Life Lessons From Bodhi

1.  Each day should be cherished and valued.

2.  Fight for what is important to you.

3.  Cuddle with those you love.

4.  Enjoy the sunshine.

Bodhi passed away the morning of Sunday, January 8th.  He was the most courageous creature I had ever met.  He had more strength than I ever gave him credit for.

Bodhi fought a losing battle against something that was unknown.  It started in October when he developed an upper respiratory infection.  He had the typical signs of runny eyes, stuffy nose and sneezing.  As soon as he got over that he developed a severe internal infection.  Also, at this time he started having tremors.  He would shake,  his ears would twitch, his teeth would scrape together when he ate wet food, and when he ate dry food his bottom jaw would shake.   The vets were at a loss and, needless to say, I was frustrated with the lack of knowledge of Bodhi’s condition.  One vet did tell me on several occasions that she believed he had a neurological disorder that he was born with that couldn’t be cured.  And, the vet at St Francis Veterinary Specialists echoed that.

As the weeks went by Bodhi’s condition was like a roller coaster – up days and down days.  He got so bad at one point that I had to force feed him and give him subcutaneous fluids everyday.  Bodhi never gave up, though, which gave me the strength to continue to care for him.  Then, one day he just started eating.  It was a miracle!  He ate a 3 oz pouch of Weruva everyday in addition to kibble.  He seemed to have gotten better.  He even gained a pound!  I was cautiously optimistic.

My optimism was short-lived.  In his final weeks he lost control of his bladder.  His walk became more clumsy and wobbly.  He could no longer clean himself.  He looked like he had a feline version of multiple sclerosis.  Bodhi, being the amazing cat that he was, never acted like he was dying.  Every single day he looked forward to following the sunlight.  He looked forward to cuddling with Rocco.  He even looked forward to his wet food in the evening.  He knew his name and would follow me down the hall excited to get his Weruva.

Bodhi was content.  I decided that as long as Bodhi ate and was engaged in life and looked forward to something everyday then I would let him continue on.  Bodhi fought to enjoy each day, so who was I to take that away from him?  I never had to make that decision.  When I arrived at Camp Kitty Sunday morning I saw his lifeless body laying on the floor of the kitty camper.  It broke my heart, but I was at peace knowing that he went on his own terms.

Bodhi wasn’t the only one battling an illness.  His sister, Olive, who lived in the cat room at AARF Pet Central was also sick.  And, just like him, she had her ups and downs.  Bodhi and Olive were separated from each other in August.  It was odd how they both got sick around the same time while in two different places.  Olive passed away 10 days prior to Bodhi’s passing.  The folks at AARF and I concluded that the two silver tabbies just weren’t particularly healthy felines.  They were found in a box outside of a shelter without their mom.  For all we know she could have died from a disease or received vaccines while pregnant.

Take some lessons from Bodhi and enjoy today and tomorrow and everyday afterward.  Bask in the sunlight.  Hold close those you love.  And, fight for what means the most to you.

Thank you to everyone who donated to Bodhi’s and Olive’s care.  A huge thank you to Bodhi’s two wonderful “aunts”:  Paula and Julie.  He was loved by all who knew him.

The last solo photo taken of Bodhi on December 31st.

Advertisement