The Cost of Dying

A Good Samaritan called our animal control division after they witnessed a cat thrown out of a car at Lake Remembrance. We responded to the call bringing in a skeletal, geriatric, matted mess of a cat. The cats kindness and love for humans was equal to, if not greater than his horrific condition and emaciated state.

Kitty’s matting was severe and required an emergency medical groom. He was a prisoner in his own skin- fur tightly pulling from his skin relentlessly, restricting extremity range of motion, causing massive bruising. We wanted to take a negative and turn it into a positive, releasing him from his fur imprisonment marked a new beginning for Matt the Cat. Let’s emotionally AND physically leave the past behind, and focus on the future.

Turns out that Matt is in the beginning stages of kidney failure. His length of time left on earth is unknown- it may be a long while, it may not. What we do know is he deserves to enjoy what life he does have left. We have made him a hospice patient. We will continue to provide all of his medical care, and monitor his quality of life carefully.

We often receive very sick animals into our rescue that have been dumped. We’re left questioning when did life become so disposable? In this particular case, the cat was obviously sick. A compassionate euthanasia, surrounded by family members that love the kitty would not have been a wrong choice. But instead, geriatric Matt was thrown from a car in a visibly sick state. What good was expected to come from dumping a sick cat outside to fend for himself?

It’s important to remember that even in Matt’s current state, he still has a lot left to offer. His love is unconditional, he shows gratitude, he is happy to wake up each and every day. He gives great purpose to his foster providing care for him. And he is here to serve as a reminder to care for those unable to do so for themselves, as you never know when that will be you in Matt’s situation. Have you helped others in need when you were able over the course of your lifetime, so that perhaps when the time comes that you need to be cared for, Karma will help you out? Life is precious, short, and finite - we need to respect it, and appreciate the lessons that can be learned from all stages of life.

Thank you Kristi Branstetter for having the courage to hospice foster! Falling in love is hardest, when you know how it ends. You are Matt’s guardian angel!😇