Inspirational Stories
The instinctual and conscious death of my cat, Jasper.
September 14th, 2008, Jasper my cat of 19 ½ years passed away. He was truly the most incredible and amazing cat I have ever had. I really want to share the last week of his life as he taught me so much about grace in motion and the ability to truly let go, all the while being conscious. Before I share the last week though, it is important for me to add that his life was vital, strong, graceful, full of intelligence, emotion and compassion. He was a cat filled with wisdom and love, not to mention being physically beautiful. The picture on the website was taken two days before he died therefore not indicative of his 'true' self. |
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Jasper's body was failing. His bladder and kidneys no longer worked. He couldn't hold his bladder and would end up just peeing anywhere. He was embarrassed and not happy with the fact he could no longer be the incredible king he once was, yet through the process he kept a regal dignity that was palatable. I spent close to every waking minute with him the final week. He and I sat outside together while I wrote, read or gave sessions for clients. He sat under the trees feeling the breeze, smelling the grass, watching the sky. His body was weak from lack of food and fluids therefore not able to travel far. However, one morning our office help arrived and mentioned she had seen Jasper down the road about three houses. We live on a hill with a long steep driveway, the road being some place Jasper had never walked to or even had an inclination to explore; he was extremely intelligent about cars. The difference was when this happened, basic animal instinct had taken over; the desire to find a location, a safe place to die, was driving his movements. I have to admit I panicked, threw on some running clothes and shoes and ran down our driveway. By the time I arrived, Jasper had already walked back to our driveway and was just sitting there. I picked him up and carried him back to the house as it was too steep and too long for him anymore. The amazing piece was his 'consciousness' had kicked back in and had overridden his 'instincts' thereby bringing him home to family. This happened several times as he disappeared into the woods (instinctual) only to reappear (consciousness) to our relief.
We took him to our cabin for his final farewell. This is a place we had taken him for years when he was younger. Again I have to admit, I wished I had continued the tradition as he'd gotten older. I felt the drive was too much on his old body, the stress of driving three hours round-trip too draining. This is something I would really invite you to consider as your pets become older. They still want to be a part of the thriving-family-action, even if they can no longer participate as they once could. (This can be said of our elderly as well. Call your parents. Visit your grandparents). Jasper was able to maintain for an additional 36 hours, perhaps because he was happy to be in a place that he loved. Our cabin is on a lake, near Mt. St. Helens, Washington, with a sandy beach and a dock. When he was younger, Jasper would hang at the beach waiting for us while we were out on the boat or visit us, walking down the dock to the boat, to sit in the sun. Now in his weakened state, he still worked his way down the hill in increments, taking time to rest and bask in the sun. I helped him reach the dock so he could rest in the shade of a tree. He was vital. He was alive. His eyes were open to the continued movements of the trees, the birds, the water and his ears fluttered with the various noises of voices, water lapping, boats, and dogs. This took place as his body was slowly shutting down all the vital organs and systems. You could literally see his eyes mirrored back at you and feel his consciousness as he was integrating with the entire universe and the environment around him.
We were in the boat for several hours, I 'tuned' into him just to know that he was still 'here'. On our dock arrival, Jasper had moved and was sitting in the sand, just like the old days. It was totally incredible, though I do have to admit there was a different 'feel' to it. I could feel he was becoming more agitated and anxious; he was ready. He had taken-in the last day of being in this body. We carried him back to the cabin and watched as he moved to his bed. The amazing thing was he truly wanted to stay around and not distance himself by going into the woods to die. This was completely un-cat like behavior. The next time I found him he was on a chair. I knew this was our last night together as the two of us. (Jasper and I have shared three of his lives together in this life and we have also shared other parallel experiences together, particularly in Egypt. He was one of the temple high-priestess cats.) This entire time, Jasper was lucid, conscious and alive; though I could feel his spirit retreating further as the day progressed. How he managed as long as he did with no food or water is truly a miracle and an inspiration, giving credence to his powerful 'will to live'. Later that night, I let him sleep in the other room in order to move about as his body stopped each of the final processes and his soul retreated. I could feel his energy. I finally allowed myself to sleep as up to that point, I was totally aware of his being and energy. I awoke to feel the cabin empty, clear and somewhat alone. I knew without finding the physical evidence that Jasper had moved out of his body and was once again with the collective consciousness of cats.
Jasper's total dedication to the conscious leave-taking of his body was inspirational, educational, and a true gift of spirit. It was a testament to the incredible depth of his soul's wisdom and great love of life and family. I feel very blessed to be part of such amazing power and expression of Universal oneness. And I have to admit, I welcome the day he chooses once again to bless our house with his energy and grace, in a young vibrant body.
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Stuart Davis
Stuart, Florida
