The cat lady suggested that Ophelia is really Orlando since the gender identity flipped. So Orlando it is. And Orlando he was. I went to the vet to pick him up this morning. I was going to release him in my yard and then go on to work. I was notified when I arrived (which is totally OK) that Orlando passed away some time in the night. He woke from the anesthesia yesterday and they are puzzled as to why he didn’t make it over night.

I figure it could be any reason. Too much stress, heart murmur, knowing that he didn’t want to live in the wild but he couldn’t live this lifetime with humans either. I don’t know. The Beloved is going to try and contact him on lunchbreak and see if there is any message for me. I have of course sent my own.

I’m sure going to miss you my wild beautiful boy.

I’m glad that if he was going to pass away that he did it where we could find him, where he was safe, and where he will be taken care of. I couldn’t bear the idea of him dying of cold or a car or disease. I guess this is for the best but damn, it hurts.

Yesterday I had been looking online for prayers to Bast and all I could find were death prayers. Of course there are more prayers to Bast than that but I did keep finding the death prayers. I guess she was trying to tell me. But honestly, I wasn’t ready to hear it until this morning.

*sniff*

Goodnight, my lovely brave wild boy, may flights of the fae wing you to your peace and may your next life be one of warmth, love, food, and whatever you heart desires but wasn’t sure you could have. I’ll see you next time around.

Update: Oh. My. Goddess. I just realized that this related to my journeys with The Morrigan and Hekate. Doh! It sure isn’t fun being the one to help wild critters pass over.

Update 2:  This is what The Ex received when he contacted Orlando:

He is happy and relieved — no more pain or cold or fear.
 
He knows you love him and he’s grateful for that.
 
You didn’t think of this on your own — there is a bigger picture — and because of the connection you made with him, he was anxious to leave so he could come back again but closer to people.
 
He’s still there on the patio — listen for him.
 

And what’s funny is I’ve felt all day that he released the body on purpose.  It wasn’t sick, he just wanted to throw the dice again for a better, cozier life.  And they are predicting cold and snow for tomorrow.