September 21, 2004 our Clancy Left for New Adventures.

He may have "just" been a cat, but he was nearly human, and I think the following (given to me by a thoughtful friend) applies...

Death is nothing at all.
I have only slipped away into the next room.
I am I and you are you.
Whatever we were to each other,
that we still are.

Call me by my old familiar name.
Speak to me in the easy way
which you always used.
Put no difference in your tone.
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.

Laugh as we always laughed
at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word
that it always was.
Let it be spoken without affect,
without the trace of a shadow on it.

Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same that it ever was.
There is absolutely unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind
because I am out of sight?

I am waiting for you,
for an interval,
somewhere very near,
just around the corner.

All is well.

Henry Scott Holland
1847-1918
Canon of St. Paul's Cathedral
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The Vet had a tech come out to the car with a sedative, and while that took effect, we said our loving good byes...and then in this quiet state, FREE FROM THE PAIN we could carry him into the vet's little room...and then while we waited and waited for the vet to get a break from his over booked time (very popular vet because he is so very kind) our Clancy could not hear the screaming cats and barking crying dogs and voices... not a twitch of his ear...and then suddenly my hubby knew...he said to me "he left"... his body was breathing but his spirit left, because he did not have the pain holding his focus here... and then the vet came in...and we let go. He had cancer that had gotten through out his body and I know I did right, as his last 24 hours the pain med at home was not working. I know I was a super good mom for him for 17 1/2 years and he (rescued from the humane society here) had one great and long life with us.