Talk Cancer

Question:

I’m trying to understand why I am so obsessed with this animal.  Is it a sickness?  I don’t believe so.  I am so comforted by other people who have written similar thoughts as mine about theirs.  Have we been taught to objectify them?  They are more than inanimate objects-far more.   They are so aware.  They are spirits with souls.  I fault modern science for not yet proving so.  The progress of human consciousness as a whole with regard to the value of creatures of all size and make has yet to reach that critical mass point.  The value of life itself is what drives me-I believe.  How can life be shortened by such an unfortunate disease as Albert’s.  The reality of it is so ugly.  I want to scream out to God with all my being.  I feel Albert is leaving me.    

If loving and caring for our fellow creatures ever becomes considered a sickness then our world really will have become a sad place, indeed. You are obsessed because you love your little friend as he has loved you. I am wishing for the best of luck for all of you. Andy

Response:

Hello Rick, Michele, Just one thought – I read somewhere to warm the fluids before injecting – but I’m sure you know about that. Your thoughts on Albert are the most normal thing in the world. When two of my three cats were diagnosed with CRF two weeks ago, I went into panic mode. I cried for a week and could barely look at my kitties for fear of detecting symptoms.  I am so afraid of losing them.  In addition, one of my best friends was diagnosed with cancer at age 43, the boyfriend of my collegue has an inoperable brain tumor at age 30-something. Meaning: I’ve been thinking about life and  death a lot lately.  Something our culture has alienated itself from.  And I’m beginning to cope with the thought that death is something that belongs to life. Saying good-bye is the part that’s so hard. And I don’t care whether we’re dealing with an animal or a human being here. I also spend all the time I can with my kitties, I cuddle with them, I talk to them all the time, and when I cry, THEY come and comfort ME! See, they don’t know what’s happening to them, but they cope with sickness and death so much better than we humans do. And I am confident my furry friends will let me know when it’s time to let them go. All the best to you and Albert.   Warm hugs and headbutts. Elke       – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -June 15, 1997 Allow me to first say thanks to all those on the usenet who have written me beautiful and informative letters about their personal experiences with their cats with CRF.  You are my virtual support group! Albert has been home since Thursday.  I am feeding him and staying with him as much as I can.  He hasn’t thrown up yet.  We’re gonna give him his next fluid injection tonight.  He doesn’t like it but I’m trying to explain to him that he has to endure the pain.  I know he thinks I’m nothing but a stupid human so how would I know anyway