While having pets is truly a blessing, it is absolutely heart-wrenching when you have to say goodbye. Is something like this added stress to the process?

Last night, I received a message I knew eventually would come, but one I never was prepared to get, that my cat isn't doing all too well. For the last year, subtle things would slightly be noticed, but nothing all too abnormal like fur matting up. Every time I would return home, I would see my cat and be filled with happiness.

Let me introduce you to Sabre.

Sabre as of this day is an 11-year-old Maine Coon mix. With utter ferocity, he was a handful as a kitten. Over the years, while still just as fierce as ever, he began to show a much more loving side. One who will always want to be anywhere near you for a cuddle. In the last month, he has slowly declined.

When moving here to Central New York, I left my friend behind because all he knew was my mom's house, and at his somewhat advanced age, I didn't want to put him through a traumatic experience. He still had my mother and another few fur babies around him, he would still be home. Sadly, the next time I return home, I may be saying goodbye to my friend.

Now that you've met Sabre, let me tell you about how this story gets a little tougher. This cute boy is being taken to the vet, the plan or hope was for Wednesday, our fear is he may need to cross the rainbow bridge. We have expressed that fear to the local veterinarian in the Capital Region. We also have expressed how a member of this kitties family will be coming to the area from Utica to spend his final moment together. Still, when calling Tuesday morning, the vet had said an appointment cannot be scheduled in advance as it is deemed an emergency. That we would need to call back tomorrow to see if there is an appointment then.

What this has done has left a lot of things up in the air. When am I taking off from work? How quickly will the appointment be made, and will there be enough time to drive the 1.5 hours home to see my fur friend? Questions, quite honestly, I don't want to be stressed about during this already tough time. I sit here and wonder, is this a typical practice for vets? Do ones in Central New York do this? Is this abnormal?

One thing I can say for sure is how wonderful throughout the entire process so far this radio station has been. How caring and understanding an employer is about a topic like this is truly heartwarming.

If this is goodbye Sabre, it is not goodbye forever. I love you, my cute boy.