MIDGE

We both lay in the grey pre-dawn light.  Neither of us spoke but we both knew what sadness this day would bring.  Both reluctant to move and put the day into gear. Safer to lie still and remain in neutral. 

My arm dangled off the side of the bed and I gently twined her thick fur between my fingers, knowing this would be the last morning wake up call I would ever get from her.

This has hit us like a bolt from the blue.  Yes, she has had a bit of arthritis and had been coping well on medication.  She was 10 years old after all !  But yesterday she had a funny turn – probably a small stroke the vet tells us – and she fell down and couldn’t stand properly.  Staggering and not spacially aware of where she was.  “Lets see how she is in the morning” said the vet and so a new day dawns.

Quality trumps quantity and the decision was made.

Rather that trying to get her into the car, then out of the car and into the surgery, we opted for asking the vet to come to us. 

She managed a small breakfast and lay comfortably in her beany bag.  I snipped a piece of her beautiful coat and put it into an envelope before the vet arrived.  I lay down next to her and cuddled her in my arms.  Her heart was racing and her breathing was heavy but I talked gently to her as the vet shaved her leg and inserted the needle.

She gently slipped away as I held her.

Its been a sad day 

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