I just put my cat down

me ^ | 4/4/09 | self

[Califreak]

She was very sick. I don't know if I did the right thing.

I'm pro-life, but I feel like such a hypocrite.

[goat granny]

Having to put to sleep a beloved pet is hard. I had to do it for my dog 9 years ago..She had been in and out of kidney failure for a year. Animals tell you when its time. I would carry her outside to pee and when she couldn’t even squat without falling, it was time. Extending a very ill animals life is not merciful. Its sadistic. You did the right thing for your cat..

[haircutter]

Dear FR friend...

we have lost 3 min. schnauzers, our best friends...several years went by, I told hubby “I miss a pup” he said “yea me too”
we went looking for a new best friend, she is 4 years old, a soft coated wheaten terrier, and a cuddlier, soft and silky and just a great friend to both of us...

a house is not a complete home without a pet...so search and you too will find another pet that needs YOU..

Carole~~ in PA. retired and loving every min. of life left to us....

[usconservative]

The great thing about our beloved pets is that no matter how bad a day we've had, they love us just the same. Every day they give us the blessing of their companionship and affection.

The bad news is, we outlive them. That's just the way God intended it I suppose.

Even though I've had dogs (and a few cats..) my entire life, the reality is it never gets any easier letting them go. I've been where you are right now. I know how hard it hurts. The last time was about 4 years ago when I had to let my best friend "Jerry" go. I second guessed myself for the longest time, and to this day I'd give my right arm for just one more day with him. What a wonderful companion he was.

Above everything else right now, you should take comfort in the fact that you gave your pet a good life. As much of a companion your pet was to you, you were also a beloved companion to them. Our pets love us so much, they do everything they can to make us happy. I'll bet your cat was that way for you.

Take comfort knowing that you did the right thing by your pet. Not just today, but each day they were with you. And at the end, you loved them enough to not be selfish and make them hang on, but to mercifully end their suffering.

[texas_mrs]

Someday, another cat or dog will choose YOU.

[jennyjenny]

We brought our guy home and buried him in the garden where he liked to play and "hunt". I say hello to him every morning. Sometimes I still tear up.

I never thought I'd get another cat, but about a year after his death I came across a cat photo from our local humane society that looked almost exactly like our kitty. He had been there so long his fate was not looking good. He was on sale, lol. Marked waaaaay down. It's been a year now. As I type, he is on my lap purring while coming down from his catnip "high". Of course he'll never replace our beloved kitty, but he has brought us much joy and I'm so glad we were able to save him. I think he likes us, too. :)

Again, I am so sorry for your loss. You did do the right thing but I know that doesn't make the pain any less difficult right now. {{{{hugs}}}}

[BuffaloJack]

My condolences. This was a difficult and heart wrenching task for you. A few years ago our cat got to the point of heart attacks every few hours. He was in a lot of pain and had difficulty breathing. Putting him to sleep was difficult and sad. We got him as a kitten and he was part of our lives for 24 years.

[PA Engineer]

You did the right thing. A little over a year ago we almost lost our most beloved cat. We were lucky to have an advanced emergency care animal hospital nearby (AVETS) and were able to treat feline ARDS. At the time we were preparing to remove supportive care when our cat turned around. I never had any regret about preparing for such an eventuality even though our cat recovered.

We have lost cats in the past and it was always very difficult. With time the feeling of loss diminished. Time will also help you to recover. You did the right thing. I do not agree that you should run out and replace your cat with a kitten. Every cat has their own personality and it is this uniqueness you need to grieve over. There is always time for another cat and you will know when it is time.

My thoughts are with you and please remember you did the right thing.

[fullchroma]

No conflict, you did the right and kind thing. I’m so sorry. I know it hurts like hell. Take good care of yourself and trust that the pain will subside. Sweet kitty. What was her name?

[Doohickey]

I had to do the same thing about a year ago. You always have some doubt after the fact, but you know that allowing her to suffer would have been selfish. Doing the right thing is not always easy.

[Lady Jag]

This is the part of love that I hate. Though it pains your heart you did the thing, bless you.

 

I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peep.
I could see that you were crying, You found it hard to sleep.
I purred to you softly as you brushed away a tear,
“It’s me, I haven’t left you, I’m well, I’m fine, I’m here.”
I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea,
You were thinking of the many times, your hands reached down to me.
I was with you at the shops today, Your arms were getting sore.
I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.
I was with you at my grave today, You tend it with such care.
I want to reassure you, that I’m not lying there.
I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key.
I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said “it’s me.”
You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair.
I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there.
It’s possible for me, to be so near you everyday.
To say to you with certainty, “I never went away.”
You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew...
in the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.
The day is over... I smile and watch you yawning
and say “goodnight, God bless, I’ll see you in the morning.”
And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide,
I’ll rush across to greet you and we’ll stand, side by side.
I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see.
Be patient, live your journey out... then come home to be with me.

[mware]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUNJjIwlHk8

[Joann37]

I had to do the same thing a few weeks ago. The vet said that was the last act of kindness I could show my beloved cat.

[prismsinc]

Oh sweety, may the Lord give you peace at this time. Putting down your cherished feline is gut wrenching, and altogether different than putting down a dog.

Cats are companions. They force you to accomodate them, yet the love they show you is deep and true.

My cat had kidney renal failure. He was 13. I played with him lots. I gave him a bit of a “cattitude”. He was always very happy when I was around him.

When I took him to the vet to put him down, I would call his name and he would quickly respond with his “mwaa” as always. He had less than 10% kidney usage, yet his behavior was as if he refused to go anywhere, telling me he was happy.

It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. He wasn’t going anywhere, we had to let him go.

[Vicki]

I put my old cat down when her back legs were collapsing under her. She was miserable. Yes it is hard to do. Don’t beat yourself up and push the bad thoughts out of your mind.

[Slings and Arrows]

[fullchroma]

I don’t want to see another pet die.

I've done what you just did many times over the many years. So many wonderful dogs and kitties over the years: Sam, Solo, Maple, Willow, Jasper and Maple II. And, like you, I couldn't let them "go" alone. Difficult as it is, being with them at the end just seems like the right thing to do. I know you did it for her, rather than for you and that it took a lot of courage.

Experience doesn't make it any easier to lose a pet but I've found that it helps to fall in love with another pet. It's an honor to the joy your pet gave you. Take some time and then go get yourself a couple of kittens. I do believe it will help.

[since1868]

So sorry to hear this. Arnold my cat of nearly 18 years is sick it is only a matter of days before I have to do the same thing.
Its best for the animal but so hard to do.
You did the right thing.
I too am very pro-life Mike

[Grizzled Bear]

I am very sorry for your pain and your loss. I’ve been there too. Prayers up.

[Nachum]

You did the right thing. I feel sympathy for you.

[Old Professer]

I don’t know you but I don’t much like cats, I don’t have anything against cats yet the dumb things seem to like me.

You’re new here but I’ve been around, I just had to do the same thing to my best friend, Patch.

No cat was he, no, not at all — dog full and well from beginning to end; from tip of tall tail through the long sagging flick of farewell, he stood proudly by my side as he caught each ball. And he stubbornly held it like some grand prize, and release it not for the second such guise; even more stubborn he lunged at the third till finally at last, his throat he had gurged.

And he had just got started.

As 14 long years passed, he slowly at first began to resemble the man whose teeth I brushed; the days got shorter as the nights drew long, one winter and three went by and more and more beside me he’d abide; then in fits and snurls, he at last lay down and in mock of the start, he curled up and lie under the last full sun he would spy.

The next morning I gathered him up and we drove but a mile to where we said goodbye.

He stays with me now in the bread he’s not fed, the water that’s drawn for the thirst with no stead, the door that’s opened for no one to tread, pat-patting around the edges
of my half-empty bed.