A Lament for a Lost Cat

(art by the amazing Sparkette https://twitter.com/flarn2006)

Greetings, fellow seekers of the arcane,

Today, our journey takes a somber turn as we delve into the realm of loss and grief. I recently lost a dear friend, a companion who shared my life and my space, and a gentle soul who happened to be a cat. This loss has stirred a whirlpool of thoughts within me about mortality, suffering, and the choices we must make in the face of these harsh realities.

Life, as we know, is a dance of joy and sorrow, of love and loss, of beginnings and endings. And sometimes, we find ourselves at a crossroads, where we must make decisions that weigh heavy on our hearts.

One such decision is the choice to end the suffering of a loved one. Where is the line that separates mercy from murder? Can we, as mere observers, ever truly discern when the will to live has been extinguished and when the burden of pain has become too much to bear?

And how often do our own comforts bias these decisions? When a pet falls ill and demands our care, we consider euthanasia. When our elders grow frail and require our attention, we consider nursing homes. It's as if we're trying to shield ourselves from the stark reality of mortality, from the existential dread that the proximity of death and decay brings.

But can we be really blamed for this? I think not.

I chose to care for my grandparents until their final moments, even when dementia and Alzheimer's had stolen their memories and personalities. Even against the advice of the rest of the family. They were not old furniture to be moved aside, but pillars of my life who had always been there for me. How could I not be there for them?

When my cat fell ill, and the vet suggested euthanasia, I couldn't bring myself to do it. Not until the very last moments. He didn't seem to be in pain - until he was. He didn't seem ready to leave - until he was. He had been my friend, my confidante, my companion. He had his quirks, his habits, and his unique ways of communicating. He was a part of my life, and I couldn't just discard him at the first sign of trouble.

I wanted him to live as much life as possible. Unless…

But where is that line? Who gets to decide? These are questions with no easy answers. Yet, we must make these choices, knowing that someday, someone might have to make the same choice for us.

So, fellow mages, as we navigate the labyrinth of life and death, let us remember to treat others as we would like to be treated. Because the tables may turn at any moment. In life as in death.

In the end, all we can do is love deeply, live fully, and when the time comes, let go with grace. For in the grand tapestry of existence, every thread - be it of joy or sorrow, life or death - adds to its beauty.

Until next time, keep seeking, keep questioning, and remember - the magic is within you, even in times of sorrow, even when it breaks our hearts.