Farewell, Buddha

[the_gneech]

After this morning's apparent upswing, Buddha took a very sudden and catastrophic decline this afternoon around 3:30. We rushed him to Just Cats Clinic in Reston, where they determined that he was in an incredibly severe anemic condition. In short, for reasons unknown, his body was destroying its own red blood cells; his red cell count was so low that it did not even register as a percentage.

The only possibility of treatment was hospitalization and transfusions, with no real ability to know if it would even help in the short term, and a poor prognosis for recovery.

After a great deal of sober thought and discussion, we decided that it was time to let Buddha go. lythandra and I stayed with him, petting him gently and telling him what a good kitty he was, until the vet announced, "He's gone."

It has been my privilege and pleasure to be Buddha's human for almost exactly nine years– nine years that he would not have had if we had taken the advice given to us originally to put him to sleep merely for being FIV+.

I love you, Buddha, and I will miss you. Thank you for the time you gave us.

-The Gneech

Comments

[jamesbarrett.livejournal.com]

I think his life was even more enriched by the fact that you two bought that house in the first place, and recognized a sweet soul lost and alone and in need of help.

[exatron.livejournal.com]

You gave him many more years than he would have had without you. He was a good kitty, and it sounds like he died happy.

[nativefawx.livejournal.com]

The fact that you took him into your home and loved him with all of your heart shows what good souls you are.

I just hugged all three of our cats, one of whom is a Snowshoe we call Lover. They were all rescues. Lover is 3-4 years old, Tabby is 2-3 and Mac is soon to be 9 months old.

RIP Buddha

[pocket-entropy.livejournal.com]

oh no, Buddha.. I'm so sorry.. He had the best humans and the best life.

[galadrion.livejournal.com]

My sympathies - he seemed like such a sweetheart.

[softpaw.livejournal.com]

I remember when you got him. I am so sorry.

[kylet.livejournal.com]

Oh no! I saw the pretty kitty photo and thought it was just a breakfast update.

I'm terribly sorry for you both. *hugs* Wow, I never would've guessed it's been nine years, it doesn't seem like it...the time's just flown by, and I'm sure he was loved every moment of it.

[graveyardgreg.livejournal.com]

I thought so too when I saw the tweets, but I had a dreadful feeling when one tweet used 'was'.

[mooncat.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry.

[kevinjdog.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry. May this beautiful cat rest in peace.

[mehndix.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry for you loss. : (

[makovette.livejournal.com]

Aww man, sorry to learn of Buddah's passing. You all did wonderfully by him, and I know he enjoyed and appreciated the both of you.

Mako

[kestrelcat.livejournal.com]

I am sorry for your loss. He was obviously so happy and loving.

[c-eagle.livejournal.com]

....*consoling hughugs.........*

[huskyteer.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry. He was a a lovely cat; I always enjoyed reading about his adventures and it was always obvious how much he meant to you and Laurie. And the way he just turned up out of nowhere...can't tell me that wasn't meant to happen.

*hugs to you all*

[vik_thor]

so sorry to hear of your loss.

[graveyardgreg.livejournal.com]

I never met Buddha, but I loved him anyway.

[keross.livejournal.com]

I am very sorry to hear this.

Our Mickey suffered from IBS and thyroid disorder so I can relate to the struggle.

You gave him a good life, a better one than he might have in other places. When that day comes, he will greet you with a loving purr at the Rainbow Bridge.