I am a cat lover.  I have three who have been my companions for over 10 years, and to say I am attached to them is an understatement.  Rufina, my youngest of the three, was diagnosed 4 years ago with cancer.  We were able to remove her spleen and the prognosis was great.  About 8 months ago, she became sick again and while we have been able to relieve many of her symptoms, her time with us is limited.  I have been struggling with this because quite frankly, she doesn't look or act sick, and unlike any of the other cats I have had, who gave me no reason to doubt that the right thing to do was to allow them a peaceful passage, Rufina is tearing at my heart.  Last week, I called for an emergency appointment and as my veterinarian was not at the clinic, I saw Dr. Jan. 

Dr. Jan spent a great deal of time with us, but what I am most grateful for, is her presence and compassionate honesty.  She was never distracted, looked me in the eye and shared in my grief.  In the 1/2 hour I spent with her, her presence allowed me to move from distress and anxiety to acceptance of the inevitable and the confidence that I would be able to know when the time was right to let Rufina go.  It is never easy being the bearer of difficult news.  Yet in this moment, Dr. Jan's gift to me was her extraordinary ability to meet me in my pain without trying to fix me or make me feel better. 

Our lives are filled with difficult moments, and the ability to meet someone exactly where they are, without judgment or attempting to "make it better", allows us to heal and move through our lives with a bit more ease and hope, even in the difficult times.  Thank-you Dr. Jan for the blessings of your presence and compassion.  Today, Rufina is having a good day!