This week I have been processing the loss of my cat Treasure, she will be greatly missed, and I am thankful that I knew her for as many years as the lives cats are meant to have (nine). I have also felt conflict within my psyche in regard to if this was just how fate was meant to play out given the circumstances behind her passing, or if things would be different if she had remained with us (determinism or indeterminism).
A year ago I had to give Treasure away due to my illnesses, where my immune system was at its weakest, I suddenly developed allergies (had lots of testing) to things that I hadn't before including pets. I tried my best to continue to coexist with my fur baby, but I kept getting eye infections where my eyes were already dry from Sjogren’s. I ended up with a corneal abrasion at one point which was very painful, so I made the choice to rehouse her with our family friend Gareth. He already had three other cats, which would be great for Treasure as she had become lonely after the loss of her brother Salem, and where he was close by it meant that my son could see and spend time with her.
Treasure was also familiar with his daughter Cerys (my God daughter) and they always had a great rapport whenever she slept over. Lastly Treasure was also named by my late friend Julie (Gareth's wife), as we had found her abandoned in a park. It was believed (by the vet) that she was likely discarded due to a birth defect (she had a sunken chest) so my friend all those years ago made a joke about her being a pirate cat, and also remarked that one man's trash is another man's treasure so the name stuck, and we welcomed her into her home where she wasn't microchipped or later claimed.
Getting back to recent events Treasure was always an indoor cat, however her new home had looser rules and unfortunately as a result she was gravely injured in a hit and run accident. For a moment they (the vet) felt she would recover from her injuries, but alas that was not the card dealt as she passed away rather cruelly from a blood clot on her lungs soon after. It was horrible watching her struggling to breathe and being put on life support. Her prognosis at this point was extremely poor, as she was only given a 3% survival rate, so we made the choice to have her put down in order to end her suffering. I could not watch despite being in the room, but my husband and our friend were there comforting her as she passed. I got to hold and talk to her for a bit afterwards, as well as get a toe bean print to remember her by. Something I regret not having in regard to her brother Salem.
When he passed away my boss at that time did not allow me to go to the vet with my husband (short staffed) after he was given a grim diagnosis in regard to his health. Salem who was twelve had unfortunately developed kidney failure after going missing for a while, so Luke had to endure that passing on his own and given the emotional state he was in at that point, he just did not think about it, which is understandable. I also imagine being with Treasure under similar circumstances this week as well must have been very triggering for him also.
My son also had a massive meltdown in regard to Treasure's death as well that lead to some knock on incidents at school in regard to his behaviour, which was also quite stressful, but expected as grief is no easy feat. None the less Treasure will never be forgotten by us, she truly was a member of our family, and I hope she is resting peacefully with her brother Salem in the clouds.
