May 28, 2007

Closure

As part of our very nice weekend downstate, we finally got the chance to bring Sophie to the place we wanted to leave her. One of her choice spots was along the creek trail at McCormick's Creek. Even though she loathed having baths or being hosed down in the backyard, she loved strolling in stream beds, lounging in fountains, and wallowing in roadside mud puddles.

lounging in a random fountain somewhere outside of Champaign-Urbana

Sunday morning was beautiful, sunny, and quiet. The creek trail is very fun to hike, as a good portion of the trail is just the creek itself. As you hike upstream from the spot shown below, limestone walls rise on either side to tower over the creek and you reach a series of small waterfalls, then a big 'un. There's a bend in the creek with wide, flat expanses of rock shelf that are either dry or just underwater, depending on the water level. That's where Sophie is now.

Walk upstream a bit and it bends off to the right.
This is where we left her.

I was actually glad to get her out of her temporary accommodations. When I picked up her remains several months ago, they were handed to me in a horrible, dog-bone-shaped, cookie tin, the outside of which was decorated with sad-eyed basset hounds, kittens, and fluttering butterflies. It was handed to me in a nice, respectful, somber manner, so I held my tongue, but I was thinking, 'You've got to be kidding me. You put Sophie in this saccharine, Hallmark crapfest of a funereal receptacle? Definitely not her style.'

I still miss her something fierce. I think I'm still a "dog" person and there will probably be more dogs in my future, but not anytime soon.

Posted at 04:52 PM
Comments

I can relate. A little over 1 week ago, our cat P.B. (formally named by you as Bane) died. Long story short, she had some growths (4) around her mouth, and the vet recommended pulling nearly all her teeth. I figured that was the worst of it, but when she wouldn't eat, even after a couple IV's, the vet recommended that they feed her with a tube after temporarily knocking her out with gas. Sadly, she died while under the gas, and at least "I" was totally unprepared (mainly because she seemed more or less ok beforehand). Too sad to be angry with the vet, we had her cremated, and buried her near the barn just this past Sunday. Thankfully, she didn't come in a plastic doggy bone, but the velvet bag did have a lame LAME story about meeting again after we cross the Rainbow Bridge", and the bag itself had something to that effect stiched across it.

Our other cat seems ok, though the vet had to pull 4 teeth. My future vet policy is: don't go to the vet. At least with older cats.

(final note, aside from horrible breath and a wacked out lip, PB seemed normal pre-vet visit. I'll never again do something so drastic to a pet.)

Posted by: b at 09:44 AM May 29

What a beautiful place, Adam. Eternal beauty. I understand your choice and I am glad you got there. I have not yet brought Asland's ashes to where I want him to be. But it is a similar concept as yours, as my choice place FOR ME has always been a waterfall in my fav park in NY- and that is where I plan to bring Asi. I am sad for your loss, but I see such beauty and peace where Sophie has been brought. ;) xoxo -R

Posted by: Robin at 11:23 AM May 30