06 August 2010

Noël is Not Alone

Continued from previous post Noel Learns to Walk

His little stump of a tail was healing nicely. With the sudden loss, Noel walked funny with his stump and rump sticking up.

There was discharge from Noel's eyes again and were fast getting infected. EJ was not sure what was the cause. Could it be flu, the shock of snipping the tail without anaesthesia or even possible irritation from the fleas he had earlier?

Another bottle of antibiotic eyedrops was obtained from his vet. His vet reminded EJ that Noel's persistent eye infection could be an indication that he probably had complications.

A few days later, Noel's abdomen became slightly distended and several bulges started to develop. He had little appetite and took a turn for the worse. EJ phoned long distance to Noel's vet who was back at his hometown celebrating Chinese New Year. According to symptoms EJ described, he said Noel was probably stepped on and that he would schedule Noel for an x-ray as soon as his clinic opened.

With two festivals, one after the other (Chinese New Year on 29 & 30 January 2006; Awal Muharram on 31 January 2006) and including weekends, it was an almost a week-long public holiday that year.

In desperation, EJ took Noel to a 24-hour animal hospital but nothing much could be done.


EJ was stroking his head when Noel drew his last breath on the night of Awal Muharram. Wrapped in EJ's old T-shirt which Noel loved to sleep in, early next morning when the air was cool with the rising sun at an angle, EJ buried Noel in the corner of the playground next to EJ's mom's house where the pet cats and animals were buried.

No tears were shed for Noel.

EJ's tears were all shed dry some years before when walking barefoot through the slums in India witnessing and trying to feel their life, their hardships, their sufferings.

Instead what EJ had were scratchy eyes and a huge painful lump in the throat. The same would happen during Christmas seasons especially whenever the song Noel was sung or the music played.

EJ is consoled that Noel is now at a beautiful place called Rainbow Bridge with EJ's and siblings' pet cats and animals guiding and keeping Noel company.

That's right! Noël is Not Alone! And never will be again!

Born 25 December 2005 (Christmas)
Died 31 January 2006 (Awal Muharram)

(From Wikipedia: Awal Muharram, the Islamic New Year is a cultural event which Muslims observe on the first day of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic calendar. Many Muslims use the day to remember the significance of this month, and the Hijra, or migration, Islamic prophet Muhammad made it to the city now known as Medina. For Shia Muslims, Muharram is a month of grief and sorrow because they mourn the death of Imam Hussain and his companions.)

14 comments:

Jacqueline said...

We are so sorry for poor little Noel and for EJ; such a sad story...But we are very grateful baby Noel had EJ to care for him and he knew love and affection in his short life...We're certain EJ was the best thing in Noel's life and offered great comfort to that tiny sweetheart...Blessings to EJ for his kind heart...sending big hugs...J, Calle, Halle, Sukki

lupie said...

I am in tears ...
I am sure Noel is and will never be Alone at Rainbow Bridge ...

EJ - Hugs ....

Old Kitty said...

Oh beautiful and adorable Noel. What a brave kitty. My sadness is tempered by the knowledge that for the last weeks of his life he had you to care for him and to give him the love to erase the memories of his awful start in life.

I know he is happy now with all his friends over the Rainbow Bridge! Bless his little sweet brave heart!

Take care
x

Kea said...

I'm in tears too...not the ending I had been expecting or hoping for. But I'm so glad Noel had EJ's love and kindness during his short and difficult life.

Marg said...

Poor little Noel but we certainly owe EJ a huge thank you for trying so hard to help Noel with all the problems and for showing Noel all that love. And we know that little kitty is very happy running around in kitty heaven. We are very sad but know that Noel is in a good place.

wenn said...

with sympathy.

Gattina said...

Poor little Noel, but you have done what you could to save him ! He will be forever in your heart !

Annie Bear said...

I was worried this wouldn't end the way I wanted. I'm so sorry, but like Gattina said, he will be forever in your heart and now in our hearts as well. Thank you for sharing him and his story with us.

cats of wildcat woods said...

Poor little Noel had such a short troubled life but you gave him love and care when he needed it. Thank you for caring for him and sharing his story!

Boo-Bah AKA Iris said...

Poor little Noel. I wanted so much for this story to have a happy ending. I am coforted to know that in his short life he did have love and care.

Boom Nisanart said...

I'm in tears either ! poor little Noel. You are strong, EJ and you took the best care for him. And I knew he still in your heart forever.

Love
OXXOOX
Boom & Puddy ( Cat visitor )

Kat said...

Its a really sad story. Poor Noel. I actually thought that he had healed and is now a big healthy cat!

Unknown said...

Aw I am so sorry to see the sad ending. You and Noel each had such a profound influence on the other. You made his short life more bearable and he will forever be in your heart. Thanks for sharing this touching story.

The Lee County Clowder said...

Poor kitteh. We had not read Noel's story before. We were really hoping for a happy ending.