
When I returned home from Brooklyn after visiting my daughter for two weeks, I noticed Ebony had lost weight. Well, she’d always been a little chubby, so I figured now that I was back, she’d start eating again. And she did eat.
However, 72 hours later, at night, she had trouble swallowing and her tongue was hanging out of her mouth. I thought it was an abscessed tooth. I told her how sorry I was she was in discomfort…to hang on until the next morning when I’d take her to the vet and they’d pull the tooth.
Dr. Rose did a physical exam and said it wasn’t a tooth. She only had to take one ex-ray. A huge tumor pressed on Ebony’s stomach, liver, and kidneys. She had trouble eating because there was swelling in the back of her throat. The vet said Ebony would not survive this, so there was only one choice. I had to put her down. I hugged her, kissed her, and stayed with her to the end. Dr. Rose always sings at the very end. She sang, “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” for Ebony.
That song was so appropriate for Ebony. She was sweet, as gentle as a whisper, and affectionate. She had particularly taken to my author friend when Jenna Victoria visited a few months ago. I’m so blessed that Jenna got to know Ebony. She was a dear pet….the epitome of the phrase: on cats’ paws.
After I left the vet’s office, I confronted myself acting as my own accuser. If only…Maybe if I had come back from New York City earlier. Guilt. I should never have misjudged Ebony’s illness and lack of appetite as being caused by missing me. Self-condemnation. After all, I was the one who said ‘yes’ to euthanasia. Judgement. Many people do this. Men feel they should be able to fix all things that aren’t working right. Women feel they should be able to comfort, bolster up, even resuscitate (emotionally and physically) those they love. This certainly includes a beloved pet.
Romans 8:1 [NASB] ~ Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
If there was something we could’ve done better, and there usualy is…we can learn from it for the next situation. In this case, as believers, we must submit to God, repent, accept His forgiveness and grace…walk on and sin no more. Whenever we find ourselves nursing guilt, we must submit to God and push it away. If there was nothing or very little we could’ve done better, again, we must submit to God, and push the truly useless condemnation away. This takes making a quality decision on our parts. The accusation is of the enemy. We must move past it and move on to what God has for us…follow the path He’s set before us.

So sorry you experienced this loss. You are wise to reject the condemnation.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Onisha, She was a dear thing. Not shy, but very quiet. She hated thunderstorms and would hide in a closet. Yet, she was affectionate.
LikeLike
Oh that’s so sad 😦
If you’d like to (and can) would you like to write a little tribute that we could put up in our Saturday guest star of the week series? ❤
LikeLike
Marc, Yes, I would write a little tribute to Ebony. Let me know more.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sorry for your loss. Bless you for staying with her as she slipped from this world to the next. I think of it as God giving us a peek into His domain, where He is Master of life and death for every soul on earth.
LikeLike
God definitely loves animals. He called them “good” and He loves His creation.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amen.
LikeLike
So sorry for your loss, Nike. I had to do the same with our dog last year. Our pets are a joy and comfort when they are with us, and it’s always so hard to let go.
LikeLike
Barbara, It is hard to let go, but I didn’t want her to suffer and she was beginning to suffer. She was such a dear.
LikeLike
Sorry about your beautiful cat. I am sure she had the best life with you a cat could ever wish for.
LikeLike
She had a good life with me. She lived with five other cats and a dog. At one time I was a rescuer. These are the ones I kept.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So sorry to hear about Ebony, Nike. Your post made me cry because I have a 16-year-old fur baby. I don’t want to think about what’s coming. You have a sweet vet! Blessings, my friend. ❤
LikeLike
Gail, Yes, my vet is very nice. It’s actually a low cost veterinary hospital. They also do adoptions. The name is “No More Homless Pets”
LikeLike