Hey Pet Parents & Pet Lovers,
While I was working on yesterday’s article about the complications that could potentially happen when a cat goes through the Perineal Urethrostomy I got fairly triggered. While I dislike using the word “triggered” to describe my emotions, there’s no better way to describe the immense sadness/angst I felt from reliving the moments before taking Beau into surgery.
Going over the long list of complications I can do nothing but feel overly grateful that his operation was a success and he didn’t experience many complications and I truly hope and pray that as this operation becomes more common that it becomes safer and safer for cats to undergo it (or maybe even avoid it altogether.)
Operations are always stressful. It doesn’t matter if the operation is for a human or for an animal. However, I can’t tell you how much calmer it makes me feel knowing that Beau underwent the surgery and his chances of survival are much higher. Although, I will say… every time I hear Beau scream or meow in a particular way it does make me worry that we’re going to have to rush him back to the emergency and repeat everything all over again. I don’t think that that’s ever going to change, but I think that that’s true of me in general as an overly anxious individual.
Unfortunately as mentioned in that article from yesterday, the chances of Beau blocking again are there, so I like to make sure to keep an ear and eye out for his discomfort because let’s be honest… I can’t imagine my life without him. I actually woke up at 1 AM this morning because I heard Beau “scream” in the hallway and thought something was wrong (turns out he was just playing with Kalista and they got a bit too feisty.)
So, what’s the cute part of this story Johnny? Well, it’s the fact that 4 years ago I never would have expected me to love a pet so much. Walker was my first pet ever and while I love him, there was something different about Beau. It might simply be the fact that Beau is a million times more affectionate than any cat I have ever met, making him feel like he was meant for me. A number of my friends have insisted that Beau is my “familiar” and while I would love to believe that, I don’t know nearly enough about what that truly means to even justify calling him that. I also don’t want to disrespect another person’s belief by using a turn of phrase I do not fully understand, but I can say… Beau is my best friend and it feels like I know him inside and out.
My partner and I have rehashed the events that have taken place with Beau’s urinary health a number of times. I have had moments I regret doing the surgery, but it’s mostly due to financial worries rather than thinking that the procedure wasn’t successful. I question if there was another route we could have taken to ensure that Beau was happy and healthy, but my partner keeps reminding me of the devastation we were in and how we were told that it may be time to euthanize Beau, which was definitely not an option for me.
Beau has been my best friend for the past years. Not because I talk to him about all of my problems, but because he comforts me whenever I need it. He’s always willing to sit with me and calm me down. He’s always willing to keep me warm during cold winter nights when our heat isn’t working. He’s always willing to let me sleep in, even if I haven’t fed, just because he enjoys spending time with me.
At the end of the day, I’m just so grateful that we get to have more time with Beau. It doesn’t matter if it’s a few years or 20, I get to spend more time with my best friend. I’m glad I get to spoil such a perfect kitty and that we’ve grown so much together and I can’t wait to look back on all of the memories I have on this blog. All of our pet family is perfect. I would never want it any other way.