Today, I am taking Oscar to Rolling Hills Veterinary Hospital to have him put down. It’s a very hard decision, but it’s time. He either has diabetes or kidney disease. After a discussion with our Vet, Dr. Candace Stormer, Andy and I decided that we would just let Oscar live until he wasn’t Oscar anymore. The stress of treatment for either of those illnesses would just make the end of Oscar’s life a terrible time. We didn’t want that for our wonderful, furry friend.
As I sit here writing this at 5:45 am – I don’t think I’ll be able to do this later, my heart is hurting so much. Oscar was “my cat.” He was my “Bubby.” As a kitten, I found him under my old Ford Escort coming out of work one night. He was so tiny and he fit in the palm of my hand. He LOVED all of our other pets, but especially Smokey. We used to have “Oscar and Mommy” time every night. I would sit on our bed watching television or reading and Oscar would sleep next to me. He was goofy at times too. He used to love it if you left the faucet on in the bathroom sink. He would merrily hop up on the sink and contort himself so that he could drink the fresh water. He used to love to taunt Newman. He would sit about a foot away from her and just stare at her. The crouch and then cat “butt wiggle” would happen and off they would go through the house. He always looked like Pepe Le Pew when he was bounding after her. Andy and I would laugh for hours watching the two of them. When I was on bed rest while pregnant with Laura, he would sit on the bed with me and purr. It always made me relax and feel better. Oh, how I will miss him.
Yesterday, I spent some time with him while John was napping. I held him and hugged him. He looked up at me a few times and it was obvious that my Bubby is already gone. He doesn’t know us anymore. There are flashes of recognition, but they don’t last long. It was in that moment that I knew that this is the right decision even though it’s killing us to have made it.
I love you my beautiful friend. Thanks for always making me feel better and for watching over me. You were always there for me and I’ll miss you so very much. Say hello to Sammie and Smokey for us and give them the best Oscar rubs that you can.