A Fond Farewell to Samual "Sammy" Rae McCauley
Rhonnie's Beloved Feline of 20 Years

Sammy was my first pet that I had of my own. I got Sammy when he a little black fur ball only 4 months old. He was adorable. He was such a loving companion who traveled with me from my home town of Williston, ND to college in Fargo, ND. He loved riding in the car and believe me that was a ride. After college, Sammy and I moved to Boulder, CO (another long ride), where Sammy spent the remainder of his life cattin' around.

Sammy began exhibiting signs of laziness and a huge increase in thirst. After a visit to the vet, he was diagnosed with diabetes, which would require 2 shots of insulin a day. He did well with his shots. As long as Sammy could eat he did not mind the shots at all. A few years later Sammy developed sores above his left eye and on his little belly and chest. Off to the vet we headed. Sammy was very dehydrated and had to spend a few nights in the hospital hooked up to an IV that gave him fluids enhanced with electrolytes. I over stayed the visiting hours each day and had to be kicked out. Finally after the second night in the hospital Sammy was released to come home. I think they wanted to get rid of me hanging around. LOL!

Sammy's care now included 2 insulin shots a day, one pill of potassium a day, a baytril pill once a day, and sub Q fluids every other day which turned into every day. Sammy was in the middle stages of "CRF", Chronic Renal Failure.

As the days got longer and the meds got harder to administer, there came a day when the limitations for Sammy's physical body became too great. I knew that Sammy was struggling and his body wasn't supporting his spirit. He was waiting for me to release him. I was horrified at the thought of this, but I knew I needed to love him enough to free him. I made this painful decision and released him from his failing body on April 5th, 2003.

I was so scared. Sammy had been my companion for 20 years. At that time Sammy had spent half my life with me. I took care of Sammy like he took care of me in my younger days. I was so mad and upset that Sammy had to leave me.

My days dragged then and they still do today. It has been over one year since Sammy has made his transformation to "Rainbow Bridge", but not one day goes by that I don't think about him and miss him dearly.

PS: For anyone who has ever lost a pet, Rainbow Bridge, is a wonderful book about the death of your pet. You can buy it at the Max Foundation, a shelter for stray and injured animals.

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