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
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.
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Spirit is doing okay at the moment, and has her good days/bad days.
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It’s so hard when they get old. *sigh*
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Heartbreaking. So very sorry for all the people who return home without their pets.
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It was heartbreaking to see. I felt for the boy, likely it was his pet, friend, playmate – losing that is never easy.
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Sad, especially for the boy who probably grew up with this pet.
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😦
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it was a sad moment.
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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.
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Spirit is still going, but her health is declining.
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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.
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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.
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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! 🙂
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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.
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So touching, Andrew. We pet people have been through this so many times…yet our little creatures make it worth doing again. Carol
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Again and again, I invite the little critters into my home and heat.
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Oh we all know that feeling and it gets harder with each one.
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It does, doesn’t it.
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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. 🙂
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It is hard to lose loved pet and sudden loss is harder.
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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.
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That is true – we often don’t understand how deep they are in our hearts.
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Been there, walking out alone, with my wonderful dog. Excellent poem, Andrew.
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It’s sad to loss a pet – never easy.
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Very touching, Andrew.
Ω
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Thank you.
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That’s very good, very poignant. Thanks for sharing it with us.
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It’s been in my mind all week, it needed to be shared.
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Losing a pet is heartbreaking. They’re so much a part of the family.
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They are apart of the family. Their loss can touch us deeply.
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When we chose to love, we accept the responsibility to mourn
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And so we should.
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