Grayson & Lu
Member Since 2012
Saying good-bye is one of the hardest things we do to our extra sweet, extra special kitties. The last gift we can give them - a peaceful crossing from life's journey to their next assignment - is what Grayson earned today. I held him in my arms and said good-bye to my boy. Nearly 3 years of testing and insulin, an Acro diagnosis, SRT treatment, and many travels brought us closer than I ever imagined. He fought each challenge head-on, and conquered... until this last battle. On Sept 11, he was dx w/ Eosinophilic Leukemia and/or Hyper Eosinophilic Syndrome (HES). In the past two weeks, he'd experienced 4 events that could have been life-ending, but rebounded each time. When the first event recurred as the 3rd and 4th, where his outer layer of skin and fur were sloughing - literally peeling off - it was time to accept that this opponent could not be conquered. We waved the white flag.
Though terribly sad, there is a peace about us that comforts. Not only is he free from pain, but he is in good company with many of our friends who've gone before him. He's lost 4 acro buddies in just over a month - two just this week. Our own Heather's Sneakers, Taffy, Scout, and Cheeto were at the bridge to greet him, and many many FD kitty friends, as well as his brother Peaches, and my former fosters Hope and Chloe.
In these years, he's taught me so much, and brought such joy to my life. My memories will be forever etched in my heart (as well as the gazillions of pictures I shot). My friend Marty, a very wise priest and licensed vet, recently told me - it's better to have the pain, than experience a life without the love they bring. I would go through it all again, and I know I will (maybe not a repeat of the acro part), in order to give back to other diabetic kitties - and I already have, with Chloe and Spartacus. I hope others find such love and strength from the support they get here, that they, too, will open their hearts to another kitty in need.
Wishing you all the peace that comes from knowing your baby is whole again.
Lu-Ann and Grayson [GA]
A poem by another acro mom:
My love is a butterfly.
The day I first held her my heart felt full to bursting. No one could love a kitten more.
She was perfect for me and her eyes followed me with devotion as I moved around in her life.
That love felt full but was only the egg of promise.
The day she was diagnosed was one of panic and grief.
As time passed the panic was replaced by the routine of her care and the grief morphed.
We cocooned, protected each other from forever with the sweetest love, deeper that I ever could have imagined.
The day I had to let her go my heart did truly burst, I feared my love was gone.
But in quiet moments, in the stillness between heart beats I can still feel her purr.
My love is a butterfly.
- dedicated to Cheeto
- written by Linda Grooms - September 2014
Though terribly sad, there is a peace about us that comforts. Not only is he free from pain, but he is in good company with many of our friends who've gone before him. He's lost 4 acro buddies in just over a month - two just this week. Our own Heather's Sneakers, Taffy, Scout, and Cheeto were at the bridge to greet him, and many many FD kitty friends, as well as his brother Peaches, and my former fosters Hope and Chloe.
In these years, he's taught me so much, and brought such joy to my life. My memories will be forever etched in my heart (as well as the gazillions of pictures I shot). My friend Marty, a very wise priest and licensed vet, recently told me - it's better to have the pain, than experience a life without the love they bring. I would go through it all again, and I know I will (maybe not a repeat of the acro part), in order to give back to other diabetic kitties - and I already have, with Chloe and Spartacus. I hope others find such love and strength from the support they get here, that they, too, will open their hearts to another kitty in need.
Wishing you all the peace that comes from knowing your baby is whole again.
Lu-Ann and Grayson [GA]
A poem by another acro mom:
My love is a butterfly.
The day I first held her my heart felt full to bursting. No one could love a kitten more.
She was perfect for me and her eyes followed me with devotion as I moved around in her life.
That love felt full but was only the egg of promise.
The day she was diagnosed was one of panic and grief.
As time passed the panic was replaced by the routine of her care and the grief morphed.
We cocooned, protected each other from forever with the sweetest love, deeper that I ever could have imagined.
The day I had to let her go my heart did truly burst, I feared my love was gone.
But in quiet moments, in the stillness between heart beats I can still feel her purr.
My love is a butterfly.
- dedicated to Cheeto
- written by Linda Grooms - September 2014
