. . . and the iridescent image swims
through a mirror that flows.”
Stanley Kunitz (The Atlantic, 1970)
from “King of the River”
Until We Meet Again, Dear Friend
Her cries are barely audible. She is tired. It’s been days since she’s been able to drink. She sits and looks at the water, so thirsty. She looks away, looking for me.
She’s fur and bones with a willingness to continue. She staggers to the couch, too weak to pull herself up now. She crouches, waiting. I lift her fragile frame onto the quilt and then the quilt over to my lap. She tries to find a way to lie that doesn’t hurt. She rests her face against my left hand as my right softly smooths the thin fur on her ears and head.
She’s waiting. She trusts I’ll know when.
In the morning, we go to the person with her ending. As the third, pink, fluid from the syringe enters her catheter she ascends; and the iridescent image swims through a mirror that flows.
Afterword: after Dotty’s increasingly difficult struggle with invasive cancer, I had to make a decision yesterday.
Dora is today’s host of dVerse’ Prosery Monday. Dora wants us to write to the top quote.
Tao-Talk 
Oh Lisa. This is heartbreaking and I’m so sorry for you both. Poor Dotty has suffered enough. It’s terribly difficult but you’re doing the right thing. It’s time for her to rest. ♡
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<3 <3 <3 Nancy one of the toughest decisions I ever had to make, but I believe you're right, it was the right thing, to let her rest.
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My heart goes out to you, Li. I know how hard it must have been for you — it was difficult enough to read of it — and it was right to show mercy to spare more suffering. May Dotty’s little soul rest in peace and the love that is eternal, until you see her again.
(P.S. I admire the way you used the Kunitz quote in such a context. To me, it was the flow of tears as well as the gentle flow of the catheter, each a mirror of loss.)
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Dora, thank you for your condolences. The quote was perfect for the reality of Dotty’s passing. <3
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May you be comforted, Li.
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This was heartbreaking 💔.
It’s never a easy decision, but the right one.
Until you meet again..
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<3 Thank you for your condolences, Maggie.
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I’m so sorry. The poem is a beautiful memorial of the hard time…we’re so much more present in these moments
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Catherin, thank you for the kind words.
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Hugs
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I’m sorry Lisa…she will live on within you…and you with her.
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<3 Max, thank you for being here for me today. Your support influenced the manifestation of the poem.
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Any time Lisa…and thank you.
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Aw : )
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I’m so sorry, Lisa. Such a heartbreaking decision to help them cross over the bridge. Rest in purrs to Dotty… always in your heart 🐾💔
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<3 Paula, thank you. I know you've been there. Yes, she will be.
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My condolences, Lisa. This is a feeling I recall from many, many years ago when a similar decision had to be made. I know you will cherish her memory forever, and you will see her again.
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Bruce, back in 2016, when my dog, Chaun, got to a terrible suffering place, I didn’t have the courage to take him in. I thank my ex for being here then. With Dotty, it was up to me. Sorry you had to go through it, but you were there for your beloved, and they appreciated it, I’m sure. I do feel her with me and I do want to see her and my other passed loved ones again. May it come to pass <3
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💗🙏
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I am so sorry for your loss, Lisa. I know you will greatly miss her! Well done on the prosery!
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Dwight, thank you for your condolences. One of the toughest writes ever but makes me feel less pain by pouring it into words sharing it.
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Writing is good therapy it seems! (( ))
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<3
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Oh no, Lisa, I’m so sorry. I also know what it means to put a pet down. About six years ago, we found ourselves in a similar situation with one of our Yorkie ladies. She had cancer metastases all over her tiny body. There was just no way to save her, and keeping her alive at some point would have made her suffer. We didn’t want this to happen.
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Christian, I know exactly what you mean about prolonging life equating to much more suffering. They did the major surgery/biopsy last year and she had staples the entire length of her body. They said I could opt to put her through chemotherapy and I knew it would be torturing her. I tried to make this last year as pleasant as possible. Poor little thing was literally fur and bones at the end. I imaging your Yorkie it would be the same situation. It really is kindness to let them go. They will keep going in their love for you. Sorry you had to let her go. Thanks for your kindness and support.
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❤️
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I’m so sorry Lisa. So sad for you. So kind for her. She’s still there you know. Just out of the corner of your eye. She won’t go completely.
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I appreciate the condolences, Steve. I believe you are right. Tuesday night I swore I could hear critters running on the roof, and it very well could have been her and her friends.
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❤️
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I am so-so sorry… Pets are family and it feels very painful to lose them like that. But it’s a beautifully written story.
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Reelika, thank you. Yes, it is ongoing pain in losing her. I hope it lessens with time. Thanks on the story.
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Beautifully told but heartbreaking. ❤️💔
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<3
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So sorry for your loss dear friend. Hugs.
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Sadje, thank you very much. Dotty was my night time buddy, when I watch TV. M’lady runs when the TV is turned on.
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Pets are family and their loss hits hard. Hugs 🥰
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<3
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Oh, I am so sorry for the loss of Dottie, my friend. I know too well this whole scenario. Sending you much love. You wrote this beautifully.
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Dale, thank you for the kind words <3
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💔❤️🩹💞
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Oh Lisa, I am so sorry. I remember what it was like with Mojo when she couldn’t eat drink or groom. I can feel the heartbreak in your words. I’m thinking of you.
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Kim, I know it wasn’t long ago that you lost little Mojo. Thanks so much for your kind words and for thinking of me.
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Always…
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That is hard to read, so moving. And doubly so for me as we are soon to make that journey with one of our woofers who is past her estimated age span. So difficult even though it is necessary etc.
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Paul, sorry to hear you will be going through this journey with your beloved woofer soon. {{{HUGS}}}
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Sometimes it is the last loving gift we can give. Aching though it is. All the best to you.
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Thanks much, Josie.
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