Before I moved out here last year, I took both Levi and Dallas in for check-ups and shots. It was at this visit that Dallas was diagnosed w/breast cancer. After running a more comprehensive blood panel, they also determined that she was in renal failure. Having lost both Shaky and Zeke to CRF, I was not about to lose my Sweet Pea to the same damned disease.
Dallas' doctor and I came up with a game plan-come out w/all guns firing. After spending 3 days in the hospital on IV fluids, the vet determined it was safe enough to proceed with the surgery to remove the tumor. Because cancer tends to metastasize easily in both humans and cats, the decision was made to remove the entire mammary chain (the equivalent of a complete mastectomy rather than just lump removal). As you can imagine, the surgery was rough; Dallas developed complications that are common after surgery, even for people....fluid build-up around the lungs, for example. What made this time so much more difficult was that I was going through the end stages of the divorce and not even living w/Dallas at the time. In the end, she came through the surgery and only ended up popping one staple.
Several weeks later, both Dallas and Levi were with me in the moving van, driving to New Orleans to begin our new life. My Baby Girl endured constant trials in our attempt to manage the renal failure-daily fluid injections, meds of every kind put down her throat, routine bouts of nausea and vomiting, recurring ulcers and constipation-you name it, and she had it. Through all the treatments and side effects, though, Dallas bared everything w/strength and grace.
Dallas was my rock and my touchstone. She was my 20th birthday present and I chose her specifically. I can remember the day I got her, exactly what I was wearing, and how I felt holding her the first time. She slept curled up in the top of my overalls ALL the way to the vet to be checked out! Ronnie frequently made quips that I loved her more than I did him, and sitting here right now, it's hard to say such a statement ISN'T true in some respects. One of the hardest parts of going through my separation was having to leave my baby behind. The trips I made up there every week were JUST to spend time with Dallas and Levi.
Dallas saw me through everything : she stayed up with me during my late night cramming sessions for college, played with me when I was bored around the house, sat on top of my desk when I worked from home, and tried to comfort me every time Ronnie and I fought-w/out fail, amidst the shouting and yelling, Dallas would come and find me in whatever room I was in trying to get away from the husband, crawl up on my lap, give me a reassuring meow and corresponding head-butt, and snuggle up next to me until I stopped crying.
The day Dallas died, I felt like I lived an entire week in one day. Driving home from the doctor's office, I couldn't catch my breath...it just wasn't possible to fill my lungs w/air. Some will think me silly for placing so much emphasis on the life of a cat, treating the loss like it was that of a human being. I don't have children, and I may never-only God knows the ultimate outcome of that topic. I do know, however, that I treat my animals LIKE they are my kids-I teach them manners and how to behave; I take them to the doctor for wellness visits and when they're sick; I'm concerned with what they eat and try to ensure they get adequate nutrition; I brush them to make sure they're groomed properly and not looking wild; and I love them with everything I have. For all of this, I think I am entitled to my grief.
I know this gets easier. At 30, I've lived through enough to know that "this too shall pass". Eventually, I won't think I see Dallas everywhere, or mistake that I hear her meowing from another room. Sometime, wanting to take a nap and knowing that she won't be there to curl up under the covers with me will be easier to take. One day, the thought of coming home and NOT seeing her there won't hurt so badly. Until that day, though, its just me and Levi trying to cope with missing our best friend.
No Air
Jordan Sparks
Tell me how I'm supposed to breathe with no air?
If I should die before I wake
It's 'cause you took my breath away
Losing you is like living in a world with no air, oh
I'm here alone, didn't wanna leave
My heart won't move, it's incomplete
If there was a way that I could make you understand
But how do you expect me
To live alone with just me?
'Cause my world revolves around you
It's so hard for me to breathe
Tell me how I'm supposed to breathe with no air?
Can't live, can't breathe with no air
It's how I feel whenever you ain't there
There's no air, no air
Got me out here in the water so deep
Tell me how you gon' be without me?
If you ain't here I just can't breathe
There's no air, no air
I walk, I ran, I jump, I flew
Right off the ground to float to you
With no gravity to hold me down for real
But somehow I'm still alive inside
You took my breath but I survived
I don't know how but I don't even care
So how do you expect me
To live alone with just me?
'Cause my world revolves around you
It's so hard for me to breathe
Tell me how I'm supposed to breathe with no air?
Can't live, can't breathe with no air
It's how I feel whenever you ain't there
There's no air, no air
Got me out here in the water so deep
Tell me how you gon' be without me?
If you ain't here I just can't breathe
There's no air, no air.
