I am sorry.

I wouldn't have thought this was the proper place for such a post.

But in any event, as a pet lover myself, and member of various humane societies, I feel for you. Its always a difficult situation. You are primary care giver to what is a member of your family. You'll know when the time is right. Best wishes to your precious kitty.

I do hope you understand that the feelings you are having are very normal. I to had 2 cats for 20 Years and both died of Kidney failure during the bad pet food times. They were sisters and as one died the other looked on. Heartbroken I did put both to sleep three months apart.I shed many tears and stopped seeing people for a few weeks.

I still grieve their loss and some how feel there presence in my home. We spent every minute of every day that I was there together. They slept with me in my bed and gave me comfort in times when I thought I couldn't go on.

Tears are allowed and encouraged at this point. Plenty of affection should be shared in these final loving days that you care for her. This is the time to start saying goodby slowly. I'm not going to say it's easy and maybe I shouldn't say it at all but this is how both of my cats went to sleep forever.

It is painless and very quick. You can give her love and pet her while they give her the injection. She will be calm and you will lovingly be by her side to the end. I don't think they know what is happening to them  although in the wild animals go off by themselves to die.

Please be kind and gentle to yourself and your needs

Kisses Haley

Just days ago, I brought my 19 year old cat in to be "put down".  Several years earlier we were told she had kidney problems and was on borrowed time.  All the vets who saw her since were amazed how well she was up until about a month ago.

I "adopted" her (or shall I say she accepted me?)back when I was single.  She's seen a lot of girlfriends, a wife, and several kids.

When the doc said "it's time" last week, I brought her home so everyone could say their "good byes".  The kids are young, but they really loved the cat, and will miss her, as will I.

I took her in solo... first appointment in the morning.  Not the first time we put a pet to sleep, but that doesn't make it any easier.

Well, wherever they go... my cat is waiting for your's to arrive... and together they'll chase birds, mice, balls of yarn and all the good things that cats do.

Cats are very special in the unconditional love they offer... it's hard, but when the right time comes, you need to reciprocate.

We love our cats!!

My cat, Sunshine is 14. Last month he stopped eating and drinking water. He had lost a fair amount of weight and it looked grim. The Vet found that he was constipated and needed more liquid  vegetable mass in his diet. After an enema and some blood tests combined with a change in his diet he is a now a happy cat.

Our pets become very special to us. My cat Sunshine meets me at the door almost every night.
He's sitting on my right at this time watching the changes on the screen. He particulary likes the moving mouse.

What's best is when I've had an escort over to the house he likes women and can't talk about it!

RX

Your pain is as real as watching your child die. I am sorry.

At this point, I would urge you to think about kitty and not about yourself. Just because she cannot speak, does not mean she can be ignored...every living being deserves dignity.

It sounds harsh, but do think about letting her go. If she is living on borrowed time, then keeping her hanging would be selfish - the choice sometimes is between your grief and her pain.

My best friend, Shadow, ran away one cruel, cold winter night when I was 17 -- after being my buddy for 14 years.  He was my buddy the second we saw each other.  When all the stupid pug puppies cowered in their lil puppy barn like wusses, my Shadow leapt right into my arms and burrowed into my coat.  I still get teary when I think about him.

There is nothing wrong with grieving for a loved one, and a pet counts.  Sometimes our pets our closer to us than family.  Our pets are our nigh-CONSTANT companions, always with us at least when we're in the home and sometimes more often... they see us at our best, our worst, and everywhere in between, and they love us all of the time anyway.  They never judge us when others would.

If your kitty is in no pain, and still seems to be having a good time, then sure, cling a little.  But once it becomes clear that she is not enjoying herself any longer, please, let her go.  *hugs*

Have you tried giving her some special foods that might pep her up? I gave a cat fried chicken every day the last couple months of her life. As sick as she was, I swear she lived for that. At least I know she died happy.

It's tough going through that, I know. I've spent 6 grand this year on vet bills to get my cat healthy again. Like you said, pet lovers understand.

for you know that is what we are.

I have two, and they both run me ragged.

My prayers that you and your kitty have only happiness left in whatever amount of time you have.

As a fellow cat lover...

you are a lucky man.  

While I feel for your separating from your friend, death is a part of life, and it is how we deal with death that is often the largest aspect of the issue in our lives.

You had a very long time with your one friend...like having been married to the same woman for 50 years or something.  When you have said goodbye to her and are ready, celebrate your bond with her, the effect she has had on your life, the memories you have of her, and that you have been touched so deeply by such a magnificent animal. It is what she would deserve, and hopefully will make you focus on what you gained from her more than the loss of her in your physical life.

Peace.

Prancer, my 1st Manx Cat was with me for 17 ½ years. She was given to me as a Christmas gift and I have to say that she was the best gift I have ever received. From the moment I first held her when she was only about 8 wks old until the last time I held her watching her die in my arms, that baby was there for me & she always loved me so much.
It's been a little over a year since I lost Prancer & sometimes I miss her so much that I feel like my heart is being ripped out of my chest. This only happens when I 'm alone & able to completely break down & sob like a baby. I sometimes wonder if I'm crazy for acting this way, she was "just a cat." But then I realize that she was so much more than that, she shared my entire adult life with me, no matter what I did or what I was going through, she unconditionally loved me. It's no wonder my heart still aches for her.
A big chunk of my heart was taken when I lost Prancer, I now realize that she took it with her to that Rainbow Bridge to keep her company until the day comes that I cross that bridge in search of my special baby. At that time she'll give that piece of my heart back to me  & we can then be together again forever.

"If you want to know the measure of a man, ask what his cat thinks of him."  

- I can't remember author.


-SR

Thanks Everybody:

Wow what a group of cat lovers. I love most animals but cats are my favorite and especially this precious kitty. I got her right after my first wife and I separated and the comfort she provided was amazing.  I am just sure she knows when I am upset and will be extra affectionate.
I was really self concious about starting a thread like this. I just needed to write my little tribute to her. Everybodys compassion is very much appreciated.  I just have to let her go in the next few days I am sure. She really has had a wonderful life and I feel good that I was such a devoted and good cat servant as Mr. Fisher wisely pointed out.

By the way her real name is Caledonia thus the Cal part of my handle.  I alway have called her my precious kitty intead of Caledonia. At first it always cracked me and my friends up to do that but it stuck all these years.

She will always be with me in my heart right along side a few people that have also touched my life

So thanks again. I am now really happy I started this thread because people wrote such touching tributes to their own cats that maybe it was cathartic for others as well. I think people who love cats also have a special bond



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Went thru this a few yrs ago. Hurt like hell when the Vet injected her..but it was time. I was with her till the very end..Cried like a baby while it was going on..

Presently Ive got a white cat , one blue & one green eye..He is my bud..Never had a cat that was so "dog like"..He is startng to get on a bit..definitley sleeping more than in the past..
He is 8yrs old..Hopefully we will be together for many more yrs but I know its really gonna hurt when his time comes.

I know how you feel Had a cat for 17yrs, Allie cat...died of cancer, took his last breath in my arms at 5am on a summer Tues morning,as the sun was rising, my dear friend was passing. Watched the life slip away from him and was happy I could hold him and help ease his passing. Cinny by my side, all through it, she was deeply saddened as well. There was so much sorrow in the air that morning. It was devistating.
2 goldens, Cinny was 18yrs when she passed, and Cloe was 15 who passed 3 months later. All three were pals and all passed within 6 months of each other.  When Allie died Cinny grieved his passing when Cinny died Cloe was never the same again, even my vet said to be ready, they were very close, and it was not unexpected. It was a truely sad year for me. My kids were all sad, but I had the animals before the kids, for me it was devistating. We shared so much together, all three were with me before my 2 youngest were born, my oldest was a baby when Cinny was a pup. It broke my heart.
I did a lot of digging in the back yard that year, they are all out in my woods right next to each other, it still breaks my heart. I feel we were very lucky to have had them in our lives. Very lucky. And they all lived very good lives. All were pound rescues and they were great friends. I have gotten another dog since, not a golden though, and can't bring myself to get another cat yet I just can't do it. Allie was truely one of a kind.
Was given a horse when I was 7 spent every moment from then on at the barn for the next 8yrs. He passed when I was 15 that was terrible. I am just now starting to think about another horse. Pets are so involved in our lives, we invest so much of our heart into it.
I know how you feel.




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Re: Post for pet lovers

I'm so sad to hear about the condition of your companion in life. That seems to be what many of our pets are to us. With having kids, we always had a lot of pets, but it never got easier, for me, when they died. I still miss many of them, cats and dogs. My favorite, though was Lighting. She had her litter of kittens, when I was about 10, in my bed while I was asleep. I felt so privileged.

I hope you find sources of comfort during this time. I'll be thinking of you.

The only real difference between our pets and our kids is the number of legs. (And maybe the fact that they're always on the wrong side of the door)

I'm so sorry to hear about your friend, and yes, this is the perfect place for you to talk about it. Where else are you going to find this many peole who genuinely care all in one place?

I had a hard time whether to put that smiley face on the subject line but overall I think it is appropriate.

I just could not face the inevitable and will admit I had two glasses of wine before I wrote about this last night. I was in some serious denial hoping she would pull out of it. With all the touching stories and support from you guys I took today off and called the vet. Kitty always freaked out when she had to go to the vet.  I mean really terrified and scared. She was always that way and had quite a reputation as a difficult patient

So I asked the vet  alot of questions about her prognosis and if she would be willing to come to my house to put her to sleep because I did not want her to be terrified right before she passes on. She said she would but I could not bring myself to give the go ahead.

Then I called her back asked all the same questions again and made the decision. My precious kitty will be put to sleep tomorrow around noon Eastern Time at my house. She and I will be sitting in the recliner where we have a morning ritual her laying on me before I go to work. She will be cremated and I will spread her ashes in the landscaping where she spent so many joyous hours. The vet said she would be crying right along with me

I decided to do it before she really starts suffering and with confirmation from the vet that this would only get worse with time. It's time to let her go. I know I would have waited to long for my own selfish reasons if you guys did not write to me. So thanks one more time, and also for the PM's.

She is one sweet kitty who live a long and happy life



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What a great story . . .

I, too, am an animal lover and miss my little boy terribly. However, I still have a great little girl who missed me very much when I was away for three weeks. I love her as my daughter and will be horrified when she passes away. I have my little boy in an URN, and when my baby girl dies, I will place some of her ashes with his and place them in particular places where they liked to sit and/or play. The rest will be sent to the Heaven with me.

Hugs & smooches,
Ciara

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I most certainly feel for you as just this past week I had to put my 14 year old dog down that I have had since he was 8 months old.  It has been extremely tough as I too do not have any kids either so my pets are my children and are very spoiled.  Many of my friends knew that my baby Bear was my son and my cat is my little girl.  The only way I am getting thru it is knowing two things...one he had a great life and was loved & gave love, the other is my cat has been my constant companion and I know she misses her buddy too. Hang in there, it is tough but do what your heart tells you - if it were you would you want to live life that way....probably not.  So my thoughts and prayers are with you and your baby.

Misty

It is really hard to part with a pet that you have had for years.  Earlier this year, I had to put down a pekingese that I owned for 14 years.  It was heartbreaking to take him to the vet and say goodbye to him, but he had deteriorating health for the past few months and could not move anymore.  

I have had three other pekingese males that have also died of old age (15-16), and it has been extremely painful each time.  I shed tears when each of them died.  

Pets really do become a part of your family.