After I got the call from the doctor at the ER regarding his CT scan, I knew exactly what needed to happen. My son could not survive off of supplemental oxygen. The cancer was obvious. It was metastasizing already. (I will make other posts about the details of this). This is just me describing the last moments with my son.
Following that call, which my dad was listening to as well, I called my boyfriend, Will. He was in the midldle of work but still answered and said he had to call me back but I interrupted and told him Lunar had to be put down. This amazing man put down everything and drove over to my house.
When he got there, he spent some time with me and my dad and I had gathered things I wanted to bring for Lunar. I got his favorite massage gun, his favorite snack, and a couple of his favorite toys. Once we were settled, we headed over to AVECCC (Arizona Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Center) where he was staying in the ICU after his CT scan that day.
The staff here was amazing and so sweet. We were led back to where Lunar was being held in his oxygen cage. They let us spend as much time as we wanted with him in there. They opened the little door so we could stick our arms through and use the massage gun on him… and he went WILD! He always had in the past but this was EXTREMELY grateful. Poor guy just wanted to see people he loved and his favorite thing. He rubbed on our arms so hard that we had to do shifts cuz our arms got tired!
Once we were done giving him his much-wanted massage, we talked to the doctor and were ready to go into the quiet room.
Will and I sat on the bench and the nurse handed Lunar to me wrapped in a cozy blanket and I sat him on my lap like a baby. She handed me the tube hooked up to the oxygen machine so I could hold it in front of his nostrils with my left hand as I had my right arm around him cuddling him next to me. I gave him all the kisses and head nuzzles and told him how much I loved him.
Will was right there feeling with me. He has the same heart I do especially with cats and he knew Lunar very well. He gave him pets and was right there along with me. We let Lunar know how much he was loved and gave him so many snuggles.
Now, if you don’t know, I’ve worked as a vet tech for several years so I have a different perspecitve on this situation. I have been on both sides and fully understand the process more than other people might know. The doctor asked if I wanted him to administer the first IV drug (before the lethal one). I said “yes” after a kiss to Lunar’s head. That just made him slightly sleepy.
I already gave him all the love I could. I wanted him to pass peacefully. Still wrapped in my arms and my head cuddled next to him with soft kisses, I told the doctor to go ahead with the fatal drug. Lunar sat still and his eyes just went slighly up and I saw his soul leave right in my arms. There was no struggle. It was soft and gradual and there was no suffering. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience as horrible as the situation was.
The nurse was even in tears. I actually appreciated that a lot. I’ve been there before through other people’s euthanasia and tried to show my empathy while keeping my composure which is very difficult. I know first-hand. I’m glad she cried. It shows how much Lunar effects people. His love and personality just charm everyone he meets. He leaves a MARK.
I wanted a bit of hair saved from his chest with his tuxedo markings. Mostly black, some white. And Will wanted one too, which touched my heart. He took my cat as his own. After the nurse did the shaving, she took Lunar back. We are just doing a communal cremation. I don’t need ashes. I just wanted his paw prints and some of his fluff.
In summary, his euthanasia went as beautifully as it could have. He was completely peaceful and happy the whole time and he had his mommy there and his new daddy there just getting loved on. As horrific as the whole scenario is, at least he went out happy and that’s all I could have asked for. Lunar is no longer struglling to breathe. He is peaceful in Heaven and probably running around and eating grass and chasing butterflies. Too soon though…