamedly while we watched Teddy explore the room we were in. Ten years of good times as well as bad were about to become precious memories... In the end, it felt really painful to say, "Goodbye, Primogenito."
In memory of Teddy, here's a poem in Finnish I found on the Internet (originally in Swedish?) ; underneath it is my prose-y translation in English:
KISSAN HAUTAJAISISSA
Luona pikku ruumiin me seisomme,
ei nouse tuosta enää konsaan se.
Sun kehruutas koskaan ei kuulla saa,
ei nähdä miten luomes vilkahtaa.
Kissavainaamme, kiitos, pikkuinen,
joka päivästä, yöstä saat kiitoksen,
jotka saimme sun kanssasi elellä
ja sua rakkaasti hellien hyväillä.
Sinä lohtua meidän käsillämme toit.
Sinä monena äänenä meissä soit.
Mau, sähäys ja kynnen välkähdys-
mitä kertoikaan häntäsi pyyhkäys.
Olit itsenäinen sä aina vaan,
mitä ikinä kävitkin luuraamaan.
Sinä vapaa olit, taas orjia me
kunnes hautaan viimein vaivumme.
Vailla unia sä nuku, ja maaksi jää.
Meitä pöydässä ikävä räydyttää.
Mutta muistos on talossa ainiaan.
Se ei tunnu kylmältä milloinkaan.
-Lars Huldén-Suom. Satu Marttila
AT A CAT’S FUNERAL
AT A CAT’S FUNERAL
We now stand gathered next to your tiny body
Ne’er shall it move again;
Your purring won’t be heard any more
nor how your eye bats will be seen
Our dearly beloved, lifeless kitty cat,
We thank you for every night and day
That we got to share with you
And pet you with tender love and care.
You brought us comfort by means of our hands
Our dearly beloved, lifeless kitty cat,
We thank you for every night and day
That we got to share with you
And pet you with tender love and care.
You brought us comfort by means of our hands
You rang many chords within us
With a meow, a hiss and a flash of a claw
Or whatever that flick of your tail ever meant.
With a meow, a hiss and a flash of a claw
Or whatever that flick of your tail ever meant.
Forever you maintained your independence
Whatever you set your mind on
You were free while we mere slaves were
Until we all in a grave in peace shall rest.
Sleep your dreamless slumber and dust become
While the pain of missing you consumes us
But your memory shall always remain in the house forever:
Ne’er shall it feel cold ever more.
May you, Teddy, rest in peace in a place where nobody ever steps on his tail or picks you up without your concent :-)
