Posted on 10/21/2008 12:08:50 PM PDT by Jay Thomas
Mr. Bill was given to me by my fiance about 20 years ago. He's a black/grey tiger shorthair with a healthy weight of 12 pounds.
The past week was very bad for him and so I will take him to the vet this evening and say good-bye.
He was the first cat my wife and I shared together and he's been with us during out whole marriage. He lived a long and healthy life until the past month where things steadily went downhill, accelerating rapidly the past week.
He was named after the SNL character of old. Seemed I was always saying "Oh no, Mr. Bill!!!"
sorry for your loss, I know how you feel.
Having to put a beloved pet to sleep is one of life's big hurts.
My condolences as well. Cats have always had a special place in my life and in my heart.
I can still remember the first time I saw a Cat. I was about 4 years old and was utterly fascinated with them and still am.
I lost my 15 year old Tuxedo Cat 2 years ago and am still heartbroken over it despite adopting a Cat from the Animal Rescue shelter shortly after losing him.
We had a special bond most people would never understand, and although he was very alert and street smart, he was hit by a car.
I was devastated by the loss and still am to this day.
Take time to grieve, then go rescue a Cat from the shelter.
I adopted a 1 year old Female, as the older Cats don’t stand as good a chance at finding a home as do Kittens.
I would have loved to adopt a Kitten, but I knew that “Tabitha” needed a home and would not have made it had I not adopted her.
You can never replace a special friend, but you can make a new one while saving a life.
And I do believe that our pets will be in heaven, waiting for us.
I just went through a similar situation, Jay. My wife and I had to have our beloved kitty Sophie put to sleep on Fathers Day morning. She was 17.
My wife adopted/saved her shortly before we started dating. Her mother was a farm cat and was hit by a car so my wife bottle fed her and her littermates. She was more like a puppy for the rest of her life rather than a cat. Always wanted to be with you and especially at sleep time she either slept next to me or on my wife’s head. The cat was not very bright but the love she gave outshined that by a longshot. She had some health problems throughout her life but had dome remarkably well for her age for the most part. We came home from a family function on the Saturday night before Fathers day and she was struggling to breathe. We took her to the emergency vet the next morning and they said that she was going to die that day no matter what they did so we made the decision. It was honestly the hardest thing I have ever done. My wife and I dont have kids so the kitty and our bulldog are/were like our children. I said something to my wife that she repeated to many of our friends. I said “when people’s kids get to be older teenagers they send them off to college. When your pets get to be teenagers you have to put them down. It just doesnt seem right.”
Buy lots of Kleenex, buddy. You will need it. It will get easier after a while but if you are anything like me, you will be in for a rough patch for a bit. I have tears in my eyes just typing this post. I will keep you in my prayers- Big Red Clay
Over the years, I’ve lost a couple of great cats... I understand your loss.
20 years is a good long life. You could not do more and need to keep the memories.
I waited to see the vet with a room full of people just crying my eyes out. It was evident that he was really not well. When I came out after he was gone I had to wait in line to pay for the vet's services. A little girl who was there with her pet walked up to me and put her arms around my waist and told me it would be ok. God does send us angels in times of trial.
Blessings to you, your wife and to Bill.
Some don’t understand the sadness of losing a friend of the animal persuasion. Mr. Bill has joined my cat Gracie, and “handsome hound”, Taz, both of whom left us within the past 7 months...:(
I understand.
Sorry to hear about your kitty. I still miss my Leon, even after 8 years.
Sorry for your loss.
I had a part Burmese named Larla for twenty years. She went to the Rainbow Bridge in 1999. I know this is hard, but you sure gave Mr. Bill a great kitty-life.
Well said, Pistol.
I have a twenty year-old cat here now, and I know what will have to be done sooner or later with her.
It's not time yet, though.
I’m so very sorry. It is so difficult to give up our beloved animal friends, harder still to have to make that decision for them. We have a 19-yo cat who we love very much also and I am dreading that time. I’m sure Mr. Bill has had the best possible life with you and your wife.
Try to take some comfort that Mr. Bill isn’t hurting any more. That’s all you can do. It’s hard to lose family!
May you and Mr. Bill meet again, at the Rainbow Bridge.
I know our Guthrie is waiting there for the wife and I.
Any kitty named Mr. Bill has got to be a darn good companion!
It’s so hard to let them go, and we all know they would stay if they had a choice.
Rest easy in the knowledge that you WILL be reunited!
In the meantime, *HUGS*
‘Face
Thanks for the laugh!
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