Patting her head, he turned to me, a heavy frown furrowing his brow.
And spoke so low I barely heard him say, “Moya, it’s up to you now.”
The very words I’d dreaded yet hadn’t considered what I’d do.
“I’ve done my best, all that I can – now the rest is up to you.”
I clutched onto the table as the room momentarily went black.
Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, and I struggled to hold them back.
While she lay on that rocky table, I gazed into her eyes.
And saw the pain hidden deep within – more than I’d realised.
Unfocused though the brown eyes were, they pierced my soul down low.
I felt the limp body telling me, “I really need to go.”
I swallowed over the lump in my throat as I spoke in a choking voice.
“I give you my permission … I really have no choice.”
Then bent down to her level and gathered her close to me,
While the tears ran rampant from my eyes until I could not see.
I felt him lift her paw up as the needle was inserted,
And then her life flowed smoothly out, and my bravery deserted.
Some people cannot understand how heartbreaking this time was.
That for so many tears and sleepless nights, a lowly cat was the cause.
You simply cannot comprehend how this event could make one weep.
Unless you’ve said the cold and lonely words:
“You may put
My pet
To sleep…”
Author notes
S Y M P H O N Y
My pets mean the world to me; I love each of them as much as I love the human beings who are closest to me, and so, making the decision to be selfless, and allow them be put to sleep when they need it, is a hard decision, but one I need to make for their sakes. Perhaps to some people this will not seem like a huge sacrifice, but for me, I'm giving my bless to have my friends euthanised. Nevermind that they are not human, they mean just as much to me, and my life has been changed, especially after losing Bambi. More than you could imagine.
I was going through my Bambi file ... God I miss her!
Note: Bambi was my most beloved pet; a sweet Calico cat that I found as a four week old feral cat, and took into my home, and heart, to tame. She stayed with me for a brief six years, before departing in January 2003 having been poisoned. It was I that let her go to sleep eternally, and still healing from the grief .... there will never be another like her.
First in contest: allpoetry.com/Contest/2105538
Written November 17th, 2004
In a list
- Poems That I Love • next in list
- Contest Poems: Winners of My Contests • next in list
- Animals • next in list
A contest entry
- The Ithaca Kitty by ea.
300 points, ended October 27, 2006, 2 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Family? by glitterydoom.
300 points, ended September 9, 2008, 11 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Bored... I Want SAD by upperworld06.
360 points, ended October 1, 2008, 55 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Love them or hate them? by Judith Chandler.
750 points, ended August 24, 15 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Animals have it by condor.
800 points, ends December 19, 13 entries
• next poem in this contest, • Add to finalists list, or remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
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Please, don't even think of removing this from the contest as I remember this well and it goes straight to the finalist list. It is one piece that so touches my heart so deeply and really brought a tear to my eye. I have so been there and experienced this trauma and it is something that cannot be forgotten. Even today, I can still be taken back to that moment in time. your piece is the most precious and beautiful dedications to your wonderful friend and I am damned sure that if there is a way your friend could read this, they would be so touched by it. Our lives are enriched so much by these wonderful little friends and we would fail dismally without them around. A great joy to read, even as sad and heartbreaking as it is, it is still one of my favourite pieces I have read. Thank you so much for entering and the very best in the contest.
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It's so hard having to rely on someone else to make life for your dreams and yet sometimes we can't do everything ourselves.
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LavendeRFlame5,
I'm a bit confused by your comment ;-) Unless you meant about me making life for Bambi's dreams but to be honest, she was so content to be indoors, to have a family that loved her so deeply etc. But, I do thank you anyway for reading adn commenting
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Aww this is so incredibly touching. I've felt so close to animals that when they died it felt like a part of me was lost. Lovely job with this write, it wrapped around my heart.
bravo and thank you for entering
♥ kate -
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Kathraina,
thanks for reading, and commenting. I remember struggling to write this, because i was crying so much at the time, but it was one that i just had to get out of me
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Great poem though so sad for me to read.
I can understand as I almost had to do the
same to my puppy. This would have done well
in the contest had it mentioned love.
Mila
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Mila Aqua,
Ah, I see what you're saying... No worries though. And yes, it's one of the hardest things to do in the world but sometimes they're the things that HAVE to be done
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Congratulations on all the gold trophies. I really enjoyed reading your poem. I hope you do well in my contest and thanks for entering. Love and Peace!
-Jess
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MJ Forgives,
thanks for reading and commenting
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Congratulations on all your Gold tropies, my friend. You had me crying here as I read this as it reminded me of the time I had to have my darling Luke put down. He was nineteen and his kidneys had failed. It was the worst time of my life and I shall forever remember that day. This write of your was so full of real emotion. It showed me the true agony one feels at that monet, of the way you were torn apart, but how you knew and understood that your best friend needed to rest. I still have tears running now so all i can say is this is the best and the best gets bookmarked. Thank you.
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Condor,
ah, I hadn't realised you'd read this before; I hope it's okay that I entered it in your contest; if you'd prefer a different one, perhaps one that you hadn't read before, I can do that - there are plenty in my archives ;-)
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This was really moving and sad. I never had to put a pet to sleep but I told my puppy that it was alright for her to let go. It's hard! You made it to the finalists. Congrats and good luck!
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lesbian-in-love,
thank you very much
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This was very,very sad. I would never be able to put my pet asleep. I have 2 Chihuha's and I would have to get one put to sleep I don't think that I would be able to do that. Now that crosses my mind. I wouldn't be able to. It would kill me. I love my animals just like they were a human. If I lost one of them I would feel like I lost my kid. I hope that don't sound stupid. ANyways this was very moving. Thanks for enterng and best of luck! This was very sad!
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Sheilasbabygal4life,
thanks for reading & commenting. Putting your pets to sleep is heartbreaking; doesn't sound stupid at all but unfortunately sometimes it's the only choice there is, to save them from pain
hugs to your doggies!
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Extraordinary
I think it is such a great poem because it is true (i.e.-A/Ns)
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Ellis,
thank you
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Congratulations ...
This is a very moving poem that would reach the heart of most readers who have any concern for the welfare of any animal in distress. It was so good to see that it was love that made you so sad and that is not a bad thing. May you find comfort as the days gone on. joy
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waydownuponjoy ,
As they say in the Sound of Music, "the love in our hearts wasn't put there to stay. Love isn't love 'til you give it away"
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You have got me in tears, so sad. I was a bit confused at first about who was speaking but managed to figure out that the narrator is you. Very moving -- sorry about the loss of your friend.
Thank you for entering my contest. -
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Judith Chandler ,
I've found that this poem does confuse people from time to time - sorry for that, but thanks for reading and commenting
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Aw, this was completely heart-wrenching. I had tears in my eyes as I finished, and I had to hug my cat. Really, really nice job on this. I'm sorry you had to lose your pet, but life always gos on, and there are many more in the world to love! Great job and keep writing.
- Caroline
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TheSaddestPoet ,
Thank you so much for a lovely comment - and you're right, it's never easy to lose someone we love but that doesn't stop the world spinning for us. Memories are a great gift to have! Thanks for commenting
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Clearly from its awards one that has touched many a reader with every reason to do so
A wonderfully sad piece
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Legend,
thank you for reading and commenting
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First of all, in answer to your question, no they do not have to be human. I said someone close to you and you were obviously very close to your cat.
Now, regarding the poem, it's very well put together. At a glance, it looks like a story rather than a poem, but after reading it, the form and rhyme scheme really suit it well.
You tell a very vivid story here. It's very clear what's going on. The imagery is very clear, I feel like I can see your cat's eyes, and feel your tears.
The emotion is very strong throughout.
Thanks for entering and best of luck in the contest -
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Babesface,
Thanks, I'm relieved to hear that - I know many people wouldn't count cats as accountable in the loss of someone you love [or even just animals as that]
Thanks also for your comments; I'm glad to read that the poem read strongly for you - as it did for me writing it
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I LOVED this. I have a cat too, i love her as a mother would love a child. Great poem.
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< hellzkitkat420,
thanks for reading and commenting; they can become so much more than just mere pets
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I’ve been in this position more times than I can count
This is a heartbreaking piece. Well told. Thanks so much for entering my humble contest. It’s an pleasure and honor to read your wonderful work
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Paloszoo,
thank you - i can only imagine how many time's you've been through this as i remember being on your website before and seeing all your wonderful animals and it never gets any easier, ey?
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