Supplies

Posted on 11/05/2017 by Andrew Reynolds

Supplies

Spirit Kitty is seventeen.
Her occupation is chasing sunny spots
to warm her arthritic bones.
Her once shiny sable coat now is sparse
over her fragile frame.

My workday done, the car turns towards
the vet’s office,
and medications to bring sunshine
to Spirit’s failing body.

Cats caged, dogs leashed, people wait.
Comfort exchanged, fear acknowledged,
person and pet wait for the call at the open door.
At the desk, I laugh with the assistant,
exchange humor, and receive the bag.

A door opens.
A boy walks out hugging a half empty bag of dog food.
A women follows, wiping tears.
Last out, a man holding a leash and empty collar.

Silence falls as the solemn procession
walks through the door

Just a poem for today.  Till next time,
Andrew

About Andrew Reynolds

Born in California Did the school thing studying electronics, computers, release engineering and literary criticism. I worked in the high tech world doing software release engineering and am now retired. Then I got prostate cancer. Now I am a blogger and work in my wood shop doing scroll saw work and marquetry.
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32 Responses to Supplies

  1. Diane Henders says:
    11/22/2017 at 6:15 pm

    So sad – you’ve captured the moment perfectly. I’ve been there, done that; and it doesn’t get any easier the next time around. I hope Spirit Kitty stays healthy and happy for a good while longer.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. inesephoto says:
    11/18/2017 at 2:06 pm

    Heartbreaking. So very sorry for all the people who return home without their pets.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. pommepal says:
    11/09/2017 at 11:04 pm

    So sad. It is an acceptance that comes with difficulty when loving a pet, their life span is so short. May Spirit Kitty stay with you for a few years more.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Chris White says:
    11/08/2017 at 10:42 am

    Oh that’s pretty sad but beautifully expressed.
    We actually took our new kitten called Kitty (yes) to the vets only yesterday for a couple of injections and worm/flea treatment. She was not impressed. On our way out we met a woman with a dog. The dog was promptly sick on the carpet. The vet laughed and said … don’t worry. He’s just making room for the cat.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Andrew Reynolds says:
      11/08/2017 at 10:54 am

      I named my first cat “Kitty” because at first my mom didn’t want me to keep a stray, but by the time I talked her into letting me keep her, the cat wouldn’t respond to any other name.

      Like

  6. Debra says:
    11/07/2017 at 7:26 pm

    Trips to the vet can be fearful and sad or hopeful and helpful. We’ve been on both ends before, sadly. Your words capture the experience perfectly. I hope Spirit Kitty is doing well today. Our Licorice lived to 23. He became something of a legend! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    • Andrew Reynolds says:
      11/07/2017 at 7:48 pm

      Spirit Kitty is doing well for her age. She had a checkup yesterday and the vet said her current meds are doing their job. I’ve lost a few cats over the years, it never gets easier.

      Like

  7. Carol Dean Jones, Author, Quilting Cozy series says:
    11/06/2017 at 7:05 pm

    So touching, Andrew. We pet people have been through this so many times…yet our little creatures make it worth doing again. Carol

    Liked by 2 people

  8. Itching for Hitching says:
    11/06/2017 at 6:10 pm

    Oh we all know that feeling and it gets harder with each one.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Baydreamer says:
    11/06/2017 at 2:54 pm

    Touching poem, Andrew, and it’s so hard losing a pet. They become family. I can still vividly remember the day our black lab died 6 years ago. It was sudden, which made it harder. Now we have our chocolate lab, Copper, and although he’s not a replacement, he fills the void and knows he’s loved. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  10. C. J. Hartwell says:
    11/06/2017 at 1:52 pm

    I think people are often surprised how much a pet’s death affects them. That empty corner where they always slept or coming *thisclose* to buying treats before you remember they’re gone (I did that!) — every little thing is a reminder. You captured the moment beautifully.

    Liked by 2 people

  11. Jacqui Murray says:
    11/06/2017 at 7:40 am

    Been there, walking out alone, with my wonderful dog. Excellent poem, Andrew.

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Allan G. Smorra says:
    11/06/2017 at 6:01 am

    Very touching, Andrew.
    Ω

    Liked by 1 person

  13. jfwknifton says:
    11/06/2017 at 12:26 am

    That’s very good, very poignant. Thanks for sharing it with us.

    Liked by 1 person

  14. Carrie Rubin says:
    11/05/2017 at 6:38 pm

    Losing a pet is heartbreaking. They’re so much a part of the family.

    Liked by 2 people

  15. Ray V. says:
    11/05/2017 at 6:20 pm

    When we chose to love, we accept the responsibility to mourn

    Liked by 3 people

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