Muffin Thomas VanCleave
8/23/81-3/23/98

Muffin was born August 23, 1981. She came to live with me Christmas 1984, a gift from my parents. One that I will never forget.

Muffin was a great companion. I am very lucky to have spent the years with her. I have many other animals. But Muffin was special. The others are happy to see anybody. Muffin only wanted me.

Even after she went blind, she could tell if I was close. She would be able to find me anywhere in the house. Of course with age, her health declined. But until this last time, medicine could fix anything that was wrong.

Muffin got sick Friday, March 20. We made many trips and calls to the vet over that weekend. Watching her get worse was one of the hardest things I've ever done. We knew by Sunday she was suffering. We figured we would have her put to sleep on Monday.

Sunday, around midnight, I put Muffin on my lap and talked to her. I petted her. I sang to her. I told Muffin it was alright to let go. I didn't want her to suffer for me anymore. Then I prayed. I told God I was ready to let go. Muffin fell asleep. I put her back in the tub on her towels. I slept until 4 a.m. I checked on Muffin. She was asleep and breathing. I checked again at 5:15. Still breathing. Her I.V. was tangled. So I straightened it.

At 5:30, I looked in and could instantly tell she was gone. God had saved me from making the decision. Muffin was no longer in pain.

I am glad she is no longer suffering. I miss her terribly. I thank God for the time we had together. And I thank my family for understanding and supporting me through this. I'm sure there will never be another like Muffin.