Sad News

Yesterday, we had to have my mum’s eldest cat, Squeak put to sleep.

She was 17 years old.

Pets become part of our lives; they are one of the family -– especially if they’ve been with you for a long time. We hate to see them get sick, but as they get older, you know that inevitably, the time will come to say goodbye.

Squeak had been ill for some time but in recent days she had deteriorated quite rapidly.

Making the decision to have an animal put to sleep is never an easy thing to do, but there comes a time when you can’t watch them suffer any longer. Yesterday, my dad and my brother made that dreadful decision.

My mum is currently staying at my sister's to babysit my nephew who is on his half-term break. She was informed of what we were going to do, but had already said her goodbyes the following weekend fearing that Squeak would pass on whilst she was away.

What made yesterday even harder was the fact that my own cat, Hardy (who is Squeak’s second oldest daughter) was celebrating her sixteenth birthday. I had planned to go to my mum’s house to see Hardy, but in the end it was a day of sadness as we said goodbye to the matriarch of the clan.

We took her to the vets at about 4.20pm. As I sat in the surgery waiting room, my knees were shaking. I knew we were doing the right thing, but it didn’t make it any easier and I wanted that moment to last forever. Eventually though, we were called through.

The vet was very nice and understanding and said that we were doing the right thing because her immune system was very low and she was very weak and there really was no need to prolong her suffering any longer.

We decided to stay with her, and the vet gave us five minutes to say our goodbyes. When it came to the time for her to go, we stayed with her, fighting back our own tears as we said comforting words and stroked her fur.

She died peacefully.

We brought her home, and she is buried in our front garden between her sister, Bubbles and eldest daughter, Oscar.

I write this in tears. Last night I felt quite numb and sleeping was very difficult. The pain will take time to heal, but she will never be forgotten because she was a wonderful cat and a very loyal companion for many years.

Rest in peace, Squeak.