What did you think of the library board's desire for Dewey to "retire" to Vicki's house to live out the last months of his life?
Daily Kitten Chat Forum » TDK Book Club
Dewey Discussion - Question 12
(17 posts)-
Posted 2 years ago by ILoveMyCats #
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I think it reflected a lack of understanding of Dewey's importance to the library, the community and to Vicki. It also made me think that the board members were uncomfortable with having a cat there who was not in the prime of life or in good health. As a society, I think we sometimes shrink from facing these issues in ourselves and others. We'd rather not look at them or be reminded of them. Death is a part of life. It was important for the entire community to be able to bear witness to Dewey's decline and for them to say good-bye to him and vice versa. It would have been cruel to take Dewey from the place where he had so many friends to comfort him.
Posted 2 years ago by Kitten Whisperer #
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I thought that was rather typical of so many people. When youth is gone and aging becomes hard to watch, many people react by removing the source of their discomfort. For all that Dewey meant to that town, to that library, I thought that the attempted action by the library board was thoughtless, selfish and reprehensible. Good for Vicki for standing up to them, and good for the others who did the same.
Posted 2 years ago by WillowandWindismom #
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I agree that Dewey needed to be kept comfortable and be more protected from rough contact, but it seems to me that being in the library setting was a source of comfort. :)
Posted 2 years ago by Kitten Whisperer #
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Was Vicki's view that they wanted rid of him because he was old accurate, or was it because they were worried about his health? Clearly Vicki felt it was about his appearance, but I know that when people have strong views about things they can pick things up wrongly, or take offense where none is meant - I know I've done that before. If they wanted him away from the stress, cold lonely nights and possibly rough people at the library then it's humane and right. What if he had a problem during the night when noone was there, or someone had grabbed him wrong and hurt him accidentally? Maybe he had earned a peaceful retirement. At the same time, I understand that Vicki felt that he was in the right place and the best place for him, even given the risks, and since she knew him best perhaps she was right.
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I don't recall from the book--didn't Vicki take Dewey home at night during his final illness?
Dewey might have died alone if Vicki had to leave him at home while she was at work. That would have caused me great anguish if I'd been in her position. I felt like Vicki was entitled to make the call on where Dewey spent his final days.
Posted 2 years ago by Kitten Whisperer #
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KW, I believe that Dewey stayed at the library throughout his final illness. Vicki seemed so convinced that Dewey would not be happy at her house, although he would tolerate being there for short periods. She truly felt that the library was Dewey's life and his love, and that he would be unhappy anywhere else.
Posted 2 years ago by WillowandWindismom #
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bump - I think this one fell off of the main page!
Posted 2 years ago by WillowandWindismom #
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I agree, Kittymom. I don't think that I could have stood to get in my car at the end of the day and leave Dewey alone. Probably would have set up a cot somewhere!
Posted 2 years ago by WillowandWindismom #
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Or taken him back and forth if he could handle the journey. I think she did know him best and knew how he would be happiest. To take him out of the liabrary might have hastened his death
Posted 2 years ago by Cat talk rules #
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For cats, it's all about real estate. They are very attached to their "place." To be removed from the library to stay somewhere else when he was old and ill would have added to his stress, IMHO. It probably gave him comfort to be in the place where he had spent his evenings for his entire life.
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I thought of it like when my dad got sick. He went into a care facility because my mom could not take care of him. If that staff at the library couldn't take care of Dewey it would have been right to keep him with the one who could, but it was obvious they were willing and able to help him so the library was the place for him to stay.
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I learned thru my boys that their last days must, if at all possible, be somewhere where they are most at ease. Dewey loved that library.
I knew Jiggs was seriously ill, but he was happy at home. I knew that taking him to the vet and a specialist further away would only stress him out more. I felt strongly that with his heart condition, he might very well have had a heart attack on the way to the heart specialist and I believe with my decision, Jiggs happily lived an extra 6 months (he hated traveling; home with mama was heaven to him). His last hours were spent in front of the fire on his favorite blanket (which is my favorite too; not a coincidence). Had I taken him for tests and probably treatment, my guess is that he would have spent his last hours in the hospital. I am confident with my decision and his last looks at me confirmed this belief.Posted 2 years ago by JoanfromNewJersey #
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