I don't know what it is but everytime I have an animal, they are fine one day and sick the next. Never any warning, just---BOOM!!

Simon,the black lab, was wagging his tail, running and playing, eating his dinner on a fine day in September 2006. The next morning--BOOM--complete kidney failure. Then again, he WAS 11 years old with some other health problems but he always seemed like the Energizer Bunny, never going to give out. I'm still not over this shock of losing him, it is as strong today as it was 8 months ago.

Corky,my stray dog I found in the neighborhood and chased for 3 months before catching him, ate his dinner,jumped up on my bed, curled up and took a snooze,as usual. The next morning--BOOM!  His back legs gave out completely on him, he could no longer walk. Then again, HE was 17 years old and I was always preparing myself, especially once he got past 12 for the inevitable. But,my God, like THAT? Geese,Louise! Another shock that still sizzles inside when I think of him, though it's been a few years now.

Now just yesterday, BusterBrat the cat, came meowing up to me as usual, he talks to me all the time. I gave him his favorite cat food, and petted him for awhile,he was just fine. This morning,however, when I called him and he came chatting away up to me---BOOM! His eye was all cloudy and oozy. What could have happened in just those few hours? I rushed him to the vet and they couldn't figure out what was wrong so now I have to take him to an eye specialist on Friday. The vet said he doesn't appear to have any pain and he passed the vision test so he can see alright I guess. But it is as if there is some sort of film over his eye that was a mystery to them.

This latest incident has truly opened MY eyes. I can't believe sometimes how much I take my pets for granted and that they will always be here and healthy. You just get so used to them. On one hand, it was a blessing that their ailments took them quickly without any suffering, I made sure of that. It's just the abruptness of it all that leaves me with this........."wait a minute!" feeling. "Can we roll the tape back and play that again because I'm not sure exactly what just happened here!"  The movie was over much too soon. 

I'm confident my BusterKitty will come through with flying colors, he's got plenty of those nine lives left yet. But I can't help but wonder what HE will come down with in a second's notice.

Can "eye" have just a little warning next time??