The Final Days of Jerry Garcia Cat

It was March 2nd 2009 when I put my beloved Jerry to sleep at Sugar Grove Animal hospital. He had become sick and was in Renal Failure. He was so fluffy and furry that it was difficult to tell that he had lost weight, but one day I went to pet him and I could feel his spine. I was amazed, and feared that after 13 years it may be time to face the inevitable we face with all our pets and our loved ones. I knew when I was in my mid 20's that Jerry would live until my mid 30's and here I was suddenly in my mid 30's. The years go by so fast when you think of them in regards to time you spend with your pet.

Jerry went to the vet where I got the news I didn't want to hear, but knew one day I would; Jerry was dying. The Doctor told me he had no clue how long Jerry would last, only that his time was limited. He told me to take him home and enjoy what time we had left together.

Now I had two other cats in my family, but when Jerry came back home, all the attention went to him. He still ate, and drank and chased Daniel around the apartment, but he was slowing down. He was sleeping more, keeping to himself more.

I kept thinking to myself, "It's time", then Jerry would sort of bounce back and perk up, so I would cancel the Vet appointment I made every week, the appointment that meant I would arrive with Jerry, but I would be going home alone.

One friday evening, probably Feb 27th, I was lying on my bed watching TV. Jerry came into the room, looked up at me, and then jumped onto the bed next to me and sat down. This was not Jerry's normal behavior. He had always liked to keep to himself, but tonight he was there by my side. I slowly put my arm around him and the two of us layed there for 90 minutes on the bed, just being together.

The next morning I called the Vet and told them I wanted to bring Jerry in on monday....he was ready.

Monday February 2nd, I woke up, grabbed a Jerry Garcia T-shirt that had my scent on it and tossed it in the cat carrier. I then picked Jerry up carefully and brought him over to Daniel and Zoe so they could say goodbye.

Then I placed him in the cat carrier. He didn't fight it, he didn't meow. He was ready.

I shook nervously as I drove toward Sugar Grove, keeping the tip of my finger in the cage so that Jerry could smell me or rub against my finger, or whatever. He did nothing, but sit there waiting.

I got him to the Vet and we walked into that cold, empty, and unnerving exam room. I pulled Jerry out of the cage and wrapped him in the Jerry Garcia shirt.

The Vet came in and gave Jerry a pat on the head and scratched him behind his ears. Jerry just sat there. Then the needle came out, and I held Jerry tight as the Vet pinched the back of his skin and injected the sedative into Jerry.

Within seconds Jerry's head started to droop. The Vet told me he'd be back in ten minutes to administer the final dosage that would stop Jerry's heart.

I grabbed a white blanket and placed Jerry on the ground because he tried to stand up and couldn't maintain his composure.

He sat there motionless for a moment then vomited twice. I started to cry.

I cleaned up the vomit, and by the time I was done, Jerry's face was buried in his furry little paws. He was pretty much asleep.

I couldn't stay for the final shot, so I layed down on the ground beside him and told him how much I loved him. I put his head, but he didn't move. I hugged him, but he didn't react. But I kept on telling him how much I loved him and how great a friend he'd always been and that I'd never forget him.

I stood to leave, and as I did, Jerry looked up at me one final time. Acknowledged me, his life long friend, one last time, then buried his face back into his paws and never woke up again.

I turned to leave, but broke down in the worst tears I've ever cried. I went back to him once more and hugged him and kissed him, and whispered, "thanks."

I walked out of the exam room, and never saw my beloved Jerry ever again.