The very first post for this blog by would-be jet-setters was “Can you feed the cat?” all the way back in 2012. We talk about our girl Storm and how her independence’s facilitated our love of travel. She tolerated us leaving and forgave us when we returned. She is, was, our girl. She got sick about 3 years ago at the age of 17 and needed nightly care and special food and drugs to maintain her quality of life. We didn’t really travel much during that time because she needed us. We needed her. We never begrudged the nightly I-V’s or transdermal medications or bi-monthly vet visits. She was our girl and we wanted her to feel happy, loved, and comfortable. We were able to manage her condition up until 2 weeks ago. She took a turn for the worse and we made one last visit to the vet where we held her as they pushed the syringe that ended her pain. We don’t regret doing it. It was time. The people at the vet were so kind. We wanted to share the thank you note we wrote them.

Dear Dr. Smart, Dr. Moreira, and the Staff at North Bay Animal Hospital,

We want to thank you all so much for your kindness and compassion over the last 2 years. When Storm was initially diagnosed with renal failure we didn’t know how long she would be with us. We couldn’t have even hoped for the three wonderful years we got. You seem to truly understand that to us, she is our child, and we only wanted more time than our already 19 years with her. You helped us do that. You helped us provide her with a comfortable stress-free retirement napping in the Florida sun. You help us get 730 more days of her resting in our laps. You helped her give us a bright spot every day working at home during the pandemic. 
You also helped up understand when it was time to say goodbye. 
We feel you understand the whole in our hearts her absence makes. 
The empathy you showed means the world to us in this most difficult time.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Amanda and Zeke Changuris