Living While My Cat is Dying

Impermanence. A hard but needed lesson to learn and embody.

My cat was given a diagnosis. I refused to hear an expiration date. Why should I?

We all have an expiration date. We need to live each day, each moment, as it could be the last and cherish it all.

There are much better ways to live so I have adopted that. Some new practices and others that I have been doing for a few years now.

How to live while my cat is dying.

First off, I created an imaginary, energetic bubble of peace and choose who to allow in. This is also how I do practices based on which are healthy for me while I focus my attention on keeping my cat happy.

This means leaving any busy and distracting group chats. We have little control over when they pop up or what they contain. A recent client told me that he has 2 for the same group of people. One where some like to complain and vent about their mutual job and career field. The other has the same people but the messages are to be productive and important. He told me he avoids the first group as much as possible unless he learns someone is in emotional distress. I love this! It can be a tricky thing to do and everyone needs to understand and be involved and know that the energy we all bring to a space should be welcomed and now just spewed onto each other randomly. A friend recently sent me a text asking if I mind if she vents for a moment. This was so kind and I appreciated that she ask before bringing me into one of her problems. We never know where a person is emotionally and this was so compassionate for me. Yes, I did invite her to share.

Next, as a vegan, my heart hurts every day. Social media, grocery stores, and many fiction books can trigger a response in me. When you care about animals, every species of animal, you are sensitive to it all. When you care about the environment and have to watch others harm it, its maddening. I have been constantly weeding out anyone who doesn't share my values, especially on social media. Those heavy emotions can be toxic to be well-being and completely distroy my bubble of peace.

I start my day without immediately grabbing my phone unless I want to listen to a guided meditation. Emails can all wait until after I feel grounded and peaceful and eager to start the day.

A few gigong moves centers me and increases my peace and balance much more than anything on that phone.

Food. Each meal is always vegan for me but I have been trying to avoid vegan junk food. When there is peace on your plate, the energy entering your body is nourishing and contains nothing that caused anyone to suffer. I do need more work conquering sugar and I will get there. Eat the rainbow.

Hydrate. Hydration does so much for your body and skin and health. Add some lemon and avoid sodas, caffeine and alcohols.

Movement. The best thing I have found for me is a daily qiqong practice. Easy simple movments and breathing that helps the cardiovascular system, joints, immunity, peace, and physical balance. Many people love yoga, running, walking, or cycling. Its important for the mind to move at least 20 minutes a day.

Nature. When I was finishing my research paper for aromatherapy, I learned so much about how being in nature benefits us. A cool reason for me is the natural oils that are in trees and plants and how even after an hour walk in the woods, the benefits can be observed for 2 to 3 weeks after. Just another reason for me to love aromatherapy.

Sleep. Sleep is definitely underrated and this is being said by a life long nightowl. My most productive time of day used to be after 10 pm but I wasn't getting enough hours of sleep so I have been going to be earlier. My production at work has increased greatly so that is proof it works. A short body scan helps quiet the mind and drift to sleep now.

Gratitude Journaling. Many of my friends as well as some strangers could find themselves surprised to learn that they have been included in my nightly gratitude list. I started a gratitude journal back in 2020 and haven't stopped. It helps me to find those glimmers of joy in moments and awe at the world. Sometimes I'd be out enjoying my day and know that this pink rose dangling over a white fence or the mist coming off the pond will be an entry that night. I focus on the good instead of the negative before going to bed and it helps settle my mind.

Art. I am back in my craftroom exploring watercolors. Oh the pure happiness to mix and swirl pretty colors on a pallette and create butterflies and apples and greenery. When you get lost in time and forget where you are means you are being mindful and that is amazing for your health and happiness.

So, at times, I still have a long drive with my cat to the specialty vet where is illness is again put right in front of me to face. But my resislience to the grief is widening as I know that we are all impermanent and nothing lasts forever. Each moment is special.

Share how you would live while your cat is dying and maybe you can give others ideas on how to cope.

If you need support while caring for another being, please reach out. I have time for you too.