The day Charlie was put to sleep
My pain was unbearable, but at least his was gone …
Waking that morning, I could hear his faint meows from downstairs. These were not the meows of old, when he would cry for me to feed him his posh cat food. Nor was it the sound of him play-fighting with his sister Lucy, who he loved dearly until her passing from leukaemia many years before.
This was different. This was the sound I had been dreading for so long but knew was inevitable. It was the cry that was telling me enough was enough. It was the cry telling me the drugs treating his arthritis were no longer working and he was desperate for help. Help from me!
I turned to my wife and was unable to speak. No words would come out. The tears dripping down my face was enough to communicate to her what was going on. She went downstairs to look after Charlie while I tried my best to pull myself together. But it was impossible knowing what I had to do next.
Charlie had been with us for over seventeen years. But as any couple with cats know, sometimes they will attach themselves very strongly to one particular owner and never let go. With my wife it was Lucy. With Charlie it was me.
It’s hard to find the right words to explain just how much his companionship meant. He was with me during the most tumultuous times of my life and kept me from harm. He could sense when I was in difficulty and would sit with me until I was ok. Cats truly make amazing psychotherapists and I can’t recommend them enough.
I think I meant a lot to Charlie too. When we moved house, I had to rescue him from a trainline when he got lost. Then there were the times he’d come home covered in sticky balls from those weird plants. I’d often spend my evenings, patiently removing them from his thick coat while he made strange growly noises at me. Of course he’d go out the next day and do it again. I think he rolled in them on purpose to keep me busy!
Driving to the vets I could barely breathe. I stopped the car at the side of the road to wipe my tears and consider my actions. The fact were the facts. I was about to have my best friend euthanised and it was going to be on me. But when I heard Charlie’s pained cries from the box on my wife’s lap, I understood.
The vet was very kind and let me hold Charlie as they prepared the drugs. I was an utter mess and tried my best to stop crying, but it was just impossible. I put my face close to Charlie’s and told him how much I loved him and thanked him for being my friend. Then the vet came over with the needle and my heart broke.
I held him in my arms as the needle went in and he looked straight at me. But it wasn’t a look of fright. It was a look that said; thank you for taking away my pain and for such a wonderful life. Then he sighed gently with relief and closed his eyes. It was a spiritual moment I will never forget.
When it was over, my wife took me to a nearby pub and we reminisced over Charlie’s life and how he enriched our lives. Now many years later, we have another cat called Bob. I know the day may come when I must hold him in my arms and say goodbye, but right now he’s high on catnip and destroying the carpet. I just wish Charlie was here to see it!
Thanks for reading
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Originally published at https://medium.com/never-stop-writing/the-day-charlie-was-put-to-sleep-4de0eebc9328
About the Creator
Simon Aylward
Undiscovered Irish Playwright and Poet - Seeker of eternal youth - Wannabe time traveller and believer in spiritual energies - Too many books to read, not enough time!
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