about 4am Pledges had bit into his tongue and spilled a lot of blood. Who knows how much pain he must have been under. Previous to that Anne was on the phone talking with the Walk in clinic and we put Pledges, my 18 year old little guy inside and called a cab. The cab was here like in 5 minutes. We took him with us leaving out of here at about 4:30am. The cab ride was about 20 minutes and after some forms to process we found ourselves in a small waiting room adjoining a lab. The room was designed to allow pet owners time with their loved ones. "Stick your head through the door and let us know your ready." We said our goodbyes to Pledges at 5am. My wife was heart broken and in tears. I shed my tears on the way there.

"Ok, we're ready. Goodbye Pledges. I love you."

Five minutes later she brought his remains out in the blanket we we provided to make his ride comfortable. Anne cried. The attendant was very nice talking with us. We paid the $105 fee and were able to take Pledges home with us. the above photo is of Pledges and me taken at about 11:45pm last night. Today is without a doubt the worst day of my life so far.

We had a difficult walk to Jasper Ave where we caught a bus up the street to Corona station (Tim's) and had a breakfast sausage sandwich and hash browns and coffee. We took the LRT South to South for the ride back just to be alone with Pledges. It was 7am by the time we got to the apartment.

Anne wanted to clean up his body especially his mouth covered in blood. he looked terrible. Our next move is to store Pledges in the freezer for a couple of weeks and then we're going to have him cremated with his ashes stored in an urn.

Sleep came very hard through out the morning. I got up about 1pm feeling heart broken. I still am. I fixed a coffee and Anne gradually got up out of bed. She has to work 3 hours today. I called into work to let them know. Jattin is one of Jerry's assistants and took the call. Jattin's wife (from India) is a veterinarian there and he felt really bad for me. As long as Pledges isn't feeling any pain, that's the most important part.

Sorry for sounding depressed and all but this post is more of in Pledges honor then anything else. I've always believed in God and an afterlife. Kind of like in the movie Gladiator where near the end he joined his family. I think that's what the afterlife is like because when I go, I want to be with Pledges and my wife.

About half an hour ago I decided to call the church where Mary might still be attending. Mary was my friend and neighbor that lived own the hall with her roommate Tracy in a 2 bedroom apartment on the same floor in the early 1990's. She had long blonde hair and I was rather infatuated with her. She was 28 and I was 39 when I had got Pledges. I was working with Associated Canadian Travelers (ACT) Edmonton Club doing fundraising pulling in long hours. In June of 1991 Mary thought I should have a companion. She always associated me with an orange cat. She was scouting out the Westmount pet shop and had a nice orange kitty all scoped out for me. She knew I got paid every Friday. She wanted me to get the cat before somebody else did. I was reluctant but agreed and the cat cost me $100. Mary rushed over to my place of work and took the $100 I gave her while Tracy was left behind to lay claim to the unnamed cat. I met them at the Westmount bus terminal and there was this orange kitty snuggled up in Tracy's jacket I name him Pledges because at work we get pledges. 

It was dental work that was his achilles heel. In 1998 I had him at The General veterinary clinic for a weekend. One of the worst weekends of my life. Then about 4 years ago before I became diabetic Pledges had additional dental work. His problem was he didn't take to his crunchies like my other cat Mary got for me, Silky 6 years after I got Pledges. Pledges best years were with me before Silky because Silky wasn't fixed. Mary had a couple of boyfriends I was keeping an eye on during the mid 1990's. I was happy she got married but at that time sad for myself. Then I got married of course 9 years ago. It was dental trouble that was Pledges downfall. 

I love you Pledges, always in my heart.

Anyway gang, that's all for now.

Jim