Yesterday was one of the most difficult days I can remember. I had to put my beloved Gus to sleep yesterday afternoon. He bit me quite badly on Sunday, when I was holding Elizabeth and helping Jack tie his shoe. It wasn't the first time he bit me, it was at least a monthly occurrence. We think he didn't have a good outlet for hunting and that I was his 'prey'. This bite was quite bad leaving puncture marks and bruising in the shape of his mouth on my arm. I took the advice of our veterinarian and decided that I couldn't in good faith take him to a shelter without telling of his biting history. The best thing for him was to be put to sleep.It was the most difficult decision I have ever made, but I know I couldn't ever risk something like that happening to Jack and Elizabeth or any other kids visiting.
I have always been an animal lover and have shed countless tears over the loss of my childhood pets. I can't watch movies where a pet dies, I cried recently during the Kentucky Derby and I couldn't read Marley and Me without crying. Growing up my parents would only let me have outside cats. When I met Matt I told him that I would have indoor animals and if he didn't want that then we probably weren't a good match. Luckily, Matt is an animal lover as well. Eight years ago, as soon as we moved into an apartment that allowed animals, Matt and I got Gus. He was our first 'child' and boy, did we baby him.
Gus had such a personality and I never will open a jar of green olives without thinking of him (he loved green olives without pimentos and would come running from anywhere in the house when we opened the jar). He kept my feet warm at night when he slept between my legs. I didn't sleep well last night and I know I was waiting for him to meow and jump in our bed. Gus always found the best spot to nap, and his favorite was lying in the sun next to our patio door. I will always think of him on a sunny day and I hope that he found a sunny spot in heaven to nap.\
