Good-Bye (for now) to Momma

Yesterday was a very long day, but the past 17 days before it, passed all too quickly. After 17 days, I said good-bye to Momma. The last few days had been difficult for her. I upped her pain medication and added another with the hope that it would alleviate the obvious discomfort she was having caused by the very large mammary tumor. But, unfortunately, it did not. During the night, I was awakened more than once by her whining as she tried to get comfortable. It was heartbreaking to listen to. I prayed she would find comfort.

~Our first photo together~

My hope when Momma came to us was to make the last days of her life the best. I'm not sure that we did that, but I think that she liked being part of our household. She enjoyed lots extra treats, sneaking a nap on the bed in our guest bedroom, a big yard to explore, and the company of lots of canine friends, and one in particular, Chipper, is really missing her. I am too.  It didn't take long to get used to hearing her tail whack-whack-whack against the wall when she'd see me. It didn't take long to get used to seeing her smiling face, seeing her lounging on the big dog bed in the office. It didn't take long for her to find a place in my heart.

In the hopes of making a last memory with Momma, on the way to the vets office, I decided to go to McDonalds. I was going to get my favorite, a cheeseburger and fries for her. But once at the drive thru, it occured to me that I should get what would be her favorite. A bacon-egg-and cheese biscuit. We went to a quiet place and I showed it to her. There was a puzzled look on Momma's face when I offered it to her. When she realized it was for her, her tail wagged as she gobbled it down. Afterwards, as I sat next to her for in our final quiet moments, there was a smile and sparkle in her eyes as she leaned into me as I talked to her. I wonder now, if on those rare times when I have a bacon-egg-and cheese biscuit, I'll not think of her.

As I left the vets office, I couldn't help but notice the purple wild flowers, called Ironweed that is  blooming along the road.

Seeing them reminded me of the purple flowers in her new collar that I'd bought for her just last week.

As I did with Jake, to sum up their life with us, to build my own "rainbow" I've given her a color.  Momma's color is purple. Purple represents wisdom, dignity,  devotion, peace, independence, and magic. Until the end, I could see the wisdom, and peace, trust and devotion in her eyes. The dignity she had through the pain of the cancer, her independent and kind nature, and the magic in the way she quickly stole all of our hearts.

God-speed Mommaaaa, until we meet again on the other side. You are missed and will not be forgotten.   

~One last, and final photo~ 

 As a postscript, a good friend also said good-bye to her cat named "Pal" yesterday. His time with her, was also much too short. But with her, he found all that he needed and more. Our candle, (sat here on a throw that she gave me), is lit to help Pal find his way to the Rainbow Bridge.