Yesterday at 2:10 p.m. EST my gorgeous red tabby Judas crossed over the bridge to meet her brother Hercules (4/5/2011). Judas had the same chronic renal failure indications that Hercules died of, but what actually took her down was oral cancer. When I couldn’t stop the bleeding in her mouth, I knew it was time to take her in. God was with me as my pet sitter had come over to say good-bye and so could run and get me some cloths to wipe her mouth. My guy friend, who normally doesn’t come over on Tuesdays, decided it was a better day and showed up exactly when I needed him to take me to the VET for the 2pm appt I was able to get just minutes after all this occurred. Everything fell into place once the decision was made. Thus, as I was crying hysterically, I knew I was being guided to do the right thing.
Prior to this point, I was concerned that I might take even one precious day from Judas. How could I cut the life of such a beautiful creature by even one day if she was meant to have it. But it wasn’t in my hands. When a capillary broke in her diseased lower gum, the blood was pouring out. I carried her into the Vet in my arms with blood all over my shoulder where she had tried to bury her face. Up until the end, she looked to me for comfort, something she’d done since she was a kitten all the years ago.
Both Hercules and Judas were found in my backyard the summer of 1994. He was named for coming to me first, being the brave one and she was named for being sneaky, grabbing the food I put out and then running away. I loved them both dearly, but each had different personalities. Judas, being a female was subservient to Hercules until her passed. She’s now had about 10 months to be the top cat, independent and stubborn until the end. She refused to allow me to do the fluid IV so I put Normysol solution in wet food 4 times a day. Then a few days ago, she started to refuse the doctored food (also with many supplements to try to overcome the cancer). So, I yielded to her will and gave her the plain wet food. She still barely ate.
Yet, yesterday morning, she got up a bit brighter, had her pain medication, and ate more than usual. But the second meal at noon was fatal when a capillary broke and blood poured out. I had to take my beautiful girl in. She died in my arms with me telling her what a wonderful girl she had been, and how she couldn’t have been loved any more. I knew her soul had left when I saw her body lying there.
I took her home to show my new rescue cat Skylar, whom I got in October. He hadn’t bonded with her yet and so seemed unimpressed. I haven’t noticed any change in him but I wanted to do this any way. Then I took Judas in a little box, with the help of a friend, down to be cremated. I will pick her up on Friday and hold a ceremony for her. Her ashes will be buried next to her brother so they can play forever at Rainbow Bridge. Already Hercules is telling me that she is there and not to worry about her. Still my heart is breaking for my beautiful girl.
Joanne's StarTeacher Blog 
Sorry for your loss.
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Thanks MaryNell, I appreciate the kind thoughts. Joanne
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Yes, yesterday as warm and sunny as it was, was a sad day when Judas departed. We knew some weeks ago that her time was limited and that she at most only had weeks to live. The oral cancer was destroying her mouth. The medicines kept her pain free and she was able to live her last days with minimum suffering, but it was only a matter of time and Judas would be no more. The end came quickly and without doubt yesterday. Once the blood vessel in her lower gum broke, the blood flowed and there no more guessing when it would be Judases time. She went the short drive to the vet wrapped in a towel in Joanne’s arms without a meow, looking around at the scenery along the road side which she had never seen when she visited the vet in her cat box.
She’s gone now. But I can visualize that Rainbow Bridge that leads to Heaven from the green meadow where pets play and wait for their owner. Someday Joanne will come, and there is a happy reunion with Judas and her brother Hercules. And together the three will cross the Rainbow Bridge, Hercules on the right with his tail straight up and Judas on the left with her tail switching left to right, together forever.
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