As I held his noble head and scratched his battle-scarred ears, the vet put my once mighty warrior to sleep.
He used to be king of the neighborhood, taking on all comers and the bane of birds and rodents everywhere.
In recent years he has slowed down a lot, preferring a sunbeam to a fight, but he was always my little toughie.
I didn’t want to do it, kept thinking he’d get better, but the yowling from the basement and the obvious discomfort told o lies. You weren’t happy anymore. The lap that used to be yours alone was now taken up with a baby. The pillow you used to sleep beside was now used for nursing the new baby.
You let us know your unhappiness by peeing on our clothes adn I tried to overlook it, when it was dirty laundry. But when you began getting the clean clothes (including baby clothes) and started yearning to go back outside I knew it was time.
I tried to find you a new family, but at fourteen years old you were set in your ways. I held on, hoping you’d come around, but you started not grooming yourself, sleeping constantly and generally being miserable. You walked the halls all night, and threw up. The vet tested you for everything that would be simple to treat. Everything was negative.
So today I kissed your little nose, and told you it would be okay, even though I knew it wouldn’t. I’m so sorry I lied. One last meow, not quite the trumpeting war cry of yesterday and you were gone.
poysyn—sometimes things just happen this way. I’m sure you were the best mom you could be. {{{{Huggie}}}}(and I don’t mean diapers)
It hurts right now. It will hurt for a long, long time. But eventually…after what seems like forever, the pain will fade and you’ll only remember the good times you had with your kitty.
Besides…he was 14 and that’s a good age,a ripe old age for a cat. It sounds as though he lived a full, happy life most of the time. Dwell on that…not on the bad stuff. The good stuff’s what’ll get ya through it.{{{Huggies}}}
IDBB
Having recently let a cat pass to the “other world” here at home and having taken my Sam in for euthanasia, neither decision is easier than the other.
I am dealing with a cat who is sick and while he’s still somewhat healthy, I gather, come July, I will have to take him in to end his life. It hurts like hell and I know this as I have dealt with it before, you are not alone.
I am sorry you had to do that but your little guy is up there waiting for you…Someone on the board passed this along to me when I was dealing with Sam back in 2000, I hope it helps you heal:
It has music on it so if you aren’t up for a sappy wav file that loops, turn off your volumn before you go. But it might help to make your heart feel better or you might cry which is healing.
As one that has recently lost a trusted friend, one of my babies, I understand what you are going through.
Peace to your kitty. There’s an old saying that when we arrive in heaven, all the pets we shared our lives with that have gone to the Happy Hunting Grounds will run up and welcome us – I sure hope that’s true.
Last year, we had to put our 10-yr old Doberman down - he was 140 pounds and I will never forget the struggle to get him in the back of our SUV, or the look in his eyes when we said good-bye. His name was Lord Vader, and he will be in our hearts forever.
Build a shrine with a picture. It helps in the healing process.
I’m so sorry for your loss. {{{{huggles}}}} We recently lost our 15 year old W.C. the Cat and we’re still in mourning … time is easing the pain somewhat and I pray yours eases soon.
Thank you so much. For the first time since it happened I don’t think I am going to lose it.
I didn’t think it would be this hard.
Thank you everyone who has posted such nice messages of support. I can’t thank each of you personally, because if I think about it too long I start to cry again.
Poysyn, you brought tears to my eyes reading your story. I feel for you, I really do. I couldn’t imagine the hurt you must be going through. I’m sure you were a wonderful mom to your cat. One of these days, happy thoughts will break through again.
wipes tears
I’m so sorry. I can only imagine how heartbroken you must be, Poysyn. I think facing the decision to euthanize an adored pet is one of the hardest decisions a pet owner ever has to make. It’s never easy to make such a decision but you were there with him 'til the end and showed your love when it mattered the most by making a compassionate and humane decision to help your furry friend die in a gentle and pain free way. How sad it is when they die when they’re such a big part of our lives. Take care, Poysyn.
