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Sunday, November 7, 2010

Pet Sitting: A Life Of Love And Loss


Me with my first dog client, Rocky, in 2006 (please ignore my too-short hairdo!)
When I started Teacher's Pet Sitting Service I naively thought that every cat and dog would be our clients forever but I quickly found out that I was wrong. When the economy slowed down we lost several of our clients due to sudden unemployment while others moved out of our service area but the worst reason for losing a client was due to the passing of our four-legged friends.

 

Most recently, we received the news that Bast, a 20-something tortoise shell cat, passed away due to complications from seizures and a stroke.


When we saw her in September she had lost sight in one eye and she was much thinner than normal. Despite her poor eyesight, Bast navigated throughout the house like a pro and she was quite aware of her surroundings until a grand mal seizure ended her life a few days ago. 


It is hard to believe we will never see Bast again but it is a comfort to know that she is no longer in pain and that she truly appreciated our services. Rest in peace, old girl!

22 comments:

  1. Poor girl. It seems she lived a good life though.

    Sam

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  2. We are sorry for your losses. (((((((((Big Hug)))))))))))

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  3. Oh Bast!! Beautiful adorable Bast!!! Awwwww me and Charlie are so sorry to hear of her passing. How sad!! What a grand ol age and what a trouper right to the very end!!! Rest in peace now wonderful Bast!! We hope you run young and healthy over at the Bridge! Take care
    x

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  4. We are so sorry for your losses. That has got to be hard to deal with after getting close to them. Lots of love, Holly and mom

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  5. We are sad for you, even though we didn't know Blast. :(
    She is now happy over the Bridge!~

    Drools and licks,
    Minnie and Mack

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  6. How very fortunate though for Bast to cherish 20-something years with her family and vice versa. That is very beautiful in itself. It is never easy losing a special family member, our thoughts are with you and her family as well.
    Joan & Jane Austen Eyre

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  7. What a sad time, I'm glad you shared Blast with us.

    Nubbin wiggles,
    Oskar

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  8. I am so sorry to hear about sweet Bast, what a jewel she was. Purrs to you and to her wonderful family.

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  9. How sad about Bast. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

    Love ya lots
    Maggie and Mitch

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  10. I was having this same discussion with my dog walker this week, talking about our losses, and she was telling me that the loss of 'clients' like Bast is the hardest thing because of how attached you/they get to them. In talking to her and seeing your post reminds me of how much animals touch all of our lives.

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  11. That must be really hard for you. Such an extended family......
    Glad you are there for those pets, while they are with us!

    Wyatt and Stanzie

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  12. I'm so sorry about Bast. 20 years is pretty good, though, you have to admit. Doesn't make it easier for those left behind, but Bast had a good run.

    lotsa licks, Lola

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  13. i'm so sorry for your loss...
    her 20-yrs of life was worth it.
    meeting you and all the care you had given her

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  14. Hi Daisy, Henry & Buster (hope i remembered efurryone!) thanks for stopping by my bloggie-- funny how woo can met some great pals close by too!

    That has to be a hard part of the job:( I'm sure Bast left everyone with fond memories.

    scratchies,
    tula

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  15. Thank you everyone! Bast was truly loved. I dreamt about her last night. She looks beautiful again, as she did in the first picture of her and was coming to me in my dream to let me know she had crossed over safely and is enjoying time on the other side of the bridge. Thank you SO much to April and Amos. It is a comfort being able to talk with you about her. We know she loved your visits. She used to chat about them to us!
    Much gratitude and appreciation to you both for all the loving care you have given Bast over the years!
    Susan

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  16. This was a hard post to read :( Rest in peace, sweet Bast. Sounds like you had a long and happy life.

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  17. Awww.... Blast looks so sweet! It's very hard to lose a pet even if it isn't actually our own. We become so attached to our furry friends. Blast sounds like she had a very good life and that is one conselation because so many animals today are left uncared for. To lose a pet is heart breaking and that is the down size of owning one. We have lost four dogs and a little peice of our heart goes with each one of them. I'm so sorry for your loss.

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  18. I'm sorry to hear about the passing of Bast. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family. It's never easy when our beloved pets leave us but I'd always like to think that they are running and playing happily on the other side of the rainbow bridge now.

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  19. Awww I would imagine that would be the hardest thing.

    Thanks for sharing.

    Muah,

    Minnie Moo

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  20. Awww im sorry for the loss, RIP sweet girl.
    I never knew cats lived that long!

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  21. Poor Bast. It sounds like she had a long, eventful life and she will be remembered by many.

    Thank you for sharing her memory with us.

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  22. Bless you Bast. I worked at an animal hospital for 8 years, which was long enough to see the passing of some favorite cats and dogs. It goes without saying that it's never easy to say goodbye. I'm sorry you've lost a feline friend. xo

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