Tomorrow I will release my Gracie cat from her pain and struggle.
In my ten years on DU, this is, IIRC, only my second OP, but I felt the need to share. Any of you familiar with the musical CATS will know about the Heavyside Layer. That is where I want my Gracie to go--the song keeps coming into my mind...Up past the Russell Hotel, Up Up Up Up to the Heavyside Layer...
Things will be better there, I know, and I hope she'll keep happy memories of her time with us, the love and care we've given her. She's a Russian Blue, about 15 years old, and has had a rather checkered past, none of which is her fault of course. I feel good, knowing we've made her last years safe and comfortable. But it's hard...We shall always miss her.
She's sleeping now, and in the morning I'll carry her gently to the arms of the vet who will make her passing a peaceful one. We've just lost a family member whose death came 'way too early. Clearly not on a par with losing Gracie, but still...sometimes things do pile on.
Didn't mean to go on for so long, but thanks to those who read and care. Forgive me my tears, and blessings to all.
Class
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It's the ultimate act of love in this case. 
great comfort and I send that comfort to you.
My sister's dog Hootch was going to be let free on a Saturday and that Friday when I went home, I paused wondering if I could pet him and tell him how much he gave me too, the love and friendship, the joy and comedy. I did. I wnt to him and he was unnaturally peppy and happy. I hugged him, I thanked him profusely for his greatness in my life and then I went home.
The next day about 1:30 I was sort of drifting off on the couch. I was in that twilight space between truly awake and asleep. I felt a hard punch on my chest, then opened my eyes totally awake. I saw a huge black dog nose, sort of fish eye like and the happiest, merriest, twinklingest brown eyes ever. I felt that those eyes told me words ... hi. I love you. I wish you could know how happy and well and joy-filled I am. Then I blinked and the brown face, the happy eyes and the black nose was gone. The spot where he punched me with his nose, something he did when he was with us in the physical world was mildly sore for two days or so.
He came to me to tell me that he was free, completely happy, completely well and with us in just another form. He was there, he was with us. He didn't leave us just because he changed. I asked Chris when he was let go and it was 1:30.
Your baby will stay by your side and never leave you. Love never ends. Love is not deterred by distance and circumstances. Every time you think of him, he will be there. I was reading the books by a forensic pathologist named Janis Amatuzio. Over her decades of work she has seen strange things and some of them included animals. She saw one man nearing death who had his great dane come to him and sleep on his bed, a dog long gone from the world. She has two books that I will include that are fascinating and may comfort you. She and other pathologists discuss this stuff now at conferences because she isn't the only one who notices this stuff.
Your baby will be with you through this. I wish you so much love and peace.
Forever Ours and Beyond Knowing by Janis Amatuzio, MD Published by New World Library
Take care. Time will be your friend now. Listen hard. Your baby will let you know they are around. I hear the sound of my dog's nails on the hard wood floor now and again, usually when I have a lot of stress. None of the times I have heard it were my dogs and cats anywhere but sitting on the bed beside me. 
It is always hard. We lost our Tony a few months back and it broke my heart to have my beloved pet die in my arms. Grief is grief and how we mourn is who we are.
From our family of furbabies to yours
May your memories make you smile through your tears.
I think everyone here has been through this heartbreaking loss of a beloved pet and more than once. It never gets easier, but not one of use would trade what we've been blessed with in our fur babies for all the world.
Peace and healing to you as you join you beloved cat for her final journey. The last act of love you can give her.
I am in tears right along with you.
Grieve not,
nor speak of me with tears,
but laugh and talk of me
as if I were beside you...
I loved you so --
'twas Heaven here with you.
by Isla Paschal Richardson
