Yesterday morning at 5.30 am, my cat Phantom collapsed.
After being moved to the laundry, he lay there until 8 am, occasionally calling out, unable to close his eyes and on one occasion, attempting to stand up.
I had come to a final decision, this was the end of his 11 years and the best way for him to go was to be euthanized.
My mother and I took him to the vet.
"He wouldn't make it to tomorrow" the veterinarian said.
A final goodbye, it was time to leave.
In the evening, on the way to the vet, there was a vote.
3 - 1.
He was to be buried, not cremated.
"We're here to pick up Phantom's remains" my mother said.
A woman scurried away.
The small mat we took him on was handed to my father, towels wrapping something.
It was him.
I carried him home, one final final trip.
The last time he was in my lap.
I got out and placed on the table.
I dug
My father dug
My brother dug.
When it was deep enough, we placed him.
Hopefully this will be his final resting place.
A few words were said
The tears said more.
The dirt piled on until the hole was filled.
The last time we will see him, until the Rainbow Bridge.
A poem/prose in memory of my cat Phantom's final day, 1995 - 2006. May his soul rest in peace.
Written on October 25th