Posted on 07/29/2012 3:04:52 PM PDT by POWERSBOOTHEFAN
Our cat Leopold had to be put to sleep. He had a severe bladder problem that couldn't be taken care of. It's a major problem for male cats.
Does anyone here have any ideas on how to cope with such a loss? I'm so heartbroken.
This was sent to us once and we pass it on to you.... it helped alot.....
If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this — the last battle — can’t be won.
You will be sad I understand,
But don’t let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.
We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn’t want me to suffer so.
When the time comes,
please, let me go.
Take me where, to my needs they’ll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don’t grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;
We’ve been so close — we two — these years,
Don’t let your heart hold any tears.
Someone once told me that she believes that the purpose of all life on Earth is to learn the meaning of love, then teach it to another. If we are fortunate enough to accomplish that in one lifetime, then we are free to move on. From what I’ve read in your comments, I would say that your feline friend attained his goal, and for that you are blessed.
I had to put my kitty, Kelsey, down at about 4 years. It broke my heart but I had her brother to look after. I adopted another little girl and all is well. Another animal will help ease the pain. I’m so sorry for your loss.
I agree, I lost a dog last year that had been with me for fifteen years and I didn’t know a person could grieve so much for an animal. I got another dog immediately and she seemed to sense that I needed comforting. She was a big blessing to me and has helped me get over the pain. I still miss my dog but the new one helped so much and I love her too.
Sorrow! Soft kitty, warm kitty, little ball of fur.......
I’m so so sorry for your loss and truly know what you are going through....my cat died in 2005....it was beyond horrible and my heart was broken. Wasn’t sure I would survive the pain...however, within days went to the local shelter and adopted two 6-month old kitties. That searing pain was replaced with love at first sight. At that moment in time they needed me as much as I needed them - don’t know what motivated me to go that day, but thankfully I did.
Take care.
I am so sorry.
My folks sent flowers when my special guy died.
Over 30 years and I still miss him.
Don’t wait too long to get another, if you can. I waited over 20 to get another and now have ended up with three.
They just want to be loved.
We have a friend who fosters kittens, not dogs. The foster organization pays for food and medical bills while they get on their feet and become old enough to adopt. The place keeps our friend busy all the time. Right now, she’s taking care of 7 (now, down to 2 left) kittens that were going to be euthanized. Can you imagine?
With the economy so bad, people can’t care for their pets, especially the older or younger ones. Just like with people.
So, when you can think about it again, consider helping someone else.....
Your special pet will always be yours. Always.
Holy cow....you aren’t the only one crying.
Holy cow....you aren’t the only one crying.
We have a cat, we call her Sandy, and is 14 years old now. We got her for our daughter when she was 13, but, she’s moved on and out now, forming her own family and a career, and now, she’s got 2 other cats and a dog. Sandy stayed with us, and she’s part of “us”.
Now, Sandy developed cancer in her stomach, and the veterinarians (and my daughter, who’s also now a veterinarian), told us that she would have about 3 to 6 months left to live. But, we could prolong her life, and time with us, with chemotherapy and a few other medicines to allow her to live in comfort while getting treatments. We pondered putting her to sleep, but, couldn’t think of being without her. The vets told us that, if we opted for the chemo, she’d live for around 5 mos to perhaps another year. We went for the treatments, and, while they’re not inexpensive, we have no regrets. So, here, more than $2000 later, she’s still with us, some six months after starting treatments, but, we know that, the inevitable end will come, and we see and hear her symptoms almost every day, but, she still seems “comfortable” and sometimes, like her old self. She’ll be gone, perhaps in another few months, but, we try to stay in denial. However, once we begin to notice that she’s very uncomfortable, we’ll have to make the decision to let her go, as much as it’s going to pain us to do.
But, Sandy, and the 2 other cats we have, are and will be a part of us. We already know how hard it is to lose a pet, since we lost Fluffy, our dog back in 2004. We still have his pictures with us, since, he was/is part of “us”, just like Sandy and Dusty and Rocky are.
We hug Sandy every chance we get, and bring her to bed as often as she’ll allow us to do.
I feel your pain. When I lost my dog the heartache was unbelievable.
Advice #1: Feel it. Don’t suppress it. If that means being alone, so be it. If that means it goes on for days, so be it. It’s healthy, and an appropriate inner memorial.
Advice #2: I recently read that emotional heartache has been scanned (MRI, I think), as activating actual pain neurons, indicating a physical componant to emotional pain. So as weird as this may sound, taking some pain meds, such as aspirin, may help diminish the intensity if it gets too bad.
Advice #3: As with all grief management, remember to eat, go for walks (get outside), and get plenty of sleep (try melatonin if you can’t feel sleepy).
Advice #4: Pray.
This won’t help right away. But take comfort that you did what was best for him even though it caused you great suffering. That was the most loving thing you could do for him. I am very sorry for your loss.
Try to remind yourself of the good times, know he would want you happy, that he had the best possible life with you, and that you have a created a happy life.
The intention wasn’t to make it be about us or our kitty but when started it kept going until it was becoming impossible to type on the tablet.
She was the last link to a house that had been in the family since the early 1900’s. A house where we raised three great kids and made our home until it became too much for us.
She was our oldest son’s wife’s kitty but when they started to have children she had to go so we took her.
As I said even though I am more of a dog person and really pretty much a hard butt, it was very traumatic. She was a connection to past treasures.
Mrs p6 is looking at me wondering why I’m wiping my eyes and I dang well am not going to let her know!
The hurt will soften but the love will always leave a hole inside somewhere. Thank God for the gift of the years. Be proud that you did the right thing. There is a kitten or cat who needs a new home at a nearby shelter. Give one of the a home right away - not to replace your kitty, but to have its own chance at a good and happy life. For what it’s worth: I believe Heaven is chuck full of animals!
You can’t just swap them out like a tire change, have you ever lost a beloved pet unexpectedly?
You didn’t read everything, the cat was only 4.
My sympathies to you Friend. I have had to do the same many times over the years with many a pet cat and dog. When the time comes for my boy, my male cat Scooter who is my best bud, my pride and joy(and diabetic) I know it’ll just kill me. But know that “Leopold’’ is no longer suffering and is now with St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals. Grieve for him but not too long, “Leopold’’ in his own way wouldn’t want you do. If he could, bless his little feline heart, he would want you to go to a shelter and bring home one of his friends who needs a good home.
Earlier, we lost Sweetie. And, she was a sweetie.
She was a talker and did everything you wanted her to do. Obeyed every thing.
Suddenly, she began to lose weight. The vet thought she had leukemia. But, her siblings showed no symptoms and still don't. She lost 12 ounces in 5 days.
She couldn't eat, etc. We took her to the vet and he put her down. A most difficult decision for us.
She was gone before he could give her the second shot. The pain-killer stopped her heart.
I know she knew she was dying and she indicated to us that she accepted it.
Talk about hard. It has been months, but I have tears writing this.
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