Yoda was put to sleep last week Tuesday. Here is my eulogy for my dear, sweet boy:
It's with a heavy heart that I share with you that I helped Yoda cross
over to the rainbow fields this evening at about 6pm. He suddenly
became unresponsive and cold, refusing to eat and seemingly unaware of
where he was or who I was. At the vet's office we found he was more
than 10 degrees cooler than he should have been, though my apartment
was 77 and his heating pad was on high. His body was completely limp,
he wouldn't even hold up his head. He and I had agreed that he'd tell
me when it was time for him to go by not wanting to eat anymore, and
that time had come.
Yoda came to me almost exactly one year ago. He arrived to my
boyfriend's family's house in MN from Jennifer P. who got him from a
woman who knew someone in Iowa who didn't want him anymore. Said she
was going to graduate school and wasn't going to have time for him. He
was a sweetie right away, splatting out on Jennifer's lap the night he
spent with her.
He had many health problems and more than once over the last year I
thought I was losing him. Actually, I think I thought his passing was
eminent 4 times. He was a real come-back kid, though. He struggled
with blindness and balance issues that for the last 8 months had left
him unable to get around as good as he used to. This week he got stuck
on his back every night, poor guy, and I'd have to rescue him every
morning. Up until today, though, he loved his backrubs and turkey
snacks and rubs and cuddles enough that I knew he was happy staying
with me for at least a little while longer.
When they gave him a shot to help him sleep this afternoon in the
vet's office, he didn't even flinch. Somehow he had gone from being my
punkin, my sweet little boy to being more gone than here in just a few
short hours. He has left a huge hole in my heart. I'm not sure what
I'll do without my little boy to cuddle. I was so hoping he'd make it
to Milwawukee to meet all his friends from the list, but I guess it
just wasn't meant to be.
Even though I'm sad, and miss him terribly, I know that there wasn't
anything else I could do for him. He gave me a couple lip smacks as he
was peacefully drifting to sleep to let me know it was ok, that I was
doing the right thing and he was happy.
The vet school does necropsies free of charge, and I'm hoping that can
help me learn what had been going on with my dear boy. I'll be sure to
let you know when I've heard anything.
I'm sorry this isn't my best writing. He chose to leave me when I,
too, was sick, so that doesn't help. I'm just glad I got to spend his
last day cuddling and snuggling him here at home. I'm sure that was
his plan.
Thanks for all the support you've given me as I've battled his
illnesses over the last year. We both really benefited from your advice.
Could we save him for the next Circle of Light ceremony? I am in class
for the one on Thursday, and I would really like a chance to light a
candle with you when we remember my special little boy.
Hugs,
Kristen Z. and Lola
Angels Sophie, Heddie and Yoda
