On February 7, 2002, I decided that I wanted to adopt a cat. My previous cat that I had, her name was R.C. and she was 10 years old when I had to put her to sleep due to a tumor on her leg that was cancerous.
So my mom and I went to one house with cats and I didn't find anyone I was really interested in so my mom and I drove out to the SPCA.
I looked at the kittens but after having an adult cat for so long I wasn't ready for a hyper kitten. There was this one glass walk in cage area where Anika was and as soon as I went in I picked her up and she began to rub her head against my shoulder and I looked at my mom and I said this is the one. My mom said since I still lived at home I needed to ask my dad for permission and I did and he said it was fine.
So on February 8, 2002 I went back to the SPCA and adopted Anika.
Anika was 2 years old and she was such a sweetie pie. I can remember when I brought her home and I took her back to my room and she was so relaxed. I even clipped her nails that day because they were way to long and she was a trooper and has been since then in letting me do that.
My Annie (I called her that sometimes) was my best friend; I adopted her as a V-Day gift to myself and for her too.
I can't believe that was with me for only 6 years, it seemed so much longer, she was with me through a lot of stuff in my life, my first move out of my parent’s house, and a second move in with my husband. So many memories in those 6 years it just doesn't feel like it was long enough. I know eventually all of my babies will pass over the RB but I just didn't expect it, it happened so fast.
But on Monday, Oct. 6th 2008 Anika was put to sleep at 4 pm.
As most of you know the vet called me at 9 a.m. and said she wanted Anika to stay the day at the office so she could observe her.
So I left work at 9 a.m. drove home and grabbed Anika and put her in the cat carrier, never realizing that, that would be the last time I ever put in her in the cat carrier. On the way to the vets, she cried and I felt bad for her and I can remember putting my hands in her cage and she just rubbed her face on my hands and I told her she didn't have to worry that she would be coming home.
I had no idea that she wouldn't be. The vet called me about 1:30 pm and told me that it wasn't good and that she was yellow from the jaundice which she didn't have last week when I had her at the vets and if they did do an exploratory surgery they didn't think she would survive. But she said that would be a sure way of knowing if she might have chronic pancreatitis (with that comes long term treatment and Anika might not survive the treatment) or what is really going on with her liver. The other thing I remember her telling me is that she has seen other cases like this and most chances are it is cancer and right now she needed intensive care right away, meaning IV's and tubes in her nose.
The vet said if I wanted to I could take her home for 1-2 days and then decide what my husband and I would like to do. So I was at work when I received that call and had to call my husband to discuss everything the vet said and we decided it was in her best interest to put her down.
It was so weird though because Sunday evening and I filled up the food bowls and I offered her a few pieces on the bed where she was lying and she ate 5 pieces, I was so excited I thought maybe she would improve but sadly she didn't. She even lost 1/2 lb since she was weighed in last Monday and the vet said she was very dehydrated.
I left work at 2 pm on Monday and came home to get my husband and went over to my mom's to let her know what was going on and she came a long as well and we left for the vets and we got to visit with her for about 1 hour before hand while crying and just petting her.
Then the vet came by and she said if we were ready we would start the process. She went over everything that was about to happen to her and I just kept thinking to myself I can't believe it has come to do this. The vet went over the whole process and she began and it broke my heart even more, but she did go peacefully and I was able to give her several kisses and just petted her over and over and told her how much I loved her and I was so sorry for having to do it. Meanwhile my husband kept reminding me there was nothing to be sorry about but I felt like there was.
Last night I cried myself to sleep it was so hard lying on the bed without her. Anika always slept in between my legs since I got her and Claudia usually sleeps on my pillow.
I missed her so much last night and even today I'm looking around for her and she's not on the bed where she's been.
I lit a candle tonight by Anika's picture, I've never done that before but I kept thinking maybe that will help by keeping her alive here with us even though she's probably playing with my other cat R.C. and all the PT cats here as well.
Anika you will be missed so much, you were the best cat I've ever had and you were always so friendly.
May you be free playing over the rainbow bridge and one day Mommy will see you again and love you and be able to hold you in her arms again.
Rest in peace baby I love you.
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But they can sure bury themselves in our hearts. And that is where she will live, for eternity, deep in your heart.
Heaven is the place of final and complete happinees God has prepared for us----and if animals are necessary to make us happy in heaven, then you can be sure God will have them there. Reverend Billy Graham
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