Vicious Life Cycle.

Today we had to do a tough thing. We put down our family cat. Armond was 16 years old, so he lived a long good life, but we were very close to him! I remember going with my mom to the mall and Best Friends Animal Sanctuary was there doing adoptions and I finally convinced my mom to get a cat. (I was 16 at the time).


I picked him out because he was such a beautiful chocolate/black color, and I thought his name was cool. He's been a very good cat, and it was very hard to see him get so old and sick. Today my mom picked me up so I could go to the vet with them, I got in and saw my mom had been crying. My sister, Maddie, was in the back, looking out the window. I said "Hey, Maddie." She looked at me, her eyes all swollen, face red. When her eyes met mine, she started crying again. UGH! That started me crying. Armond was standing on the console, so I held him for a minute. Maddie doesn't cry often (at least not in front of people), she'll usually just get quiet. This was hard to see her crying. And I always cry when I see my mom cry! We all sat very quietly in the room at the vet with Armond. All crying, and petting him. Maddie left the room when the vet came in. He asked if we wanted to stay for it, my mom and I stayed. People told my mom that she should stay in there so he can be comfortable with familiar people. I couldn't leave her alone! They took Armond to weigh him and shave a spot on his leg for the injection. He was pretty calm for being out of his normal surroundings. They laid him down and we helped hold and pet him, and as they gave him the injection, he started purring. I think he was telling us Thank You and Good-bye. (awesome, now I'm crying again, blah!) He slowly went limp and we laid him down. It was a minute or two before he was gone, so we just sat and petted him. I had found a poem earlier that I gave to mom to help comfort her. I know she was feeling guilty, but I want her to know she shouldn't because she was so selfless to take care of him so well and for so long. She is amazing to all her pets, and she should just feel great for being able to give him 16 comfortable, loved years.
This is the poem I gave mom:

BEAMED FROM THE BRIGHT CATTERY IN THE SKY
(Michael Hatwell, The Cat Magazine)
"praedilecta Sappho ibi nuper ascensa sic loquitu"
In case you have been wondering
Just how I am getting along
In my new surroundings
Or worry whether I have learned to cope
With the easy rhythm and pace
For which this place is renowned
Then listen: I have been chasing little mice again
Sweeter, lighter, infinitely more fragrant
Than any I ever brought into the bedroom
For your pleasure
In the old days.
That having been said,
I wouldn't for all the world wish you to infer
That they stint the grub up here:
Admittedly
The celestial fish are not especially exciting
(Their natural zodiac ripeness has had to be homogenised
for the general run of feline palates)
But on the plus side
The nice cat-lady who comes round,
All gowned in blue (my favourite colour)
And with glory crowned,
Pours out a warm and creamy whiteness
That is literally
Quite heavenly.
Someone usually remembers
To cut my claws
And tickle my ear
So that side of things is catered for,
One might say,
Adequately enough.

I think of you sometimes
Certain that you will come one day
To take me on your knee
And talk to me the way you used to.
When that day comes
I shall let you know
Loudly and unambiguously
That things round here have finally begun to go
Really very well indeed:
I shall add to ordinary space and time
My own particular dimension
Of thick, soft-throated sound.

I know some people think its ridiculous to be that sad about a pet, but Armond was like part of the family, and he was with us for 16 years, thats a long time. All of our pets are like family. Pets are great companions and give unconditional love!

And on a happy note, Happy Birthday to JOSH!!! My older brother!! You are awesome and I hope you have had a great day!!