We had to put our 17yr old cat to sleep

Vanity | 01/01/2015 | Self

[Robe]

We had to put our best friend to sleep yesterday after a loosing battle with Feline Renal Failure

[SunTzuWu]

I'm sorry to hear that.
I know what you're going through.

I lost Buddy 1 month before his 17th birthday.

[Old Student]

I had to do it myself for Opposition, my feline friend of 16+ years, just a few months ago. I do feel your pain. I also believe in the Rainbow Bridge. I hope to see him, and the many other pets I’ve had over the years.

In the LDS scriptures, I find this:

19 And out of the ground I, the Lord God, formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and commanded that they should come unto Adam, to see what he would call them; and they were also living souls; for I, God, breathed into them the breath of life, and commanded that whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that should be the name thereof.

Moses 3:19

If they aren’t there, I’m not going.

Old Student

[Ben Mugged]

One last act of love.

[USMCPOP]

Sorry about that. Last year our older cat (12?) disappeared. There was a coyote in the area and a couple other cats disappeared, so ???. Longest, leanest, fastest running cat I ever had. Great hunter, especially for squirrels. Mean outside and laid back inside. A man’s cat who could charm the ladies. Miss him.

[PA Engineer]

Sorry to hear this. It was probably one of the hardest decisions you had to make.

I put down my 19 year old male tabby on October 3rd. I will never forget it, however each day gets better and there are fewer reminders.

There is definitely a hole in my daily activities.

There seems to be that one pet that stands out in life and is not easily replaced.

[EinNYC]

I am very sorry to hear of the loss of your kitty. I am sure that it had a long life of good food, loving caresses and the priceless feeling of being loved. Renal failure seems to be the major cause of people losing their cats. I've lost 3 of the 4 cats that are gone now to renal failure, all at 16 years old or above. It is just terrible to watch your little friend go that way. The last kindness I could give them was a release from their pain which would never be able to be cured. They were probably a day or even hours from leaving me on their own, but I helped them to slip over the Rainbow Bridge a bit easier via my vet. Your baby is now out of pain. You will grieve. There will always be an empty spot in your heart for this one.

I have found that the only way for me to get over losing a cat is to (eventually) rescue another kitten. In this way, I now channel my energies in nurturing another precious life instead of simply mourning what I lost. And, by adopting another kitten, I honor the memory of my cat: "You were such a wonderful ambassador for your kind, I cannot be without another like you."

[mass55th]

It doesn’t matter how old they live to, we still miss them when they are gone. Sorry to hear of your loss.

[Crossfeed]

Robe,
Old fighter pilots aren’t very crusty at the loss
of a loved pet.
How do I know?........Been there.
As others have said, be kind to yourself and remember
the affection given and taken all those years.

[Vendome]

17?

Didn’t know Cats lived that long.

Sorry for your loss..

[bigredkitty1]

You have my deepest condolences. It’s been almost 5 years since I lost my sweet ginger. He battled diabetes and feline Chronic Renal Failure (CRF) for almost 7 years before he died. Neither contributed to his passing. Cancer took him.

You will get through this. I promise you will.

[Ready4Freddy]

So sorry for your loss, Robe.

I’ve had to put down numerous cats at about that age, it never gets easier. Hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.

[al baby]

Sorry for you loss most cats are lots better than peoples

[tennmountainman]

I have 3 cats. What a long life your cat lived. 17 years! A testament to the
love and care that was given.

[dayglored]

What a beautiful cat, and great companion as you describe. My orange kitteh and best friend is now almost 17, and so far he's hanging in there though showing signs of age. Every one of God's creatures passes some day, and I've endured the loss of many great animal friends over my 63 years. Someday I'll surely join them as well.

I share your sorrow and hope that by sharing, your pain is lessened, and I echo Slings' prayer that you and Buddy are reunited at the Rainbow Bridge.

Best FRegards and God Bless.

[Lorianne]

Sorry for your loss.
You did good by your best friend.

[Slings and Arrows]

Amen.

[Ingtar]

You have my sympathy. We have lost three around that age over the last three years. Due to fostering others, we are back up to five again. It’s hard when you foster them as kittens and the shelter decides to put them down not to intercede. The smallest one, she owns me.

[Exit148]

One of our dear calicoes was put to sleep 2 months before her 22. She was not ill-— just age. Others have had to be put down because of renal failure, or other reasons at younger ages. But —— as much as I missed those lovely cats, nothing was quite like losing a wonderful tabby to a pack of dogs. We live in a suburb, and all dogs are on leashes, but a pack was formed and we were aware of them, so we kept all our cats inside. Somehow Teddy got out. How I wish I had had him well into old age.

We do love our sweet pets, don’t we. It hurts no matter how they leave us. They are special treasures. Our memories of them give us comfort.

[CAluvdubya]

So sorry to hear your baby is gone. Prayers for your family. It’s so hard to have to make that decision.

[miss marmelstein]

Ah, bless you. This is so tough. Been there many times.