I went to Mayo Clinic today to settle our bills, and was told the sad news that Dodo, their clinic's resident cat, had just passed away.
Alex, the vet's assistant, was so sad. So was the doctor.
Apparently, Dodo only started showing signs of kidney problems yesterday, and Dr Khor had put him on drips. This morning Dodo did not want to be in the cage, and made a lot of noise, indicating he wanted to come out. So, Alex took out the drip and Rani let him out. Dodo he walked to the bathroom, laid down and passed away peacefully.
The bathroom, Rani said, was Dodo's "bedroom" every night. And he also never pee-d and poo-ed anywhere in the clinic, only in the bathroom. I guess he wanted to go back to his room.
It was so sad. An air of melancholy filled the clinic despite the hustle and bustle, non-stop patients going in and out, but those who knew Dodo shared the grief of having lost him.
Alex said I could take a look at Dodo....at least I could pay my last respects to the clinic's ever-loyal cat. Dodo was the clinic cat even before Dr Khor took over this clinic. He was 12 years old.
Alex has worked here 6 years and Dodo, RayRay and Mimi have been everyone's companions. All of us who frequent the clinic love them. They are so friendly to all humans and also very friendly to all the cats that come in.
Dodo, you're in a better place now.... We'll definitely miss you....
Today was Rani's day off, but she came to see Dodo in the morning and was with him. Rani came by again this afternoon.
Rani wants to cradle Dodo for the last time before his burial this evening.
It is always so, so sad when a pet passes away. I cried too, and I stroked Dodo for the last time before I left the clinic. As I drove home, I felt so sad. I remember the times I had played with Dodo while waiting at the clinic. Though I told Alex that we draw comfort from knowing Dodo did not have to suffer any prolonged illness or pain and that it happened quickly, this is little consolation at times like these when the loss is so great.
I guess everybody is still in a state of shock because it happened so suddenly. If the animal had been sick for a long time, at least we would be prepared for its passing.
And why is the death of an animal always sadder than that of a human's? I reflected on this as I was driving back. Maybe for me, it is because with humans, you can talk to them, communicate with them and they understand what is going on, but with animals, though we talk to them, we can never be sure how they are feeling and if they understand what is happening. We feel a sense of helplessness there, a sense of uncertainty.
I'm told animals know when to let go. When conditions are no longer favourable, they will let go. So they don't suffer. When it's time to go, they rejoin that universal oneness where there is peace and joy, so we are told.
Dodo's in a better place now.
Dodo's photo (with RayRay at the back) published in the newspaper article on 2nd June, 2011.
We'll always remember you with fondness, Dodo.
Let's remember to cherish our pets while they are still with us, folks. Life is short and uncertain. We'll never know when it's time to go. Make good use of every available moment to shower unconditional loving-kindness on all beings. Even when angry, forgive quickly and love again. Life is short, but life is precious.
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