Putting Your Pet Down: Goodbye Filly
Putting your pet down is a hard decision, and today I’m sharing my story: Goodbye Filly!
This post is very painful to write today, because it feels like only yesterday that our sweet kitty, Filly, was stretched out in the sunshine, laying in the raspberry bushes, bringing so much joy to our family.
I’m not sure if you’ve ever had to put an animal down, but this was a first for our family. Only now can I write about it, two months later, without shedding a tear or two.
It’s a strange thing, the loss of a pet. The bond is unique to each person, each family.
Filly came to us in March of 1999, the cutest kitty we’d ever laid eyes on. The matriarch pet of our family, she was the oldest pet we’ve ever owned. Our kids grew up with her.
It’s a long story, but basically 2 of our family members suffered with horrible (cat) allergies, and put up with it for years. We finally had to relieve the pain and suffering in our home, and with wise advice (from friends who knew the love we had for our pets), and taking into consideration Filly’s ailments, my eldest and I headed to do one of the hardest things we’ve ever done.
Putting your pet down
We put the “queen” to rest, bringing her home to our backyard, under the raspberry bushes, right where she belongs.
Goodbye Filly
An American Short Hair, Filly was 17 years old, but at times still looked like a kitty. The day we put her down, a beautiful rainbow flitted across the horizon, mixed with raindrops and teardrops.
We thought of her young and spry, agile and wise, with a cute demeanor, all the rats and birds she’d bring to us for approval, the way she stretched out in the sun, rolled around for her tummy to be rubbed, the way we’d carry her around our necks, the way she ran through the yard, and hid when company came over.
Filly’s photo sits on top of our piano now, and we talk about her every day…
We roll with the pain of losing our lovely pet, as we think we hear her sounds, meows, or see her laying on her favorite blanket on the sofa, or on the pool towels in the outside bathroom. Then we realize, she is truly gone.
Long live the queen, Filly, you will live in our hearts forever! No other cat will ever be YOU!
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I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
So sorry for your loss. It will take a while before it gets better. Pets become a part of the family.
Annamaria
So sorry to read of that hard decision you had to make. Here is a part of a poem I found when I had to help my 14 yr. old lab leave this world. It helped me about him, and about the others to whom I have given the final gift:
IF IT SHOULD BE
If it should be that I grow weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then you must do what must be done
For this last battle cannot be won.
You will be sad I understand,
Don’t let grief then stay your hand.
For this day more than all the rest,
Your love for me must stand the test.
We’ve had so many happy years,
What is to come can hold no fears,
You’d not want me to suffer so,
The time has come to let me go.
Take me where my need they’ll tend,
And please stay with me until the end.
Hold me firm and speak to me.
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time that you will see,
The kindness that you did for me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I’ve been saved.
Please do not grieve it must be you,
Who has this painful thing to do,
We’ve been so close, we two, these years
Don’t let your heart hold back its tears.
For I am now in a better place,
And will be waiting to see your happy face.
Sorry to hear about your dear Filly. You were blessed to have such a sweet kitty in your home. I envelope you & your families hearts in love & the warm loving memories of your dear Queen Kitty.
Sandy, my sincerest and heartfelt sympathy for your loss. Our pets can become like family if we allow it….and you and your family did! I feel your pain. A few years ago, I had to put down our sweet, sweet Cocoa, a chocolate lab. She was a part of us, and the pain of losing her was heartbreaking. It does get better. My tears have turned into funny and sweet remembrances and smiles when we speak of her. You gave Filly a home that probably few animals are lucky enough to have…and what a blessing you and your family were to her. But, the biggest blessing was what she gave to each of us. God bless!
I am so sorry.?
Sorry for your loss. We dealt with this in mid-March when our 14.5-year-old Shepherd/Husky could no longer get up the stairs into the house. I was astounded by the pain of it. Still. It will be one month on Monday and I still expect to come out of my bedroom, shuffling along, so I don’t trip on the black dog in the dark.
The pain eases but the longing does’t. We’ve been there, and nine years later, we still miss our beloved little four legged puppy. So sorry for your loss!
Sending so many hugs to you and the family, Sandy. I’m so glad you have these pictures and sweet memories of her. She clearly had a wonderful human family in you all.
Thank you, Megan. She was a love!
This is so sad. What a pretty kitty. I’ll bet you have so many memories of this sweet girl. XO
Oh…. now teary eyed myself – I have grown into being such a HUGE pet lover and soft hearted person awards animals. We put our cat down in 2009 – I even wrote a short blog post about it (http://www.theconfidentmom.com/11/faith-and-family/kitty-grief/) and the sadness it brought too. Our pets… they bring so much joy and are such a part of our family!!! May each day bring you closer to just laughing and smiling at the fond memories – thanks for sharing!!
Thanks for sharing your story, too, Susan. xo
Hugs to you!
Oh Sandy. I’m truly so so sorry for your loss. Those of us who truly cherish our furry family members will understand your heartbreak. With time it gets better, although I still tear up when thinking of the funny things my little Trixie dog used to do. I see her quirks in our little Cosmo and wonder if she’s whispering in his ear. Filly and Trixie are frolicking together now.
:( Hugs….