Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Crashing

Write on Edge: RemembeRED
Today we’re trying a little something different. Are you ready? Your word is below. Take the next ten minutes to write about the first single memory that word calls up. Focus on the emotions and the experience, spend ten minutes really exploring that memory. Then wrap it up, publish, and come back to link up.
RemembeRED, Write on Edge, Memoir writing prompt





Crash.

I felt it in my stomach.

The two younger cats were showing undue curiosity about the space on the other side of my end table.  I got up to see what had grabbed their attention.

My oldest, Cat, Herself, Mistress of All She Surveys, was lying on the floor on her side.  Her front legs outstretched, claws scrabbling for purchase on the wood floor.  Her hind legs drawn against her body, not moving.

I touched her gently, she made no sound, didn't acknowledge my presence.  I carefully picked her up, something she despises.  I sat with her in my lap.  She finally looked at me, stood and leapt lightly to the floor again.

She stayed on her feet, though her backside swayed  with each step.  I followed her to the next room.  She jumped to the kitchen counter easily.

Crisis averted?

I don't know.  She is fifteen years old.  I know our time left is short.

I'll be watching her closely.

The next crash will be the breaking of my heart...

9 comments:

  1. This is really touching-I'm glad she was alright, but I can't imagine knowing that day will come sooner rather than later. I hope she is still doing well :-)

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  2. Oh, it's such a hard moment, the first time you see that they are nearing the end--even if the end is still a ways away.

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  3. we have a kitten, about six months old. She has a back injury and has been on heavy medication for weeks. She may be on borrowed time. This post hit me ina special way. Thank you

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  4. I had a cat that was getting old and we knew she was on borrowed time. Her legs stopped working one night and in a panic we took her to the emergency vet. She was okay but she didn't live much longer.

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  5. @AmandaDF
    Thank you, she's still doing fine. Eats everything in sight. I just know time is shorter than I'd like.

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  6. @Cameron
    Thanks Cam, no matter how much you know you'll eventually lose them, it doesn't make it easier.

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  7. @Lance

    I'm so sorry to hear about your kitten, that's even worse. She should have so much longer.

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  8. @Carrie

    I keep telling myself to be ready. But I don't think I really will be.

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  9. And that last line was the money maker.

    Oh, my heart. I have held a hurt animal, an animal at the end of her journey, and felt those thoughts.

    Beautifully rendered.

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