Sometimes the most humane thing you can do in the face of cancer is nothing.

About a month ago, I awoke to feel my 16 year old cat, Shadow, trembling and twitching on the bed beside me. She saw me open my eyes and struggled to stand up only to collapse in a heap. Instantly awake, I picked her up and held her to my chest. “What’s wrong baby girl?!” I whispered. Her whole body was contorting and she stared at me with wide eyes. Holding her more tightly I willed the twitching to stop. It slowed as she relaxed into my embrace. I held her, tears running down my face. What was wrong?

After an eternity, I got up and placed her on the ground so that I could get dressed. She attempted to stand, swayed and fell. Her cries came soft and scared. After some struggle, she was able to get all four paws beneath her before a tremendous spasm shook her off her feet again. Continue reading »

6 weeks ago we had a healthy 5.5 year old black lab/hound mix named Midnight. She bounced eagerly in place when I came in the front door, waiting for me to pet her shiny black head and tickle her under her belly and then to race to the back door to play ball in the yard.

6 weeks ago we had a dog who would make near acrobatic moves to catch a ball in one instant and climb into your lap as if she was only 10 pounds of puppy in the next.

6 weeks ago we had a dog that we were considering training for therapy work. She was so gentle that people everywhere would squeal in delight to see her – “Midnight’s here!”

Continue reading »