Phudd
Posted on 05/25/2007 4:28:35 PM PDT by Grizzled Bear
This creature had been part of my life for almost 17 years. He wasn't exactly a normal cat. He was built like a medium sized dog. When he was healthy he weighed over 20 pounds. Today he weighed just over 10 pounds and was skin and bone.
He had been sick on and off for about a year. Antibiotics helped but he never completely recovered. This morning he really looked bad. We called the vet and took him in. I already expected the worst. The vet said his temp was 92 F (normal is about 101). I expected him to have a fever because was looking for cool places to lie down.
It was so hard but I asked the Vet to put him to sleep. The Dr reassured me that this was the best choice, with treatments he might have another week or two and either be in pain or doped up. I said to do it and dear God it hurts. My wife and I held him and stroked his fur until long after he was gone. His cheek rested on my hand the entire time. At about 12:45 this afternoon he passed away.
Through tears, Mrs Bear said she never thought the loss of a cat would be so painful. When she first "met" him they had trouble getting along. Before getting to know her; he never liked anybody but me. After some time they warmed up to each other. Today she's heartbroken. To be honest, so am I.
Whenever she would sing he would run up to her, sit at attention and listen to her. She asked if animals go to heaven and if we will see him again. The best I could do was a verse from Ecclesiates 3:21.
He traveled with me from the US to Europe and back. Whether I was in the livingroom watching a DVD, studying at the kitchen table or FReeping; he was always right next to me. I keep expecting to turn and see him in his usual places.
Thanks for listening.
I’m so sorry for your loss.
Phudd
My sidekick lab is getting pretty gray, and quite long in the tooth. I just can’t imagine waking up without him nipping at my heels for a dog biscuit.
I’ve got your six.
Sorry to hear about this GB...
The only thing that may give comfort is that you give them a good home, payed attention to them, and hopefully the last thing they see is you and the love you gave them while they were with you...
My bud “Flyer” said once that if dogs didn’t go to heaven, he wouldn’t bother going...Basically...
I’ve got my own problems with my girl Dalmatian now...Shes actually getting a little old (11 years), and shes having some issues that are becoming difficult to treat...
I may be having to make a long drive up to our future home up in N.E. Texas to make sure she’s there when we finally get ourselves settled in our new digs...
Rest easy sir...The reward you’ve earned is waiting for you with trusted friends...
If Glock sez he has your six you are covered as he is the man!
Eaker
Thanks glock,
I pray your sidekick is with you happy and healthy for many years.
GB
Thanks stevie,
Your words mean a lot. I hope your girl stays strong.
GB
I just saw your post today. I hope that you feel a little better now that a few more days have passed. I lost two of my beloved kitties six months apart in 2005 .. the last was my 19 year old female who would not let me out of her sight. (The first was my beloved grey boy “Dude” who was a wonderful kitty himself. He died 12 days after Christmas). She would often sit on the desk next to me and lay her head on my arm for hours. God, I loved that kitty. She dies in my arms early one morning. The pain I felt for weeks, and almost two years later I still tear up at times just thinking about her. It’s amazing how you can get so attached to a furry little beast, but she was quite a character.
My wife “hated” cats when we got married, but I convinced her that the little bouncing runt in the cage amongst her cuter siblings was the one with potential. The pet store was next door to the place I worked at back in 1986, and one day my wife picked me up after work. I couldn’t ignore the bouncing box on the seat next to me. I was so excited that although my wife had a noted dislike of cats, she loved me enough to surprise me with “that cat.” She grew to love that cat as much as I and we bawled for two days when she died. The soft spot will always remain, but it gets easier to breathe as more days go by.
God bless!
I’m so sorry for your loss.
Thanks, your words mean more that you know.
You’re welcome. It’s been almost a year since a similar experience for us, and like so many others here, we have an inkling of what you and Mrs. Bear are feeling.
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