Putting Ellie Mae to sleep

by Chip
(Cincinnati,OH)

We got Ellie, a gentle, friendly,loving part of our family 14 years ago, when she was four. Her days were numbered at the Humane Society, everyone wanted a kitten and not a mature cat. But when we peered through the glass looking at kittens, Ellie suddenly awoke and bounded over to us, she followed us as we passed by her. We returned to look at this sweet cat that seemed to want us so badly. We took her home that day. She wasn't de clawed, but never scratched anyone, not once. She used to visit the kids at the day care playground behind our house, tail up in a friendly manner, she trotted to the kids, as they yelled "Ellie! It's Ellie!",and she let them all pat her.

A couple months ago she began to lose weight, we were concerned the two younger cats we have were stealing her food, and began giving her good wet cat food in a room where the others couldn't steal from her. She was as energetic as ever, some days rolling around on the floor with a smile on her face, running full speed around the house (happy).

To make a long story short, we took her to the Vet. They X-rayed her, the next day she began to stagger and mouth breathe, we rushed her to the Vet. They said her liver was shot, as well as her kidney and had heart damage due to the massive infection. She was dying, and suffering. The Vet, and another Vet, both strongly suggested she be put to sleep. I had to think and think, but looking into her eyes, I saw she wasn't responding (blind?). I had to sign a form, they brought her in the exam room wrapped in a blanket, with an IV in her leg, we petted her, talked to her and she was sweet and well mannered as ever, finally they gave her a shot thru the IV, and slowly our beloved friend went to sleep. The Vet asked me if I was OK before giving her the shot, I choked out "OK"...and she drifted off forever.

I had a spinal fusion and chronic pain, when I was in too much pain I went to bed, who came to the bedroom to cheer me up? Ellie did, always,
sat on my chest, stared at me and purred until I felt better. She never once failed to visit anyone in the family who was sick, not once, she knew when someone was hurting and sad...she was gray/orange with stripes, and a bit of white fur around her eyes and mouth..makeup we used to call it. It was two weeks ago that we lost her, but just this morning I awoke, tears in my eyes...I guess it finally hit me, she's gone from us and in heaven. Even our German Shepherd liked her, and looked for her for days...never had a pet like Ellie Mae. Rest In Peace Girl.