Goodbye Rambo

I said goodbye to my dear old cat friend, Rambo on December 13 at 2.45pm. He was very old physically - a good 21 years that we knew of, possibly ten more - and has slowly been declining over the last couple of weeks.

Every morning I've been expecting to find him curled up somewhere having died in his sleep. Rambo wasn't suffering, he was just old and tired. His body was wearing out. He lost a lot of weight and was just a skeleton with fur for the last few days.

So how did I know it was time to call the vet?

I knew. He told me. We didn't need words. I knew today that he was ready to leave this life. I didn't want his last moments to be a painful struggle, so I called the vet. I wish it didn't have to be so.

Rambo left this life the way he lived it - with quiet dignity, on his own terms, in his own time, with love in his heart and me by his side.

I'm sure going to miss my big purry furry tiger-eyes boy. I'm so proud to have been his friend.

I have peace in my mind and soul, but my heart is aching. I know his gentle old spirit and mine will meet again, but until then I can't help but grieve for the loss of my little friend.