 Drama: July 04, 2018 Issue [#8989] |
  Drama
This week: Our Life With Pets Edited by: NaNoKit  
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Do you have a beloved animal companion? Have you lost one?
This week's Drama Newsletter is all about pets, as I await the result of a visit to the vet.
NaNoKit |
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I had intended for this newsletter to be one on fictionalised historical figures. I just dug up a book that fictionalises the poet Lord Byron, and it’s a very good read. The idea behind it intrigued me, but... my cat fell ill. So, that put an end to that.
My cat is 16 years old. Last year, his brother passed away. That was a huge blow to him – to this day, he will spend time searching for and calling out to his sibling. For the last few weeks it’s been unusually warm weather here in the UK. Unlikely the past two years, when we didn’t have anything that could rightfully be called a summer, it’s been sun, sun, sun to be point where it’s difficult to sleep at night. During the day I have my fan on, but at night I don’t want to risk that – when my previous fan broke there was a burning smell and I don’t want anything to happen when I’m asleep.
It is not entirely surprising, then, that my cat isn’t feeling his best. I try to keep him as cool as possible. Have water bowls on all three floors of the house. And he is an elderly cat. I know that I cannot expect him to live forever, as much as I would like him to.
Today, I took him to the vet. My cat was unimpressed at this. Thankfully, he was well-behaved, apart from a small swipe when the vet took his temperature. We are now awaiting the result of a blood test. The vet said that his symptoms could mean a number of things – problems with his kidneys, diabetes... we will have to see. It’s nerve-wracking. I should know tomorrow.
Throughout all this my neighbour has been a star. He and his partner, too, have a cat, who likes to stop by our place. I’ve been given hugs, and these really excellent Welsh cakes, and lots of support. I think that anyone who has a pet knows the worry and the pain that people feel when their pet isn’t well, especially when you know that said pet is likely to be nearing the end of their life.
I know that when the time comes for my cat, I will be taking a break before I adopt a new one (or two). I’ll no doubt still have the neighbour cat visiting, so I won’t be completely without. But my heart will have to heal. The loss of the brother cat hit me hard last year. Whilst he reached a good age, especially considering the siblings were rescued from the countryside as tiny, scruffy, not-very-well kittens, and my remaining feline, too, has done very well, our time with most pets can feel extremely limited. You never know when that pain is going to strike once more.
I sometimes wonder why we do it. Why we put ourselves through it. I think the answer is that our animal companions bring us so much joy during the time that we get to spend with them. During my life I have had several cats, a dog, a couple of rats, a couple of budgies, a rabbit, a guinea pig, two gerbils, two hamsters, a couple of fish and a chinchilla. Most were animals in need of a safe, loving home after having had a tough time of it, or because of no longer being wanted by their previous owners. The rats, for example, were meant to be with me for only a couple of weeks whilst the owner was on a holiday abroad, and then it turned out that she didn’t really want them back. Same with the guinea pig. The dog had an abusive owner, so I told him that if he didn’t like his dog, I would be happy to take him. Thankfully, the man agreed.
All of my animal friends have made me smile, and laugh, and brought me comfort during difficult times. I remember the evening when I walked my dog and a group of guys thought it would be fun to harass and threaten me. My dog, who was very friendly and sweet and as harmless as anything, placed himself in front of me and growled. That got the guys to back off rather quickly. In the end, then, we saved each other.
There are people who believe that animals don’t have feelings. I am not one of them. My cat searching for his brother for over a year now is an example to me of how other species experience emotions, too. To have them in our lives is special. Something to be cherished. Sure, they can knock things over and I reckon many who have ever had a cat will know what it’s like to encounter a furball with your bare feet when you’ve just stepped out of bed, but those are small things compared to all of the wonderful memories you create together.
There’s a reason why there are therapy animals, and service animals. Other species can make such a difference to our existence. Having a purring cat on my lap is incredibly soothing.
I am nervous about what I will hear tomorrow when I ring the vet. I’d like to think that my cat and I have some happy years ahead still, but if not... if not...
Give your pet a hug from me, will you?
NaNoKit
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The Drama Newsletter Team
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