my cat is dying

jacx

Could you guys all keep Chadwick in your thoughts and prayers right now? He's old, tired and quite sick. I don't think he's going to make it through the night even.




My teacher suggested that I transmit the 3 refuges to him, but I wasn't quite sure how. I just gave him a cuddle and recited in his ear:

自 皈 依 佛， 當 願 眾生，
體 解 大 道， 發 無 上 心。

自 皈 依 法， 當 願 眾生，
深 入 經 藏， 智 慧 如海。

自 皈 依 僧， 當 願 眾生，
統 理 大 眾， 一 切 無礙。

To the Buddha I return and rely, vowing that all living beings
Understand the great Way profoundly, and bring forth the Bodhi mind.

To the Dharma I return and rely, vowing that all living beings
Deeply enter the Sutra Treasury, and have wisdom like the sea.

To the Sangha I return and rely, vowing that all living beings
Form together a great assembly, one and all in harmony.

in English and Chinese. Then I recited Guan Yin's name for a few minutes until he fell asleep. This was last night, I think he may even have been slightly worse then.

Poor little guy.

federica

You obviously have a deep affection for him, and care a great deal about him, now and for the future.
What a fortunate cat to have come to an owner like you.... When I say 'owner' of course, I mean life-long companion.

may he be peaqceful and free from pain or anguish.
may you find serenity and comfort and solace here, in his time of need and beyond.

Hugs and the warmest wishes possible to you both.

With much metta,
Fede XX

jacx

Good news!

He's still with us. Nowhere near his old self, but he did eat some tinned tuna and get out of bed to say 'Good morning.'

I'll keep you updated.

Thanks for sending him your good thoughts.

Brigid

Oh, Jacx. I'm so sorry you're going through this. I was with my cat Samantha when she was dying. I was fortunate because it was fairly quick, only about 4 hours total. I came here for solace and everyone helped me so much. Please know that I'll be thinking of you throughout the day and hoping for a return to good health for Chadwick.

If he starts to go, please let us know and I'll send my wishes for as quick and painless a death as possible and as fortunate a rebirth as possible.

All my love to you and Chadwick.

harlan

Same here. We share your sadness at this parting, and will keep you and your companion in our prayers.

Peace.

Knitwitch

May Chadwick's passing be quick and painless and may you two be reunited in the fullness of time as the wheel turns.

Bright blessings to you Chadwick.

Brian

He couldn't have gotten a better owner

Palzang

As we are taught,

The three states of transmigratory existence are impermanent like clouds in the autumn sky.
Sentient beings are born and die like the whirl of a dance.
The lifespan of beings is like a lightning flash in space,
Or like a waterfall quickly rushing down a steep mountain.
All accumulations become exhausted.
All those who are elevated eventually fall down.
At the end of meeting comes separation;
At the end of life comes death.
Like a prisoner being led to execution,
Each step that he takes leads closer to death.
If there is birth, there is death.
If there is expansion, there is regression.
Youth is also impermanent
For even illness can steal the dexterity of youth.
The happiness of life is robbed by death.
There is nothing of this world that is permanent.
No matter where one stays, there is no escape from death.
There is no direction where death does not exist.
There is no escape in the atmosphere nor in the depths of the ocean,
Nor is there any escape inside, over the crest of the mountains.

Death is the Great Teacher. Right now, jacx, Chadwick is your teacher. Listen to him and learn.

One thing we have been taught is to repeat the OM MANI PEME HUNG mantra for animals as this will create the cause for rebirth as a human. It is also good to repeat the name of Amitabha to them or to say Amitabha's mantra, OM AMI DEWA HRI, as this will create the cause for rebirth in Amitabha's Pure Land.

Palzang

jacx

Thank you all so much!

Chadwick's still hanging on. He's avoiding the other cats, but is spending a bit of time again with humans (he'd been hiding under the couch for the past few days, that's why I was so convinced his death was imminent).

I had my Mandarin class at the Chinese temple yesterday, one of the nuns gave me a little speaker that plays Namo Amitofo on an endless loop, and said that when he goes, she'll make up a rebirth plaque for him and hang it in the Buddha hall for a month.

She said that her teacher always taught that Amitabha will come for animals too, and that if Chadwick hears the name enough in the next few days he'll start to recite along in his heart. It's a nice thought, isn't it?

Palzang

That's great, jacx! We have a saying on our Prayer Without Ceasing website that says, "It has been said that praying for others is not the least you can do for them, but the most."

Palzang

Knitwitch

Well when my time comes, I'm not going anywhere my friends can't come too - so the ones who have gone before will be waiting for me.

Brigid

Palzang wrote: »

As we are taught,

The three states of transmigratory existence are impermanent like clouds in the autumn sky.
Sentient beings are born and die like the whirl of a dance.
The lifespan of beings is like a lightning flash in space,
Or like a waterfall quickly rushing down a steep mountain.
All accumulations become exhausted.
All those who are elevated eventually fall down.
At the end of meeting comes separation;
At the end of life comes death.
Like a prisoner being led to execution,
Each step that he takes leads closer to death.
If there is birth, there is death.
If there is expansion, there is regression.
Youth is also impermanent
For even illness can steal the dexterity of youth.
The happiness of life is robbed by death.
There is nothing of this world that is permanent.
No matter where one stays, there is no escape from death.
There is no direction where death does not exist.
There is no escape in the atmosphere nor in the depths of the ocean,
Nor is there any escape inside, over the crest of the mountains.
Palzang

Loved this, Palzang! Can I print it for myself?

Jacx,

So good to here Chadwick is rallying. I hope he continues to improve and you're both able to enjoy each other's company for a good while yet.

Hugs to both of you.

P.S. I do gentle chanting with my cats and my sister's cats. I don't know for sure if it has any effect on them but I know it doesn't hurt them and it's good for me.

Palzang

Of course you can, Boo. That is one of the four contemplations in our ngondro (preliminary practice) that turn the mind towards the Dharma, the contemplation on impermanence.

Palzang

jacx

Thank you all for your prayers and kind thoughts.

Despite a valiant effort, Chadwick succumbed to liver disease this evening.

He will be greatly missed.

jj5

jacx,

you have my deepest sympathy, i am so sorry for your loss.

bushinoki

jacx, I am sorry to hear that. You have my sympathy and condolences over the loss of one of your dearest friends.

Knitwitch

Pass on safely, child of Bast and be with Jacx again soon.

Palzang

May Chadwick experience a precious human rebirth and have the rare opportunity to hear the Dharma.

Palzang

harlan

I'm sad to hear about your friend passing. Wishing you peace.

Brigid

Oh, Jacx, I'm so sorry. Bless your heart. I'm sending you hugs and and my deepest wishes for comfort and peace.

Good bye, Chadwick. May you be reborn a human and hear the precious Dhamma.