It’s been a tough week with the loss of Vincent. On the 27th we sent a email to our financial supporters through GiveButter describing our last moments with Vincent. For all our friends and supporters who we do not have an email address, We want to share the same email with you this morning:
Dear Friends of Vincent and donors to Mandarin’s Retreat,
For those of you who do not know, our wonderful fighter and go getter cat Vincent died at 2155 at the El Paso Animal Emergency Center on Tuesday, 25 February. That afternoon, Vincent had undergone an MRI as a final diagnosis procedure to identify what was causing his sinus congestion, as a well as assess the potential spread of his cancer.
We decided on the MRI because Vincent had crashed on us the night before with symptoms that hinted at a stroke or, perhaps, a blood clot.
The procedure was done by a board certified cat neurologist, Dr. Antonio Bowens. Vincent stormed through the MRI without any issues, but we did learn that his cancer had returned with vengeance and was likely causing him the symptoms we’d observed.
When the procedure was completed, Vincent did not want to wake up. His heart rate was all over the place and he wasn’t very interested in recovering. The staff at the ER center watched, waited and provided all the support our kitty needed to recover. Dr. Bowens stayed with Vincent and when it appeared that Vincent would not pull through, he called Mrs H and we came to the ER.
When we arrived at the ER, Vincent was surrounded by a team of nurses, attendants and doctors. One surgical nurse was constantly stroking Vincent and taking to him. We spoke to Big V, petted him and said our goodbyes. Vincent had fought so hard and had tried so hard, but he indicated to Mrs H and myself that he had run his race as long as he could. We agreed with the surgical team and Dr. Bowens that it was time to ease him over the Rainbow Bridge. This we did with everyone of his team in attendance, each saying their own farewells.
The staff moved us to a private room and we spent some time alone with Vincent, telling little vignettes and how Vincent had won the hearts of every care giver who had spent time with him. Of note, the ER staff was jaw dropped when we mentioned that Vincent’s fans and supporters had raised over $13,000 for his care.
My wife and I would like to thank everyone of you for your inspiring generosity, engagement, care and love you have sent to Vincent and to Mandarin’s Retreat. The fact that Vincent and Mandarin – our founding cat – were so alike in their loving nature only strengthens our resolve to carry on the fight to care for the abandoned and unloved cats. We will carry on despite the heartbreak, with the firm knowledge that in the two months and six days Vincent was with us, his was loved, cared for and cuddled not only by us, but by you.
Thank you.