Pixie passed yesterday
By ElicBxn
@ElicBxn (63252)
United States
November 16, 2009 11:16pm CST
I could swear I talked about my friend "J's" cat who was diabetic, how she had a diabetic coma 2 yrs ago (in Sept of 07) but recovered.
Well, sadly, she passed yesterday. J knew it was coming. Had actually planned on taking her to the vet on Thursday to have her PTS, but Pixie wasn't waiting for her convenience.
She had noticed she didn't come for food yesterday and I guess that got her looking.
She found her, but because J broke her hand (actually her mother injured it with her handicapped scooter) she couldn't move the chair and move the body at the same time.
She called me at 2:18 a.m., in tears, asking if I would come over and move the chair and retrieve the body for her.
Well, how could I say "no". I pulled on some pants, got on my shoes and headed out into the stormy night to help a friend.
Because she had moved what she could out of the way, retrieving the body only took about 5 minutes. I wrapped it in a towel she provided and she had cleaned out the freezer to put the body.
She asked if I knew where she could get Pixie cremated at. Well, I told her at the vets. Understand, I recommended this vet to her in the first place...
Then she asked if I would go with her today to take the body.
"Of course," I told her. "Now, they open at 7, so give them a call then."
I went home, by now it had actually stopped raining.
Of course, I was too keyed up to get right back to sleep. I was up until around 4 or later.
After I got back to sleep, I woke up a few times, once with a SPLITTING headache - so I rolled over and went back to sleep.
Just after 7, I woke up again, this time the headache had abated, and just as I was rolling back over, the phone rang.
It was J again, asking when I wanted to go with her to the vet.
I told her after I got off would be better - a morning person I'm not (and neither is J.)
So, this afternoon, when I got off work, I called J and asked if she'd like me to pick her up (why do gas to her apartment twice?)
She agreed.
I knew that as soon as we went to pull her body out, the tears would start - actually, they started before...
She cried all the way to the vets. Now you know WHY I was driving - right?
I stopped so she could grab a bite to eat on the way back to her job and she was only a few minutes late (she'd've been much later if we had met at her apartment.)
So, would you get up in the middle of the night for a friend? Would you drive him/her to the vet? Or do you have a friend that would do that for you?
Don't you wish I were your friend?
11 people like this
17 responses
@minx267 (15527)
• Hartford, Connecticut
17 Nov 09
Yes, to all of your questions.
I would do that myself. And you are such a great friend!
What a sad story. I have gone through it too many times myself. It is always good to have someone to lean on.
I was a little opposite though when I had to put my dogs down.
I knew I had to drive. And my roommate who was willing to go would have been blubbering the whole way there and back. _ I needed to have a clear head to drive and couldn't deal with her distraction. Don't get me wrong I Cried my eyes out at the vet. They left the room for 15 minutes When I put down my Ka'vik until I could compose myself.. But I also needed to drive home and arrive in one piece.
Besides it was always just me and my 2 dogs against the world and I think I liked it to be just us when they left too. When I put Down my T.K. (who had cancer) I brought Ka'vik with me and it was just the 3 of us- I think he needed to know what happened and it helped him deal with it.
On his last day. I got him into the van (by myself) - which was a little rough as he hadn't walked in 6 months and used to be a 75 pound dog. And I took him to the park and opened the side door so he could just stare out at the beautiful lawn and it was a gorgeous day! And I just sat with him for a long time before we made it to the Vet.
My 3rd dog however - I called my friend to come with me. I had a hard time with that decision and to this day do not like to think about it. I still have flashbacks often. I cried for a week straight. I still think that I could have done something else and Will always regret what I had to do that day.
It is always good to have a friend around. She is lucky to have you.
3 people like this
@ElicBxn (63252)
• United States
18 Nov 09
I knew from the vet what would happen to The Doctor if I didn't decide to put him to sleep. I didn't want to see him like that and chose, after a week of not eating except to lick a little baby food off my finger, that it was time.
I have always had to drive to the vets myself, never had anyone else to do it for me, so I just put myself in another place - so to speak. I stay dry eyed pretty much up to the actual event. Still, its so hard to say good bye, even when its the kindest thing to do.
@minx267 (15527)
• Hartford, Connecticut
18 Nov 09
I agree. With My T.K. I came home from 3rd shift job and I was to go to my part time job (at a kennel) and when I got home and my poor T.K. couldn't even stand on her own. I felt Horrible.. I called my kennel job (thank god they are all animal lovers)
crying because I knew I had to put her down that day.. I knew she was getting worse for the last week or so.. but that wasn't enough time for me to prepare.. I just laid with her on her bed for the few hours until the vet appt.
She was just the most perfect gentle little lady dog.. that cancer thing was not fair. Everyone that ever met her loved her instantly.
I did all my crying before we left the house- so I could make it to the Vet in one piece.:)
My Veeky was so much harder I think because he was just 2 weeks after My mother passed away and I didn't know it yet. but 2 weeks before my father passed.. (he was in the hospital and I was so stressed - I just cried for everyone!
That was the worst month of my life...
Thank God it's behind me.:)
1 person likes this
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
17 Nov 09
awwwwwwwwww...I hope Pixie went peacefully. Cats usually do but I often wonder if they are in pain when they go. That was so thoughtful of you to help retrieve her body and put it in the freezer and then go with her owner to the vet. Yes, I would do this for a friend if I was already up. See, once I'm sleeping, nothing wakes me up so if a friend needed me like this, I would hope I was awake when they call. You are my friend, Elic, and I'm sure if we lived close to each other, you would do this for me just like I would for you. Heck, when you were moving that cabinet into the house, I would of been helping ya had I been there, not just standing by watching.
2 people like this
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
17 Nov 09
Only bad thing about that, which could be a good thing, is that I would end up sneaking a cat home every time I visited. :-)
3 people like this
@Maggiepie (7816)
• United States
17 Nov 09
[b]
Blackbriar, there was a saying among the 60's hippies that reminds me of: "Take two; they're small!" 
Do you know the origin of that joke?
Maggiepie
"WHERE'S THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE?"[/b]
Blackbriar, there was a saying among the 60's hippies that reminds me of: "Take two; they're small!" Do you know the origin of that joke?
Maggiepie
"WHERE'S THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE?"[/b]2 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (45685)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
17 Nov 09
Today's tip of the week on Cat Age talks about diabetes in cats.
http://www.catage.com/care/tipoftheweek.aspx
1 person likes this
@newzealtralian (3930)
• Australia
17 Nov 09
It is always sad to lose a pet, but I have to say, that cat must have had personality. Wasn't going to let J make the decision about when it was 'time to go'. It was on Pixie's terms, which is the way it should always be.
You are a great friend to get up in the middle of the night like that. I hope J knows how lucky she is to have someone like you there for them.
I'm the kind of person who would help out if I could, but I can't drive, so not sure how that would work. Unfortunately, the friends I've had have been the kind to think only of themselves and not care if someone else genuinely needed help, so I have learnt to rely on myself, and myself only.
2 people like this
@ElicBxn (63252)
• United States
18 Nov 09
I think J knows it, and when I needed a ride home from the hospital last year, she picked me up on very short notice.
I know the roomie would do it if she could, but she doesn't drive either - there's this silly rule about blind people driving...
1 person likes this
@newzealtralian (3930)
• Australia
18 Nov 09
LOL. I'm around, just not actively involved as much as I should be. I seem to suffer from fried brain these days! LOL.
Yes, the no blind driving rule. Could that be because sighted drivers can't see?
1 person likes this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
17 Nov 09
U are a very good friend to do that. It was very kind of u. Yes, i wish u were my friend. i wouls do the same for u or any of my friends if they needed me & fell they would do the same for me. Good friends are great & hard to come by anymore. most of my friends i have had forever. I like to make new friends but really don't get out enough to have the opportunity to do that. I know she must appreciate you. Have a good one.
1 person likes this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
18 Nov 09
I know u would & i'm the same way, helping prople is a good thing. have a good wed.
1 person likes this
@tamarafireheart (15384)
•
17 Nov 09
Hi Elic,
I am so very soory Pixie has passed away and gone off to Rainbow Bridge, I could feel for her as I have lost many cats before and its very hard, but its the best thing for Pixie as she was suffering, your friend is going to be grieving for a while now and I know you will be with her for support, you are a very good friend.
I told you, you are a saint, and yes I wish you lived near me too, once my friend called us around 2.a.m because she broke up with her husband and she was in tears so we got up from bed and drove round to her house, we stayed with her till the sun came up and later in the day came home, I've done for her many times.
Tamara
2 people like this
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
18 Nov 09
I am so sorry for your Friends loss
Yes I would get up in the middle of the Night to help a Friend and have done a few times to
You are my Friend Elic but it would be great if you lived closer
I hope that your Friend will be ok, I know how much it hurts to loose a loving Pet
@scarlet_woman (23465)
• United States
17 Nov 09
aww:(
one of my previous was diabetic.
my condolences to your friend.
if i drove,of course i would help someone.
you're a great friend
1 person likes this
@Loverbear (4918)
• United States
17 Nov 09
First, please extend my condolences to "J" at the passing of Pixie. Nothing hurts worse than to have a much loved furry buddy pass away.
Yes, I would and have gotten up in the middle of the night for a friend. I hate to say how many times...but that's what friends are for. It's like the number of times I have hauled friends (and my bf) to the ER! (I shouldn't start up about hauling friends and my bf to the ER, talk about superstitious! My BF and I seem to take turns at needing to go to the ER. The last time was my turn, when I fractured my back when I fell on Oct 12th. Hopefully my BF won't need to go for a long while... his accidents are as dumb as mine are!
I know that when my beloved Murphy goes, I will totally come unglued. She was a birthday gift from my late mother 16 years ago, and Murphy is my last attachment to Mom. But right now Murphy is her irascible grouchy self who complains even when I pet her...but I love that little grouch so much! Plus it is so special to me that she curls up beside my head each night to purr me to sleep...it's like Mom is there with me. I haven't had too much luck with cats living past 7 years old, and Murphy has broken the chain of bad luck...so I treasure her even more.
Again, the whole herd and I send our condolences at Pixie's passing. Each of us with furry buddies feel the pain.
My BF and I seem to take turns at needing to go to the ER. The last time was my turn, when I fractured my back when I fell on Oct 12th. Hopefully my BF won't need to go for a long while... his accidents are as dumb as mine are!
I know that when my beloved Murphy goes, I will totally come unglued. She was a birthday gift from my late mother 16 years ago, and Murphy is my last attachment to Mom. But right now Murphy is her irascible grouchy self who complains even when I pet her...but I love that little grouch so much! Plus it is so special to me that she curls up beside my head each night to purr me to sleep...it's like Mom is there with me. I haven't had too much luck with cats living past 7 years old, and Murphy has broken the chain of bad luck...so I treasure her even more.
Again, the whole herd and I send our condolences at Pixie's passing. Each of us with furry buddies feel the pain.
1 person likes this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
17 Nov 09
At least she's in Heaven now and feeling no more pain. Gosh, I'm so sorry Elic but at least she led a long and happy life (at least that's what I gather)
Yes I would get up in the middle of the night for a friend. In fact, I have a number of times but the one that sticks out in my mind the most is when a friend of mine called me in need of help but she was 4 hours away and yet, my boyfriend at the time and I drove all the way down to get her, had to find her which took about another hour or so and brought her all the back home which ended up being about a 9 hour trip. My boyfriend had to work the next morning so he climbed into the back of my truck and went to sleep. If THAT isn't a loyal friend, I don't know what would be. lol I had a friend wake up for me and babysit a friends children that I had with me for safe keeping so that hubby and I could go to the kids house and clean like mad all night long because they lived on base and were due for an inspection the next day due to a shooting inside their home. The second in age sister accidentally shot her oldest sister in the neck. Long story but we got their house all clean but it took four of us all night to get it done.
1 person likes this
@Maggiepie (7816)
• United States
17 Nov 09
[b]I thank God constantly for your incredible friendship. I've got to be the most-blessed person I know to know you, & for you to call me friend. You know I'll do whatever I can for you. I would give you a kidney, blood, or even a bone marrow transplant, if you needed it. I'd take a bullet for you, & everyone knows it.
So I don't have to wish you were my friend, you already are. And I appreciate you so much I can't even express it! You were literally (a word you know I've never confused with "figuratively!") the answer to a heart-felt prayer.
You saved my life, & restored my belief in love & humanity.
I declare it here before all of MyBot.
Which is, by the way, yet another thing for which I have you to thank! 
Maggiepie
"WHERE'S THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE?"[/b]
Maggiepie
"WHERE'S THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE?"[/b]1 person likes this
@scififan43 (2434)
• United States
23 Nov 09
I hate to hear what happen to Pixie. I do not have any pets of my own, howerver my gf has 3 dogs. I have been to the vet with her, once douring an pet emerecy. she was glad I was with here but she was the one who drove. but she was glad I was there. I think I would do the same as you to help a friend in need as well.
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
17 Nov 09
I sure do! You did such a nice gesture for your friend, helping her at such a difficult time. Just before I came across your discussion I was talking to my husband about one of my cats who has been sick and may be heading towards the end of his life and my husband said that if the need arises to take the cat to the vet so that he can be put to sleep he would do it for me and I got to thinking how nice it is to have someone help during situations such as these.
Your friend is lucky to have you and I hope she feels better soon although there is a grieving period she will need to go through. May little Pixie rest in peace.
1 person likes this
@rjvb26 (2518)
• Philippines
19 Nov 09
O i feel sad for that cat, anyway i am sure that cat is in good hands now and that cat is now at on the promise land. It is really sad to loose a pet, specially a very sweet and smart cat. But you know if it is really her time we cannot do something about it but to accept it, anyway i am sure you and your friend can find a much better and cute cat or the same. Of course i want you to be my friend, who will not? Your a selfless friend who will do anything just to make other people happy.
