At Rainbow Bridj: Gretchen Marie 1989-2005

I spoke to the vet this morning who said GM had a bad episode that
almost put her in cardiac arrest. TED suggested I come and visit her,
suggesting that they draw blood today to check her white/red counts and
then I could take her home tomorrow. They thought she might be less
stressed out at home. We talked about this at length. I finally
concluded that the blood test would tell us what we already knew., that
an antibiotic injection on Monday, another on Tuesday, plus intravenous
feeding and antibiotics for three days had not improved her. She had
rallied briefly but could not gain strength.

They brought her to me. She was breathing heavily, could not stand and
had difficulty moving much at all. I was at TED's for two hours,
talking to them and hearing possibilities from them. They would leave
me alone with her, then we would talk again. At one point, I had my
face next to GM's and she started whimpering. I told her that I
"got the message" and asked the vet to put her down. I could have
taken her home one more time, but I honestly would not have been able
to watch her being so miserable. GM was on a towel on the table and
she managed to get up and turn her back to me. I moved the towel
around so we would be face-o-face again. She did this twice more. I
think that was another clear message that she wanted to turn her back
on being so sick. So TED injected her and she left us in just a few
seconds, looking absolutely beautiful. I have no doubt that I made the
right decision. Whatever overtook her did so with a vengeance and I
don't believe she could have overcome it.

There is a big happy party going on at the Bridj tonight. And there
are a couple of hoomins--my late niece Patti and my friend Kath
Lyons--who are taking turns holding her.

Thank you again for all your thoughts, prayers and purrs. I feel her
around me constantly but I have never felt so alone.

Arlene, proud meowmie to
Gretchen Marie House of Knop