BEAR REUNITED WITH HOLLY MARCH 31, 2012

Holly RIP June 22, 2010 and her brother Bear RIP March 31, 2012
Inseparable in life and together once more

Bear went over the Rainbow Bridge at 1:00 MDT on March 31, 2012.  The next day would have marked the 12th anniversary of his coming to his forever home with me.  He was almost 13 and I had every expectation he would grow to a ripe old age of 20+, but it was not to be.  Bear was diagnosed with nasal cancer on January 3, 2012 and we had hoped that chemotherapy would give him a good remission, perhaps even a year.  Again, it was not to be.  He responded poorly to chemo, and even though the tumor shrank, his health and quality of life deteriorated significantly.  He developed diabetes and lost his appetite.  The last few months he slept all day in the guest room and all night with me, seldom even coming out to see what was going on in other areas of the house.  I celebrated the times he ate and walked around, but they were so ptifully few.   A week before he died I took him off chemo and even that did not improve his energy or interest in life.  I think he was sick and tired of feeling bad and of the injections and numerous pills.  He seemed to look at me with such a longing to be done with this chapter. 

On Saturday, March 31, Bear developed other symptoms that were so humiliating to him.  I washed him and took him for his last hated car ride.   His regular vet clinic was Mountainwood Pet Hospital in Windsor, which was where Drs. Arun Rustgi and Roger Brown were the first to realize something was very wrong with Bear's breathing in January.  From there he was referred to Peak Veterinary Specialists for further diagnosis and treatment.  Dr. Ellen Miller led a valiant fight for Bear's remission after the nasal cancer was discovered, but he was not strong enough.   It was at Mountainwood that Bear went over the Rainbow Bridge.  Dr. Roger Brown and my sister Stacie, the clinic's practice manager, were there to guide him on his way.  My sister Terri, who had known Bear from the day he arrived, was also there and brother-in-law Larry and his dog Bentley came to say goodbye.  It was a gut-wrenching decision for me and a peaceful passing for Bear.   I was able to hold him through it all and am comforted with the knowledge that until his last breath, this cat knew he was loved dearly.  I can't thank Dr. Roger and Stacie enough for their professional and personal support and their gentle approach to this process.

Meanwhile, back at home there is grief and loneliness from Bear's younger "brother."

Bear and Aidan Patrick 2011

After Holly died in 2010, a little brother called Aidan came to be with Bear.  They formed a nice friendship, but it was not anything like Bear's bonding with Holly, his forever partner.  Nevertheless, Aidan Patrick has been far more affected by Bear's loss than I expected.  He will not go into the room where Bear spent the last several months, but parks himself in the hall near there so he can keep an eye out for Bear's return.  He clings to me and follows me around the house, vocalizing loudly.  I wonder if he's asking when big brother will be coming home.  It is heartbreaking...

Aidan will need a companion, but it's very hard to think of that right now.  Anyone who has lost a beloved pet knows the pain is so very hard to bear.  Godspeed to Bear, my Prince of Cats.