Cristi, I’m so sorry about your cat. {{{Cristi}}}
And Homer, I know how you feel. I had to put my Cairn terrier to sleep when I was a freshman in college. She had been going blind and deaf for a long time, but the final thing was her having a stroke (we think), and she didn’t recognize where things were. I grew up with her, so I know how you feel. You and Brittany will be in my thoughts.
I’m really sorry to hear this, and wish I could find the right words to take away a little of the pain that you and your family must feel.
All I can tell you is that I know you made your pet’s life rich and loving in the all too brief time since Sovtek adopted you. Though it might be painful to contemplate at this moment, nothing can take away the love and affection between your family and your beloved pet.
I can tell you I’ll cry when my cat’s time comes. I’m probably oversensitive, but I’m tearing up just thinking about it. 
Persephone, I’m so sorry for you! And especially your children. Glad you’re getting a new kitten, though. That can help a lot, and I guess I could throw in some horses**t about teaching the kids about life and death and such. But you sound like a really great mom, so I guess you’ve already done that.
Bummer. I’m really sorry, Perseph.
Persephone, I’m so sorry to here about Sovtek.
I hope Tele will help everyone feel better.
My cat, Oreo, was accidently let out while my husband and I were out of town for the Memorial weekend. We haven’t seen him since and we’re both devestated. Our new kitten, Taz, tries to make us feel better but it just isn’t the same.
Again, I’m so sorry for your loss.
{{{Persephone}}}
Chrisbar
Sorry to hear about your loss. It seems strange that I should read this post, when just this morning I was sniffling over a little orange kitten at the hospital that looked just like my sweet baby Sunshine, who died last year. Losing a beloved pet is really hard.
Hi Cristi-
I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my two older cats aobout 6 months apart both were 18, both indoor cats. What made this even worse was that I lost my mom on May 2 of that year, Tasha May 23rd, Gingii in November, and my brother Rob on May 27. That was a totally crummy year.
I still have Kobii, my baby. She is 10.
I still cry when I talk about Gingii-I know you shouldn’t have favorites, but she was a totally love bug cat. I don’t know what I would have done if I had not had her to hold during the bad times during my mom’s illness and death.
So, all my prayers and hugs are coming your way, and for your family.
GOOD IDEA to keep your new kitty indoors. My vet says that indoor cats live (in general) twice as long as an outdoor cat. Makes sense, so none of mine ever go (went) out and live to be ripe old age.
Take care, and give your little girl a hug and a kiss from me and Kobii.
Scotti
Me and my babies all offer our condolences. It is so hard losing a beloved pet, I think more so when it’s an unexpected occurrence.
Much better for the new kitty to be an indoor cat. You can always take him outside on a harness and leash, or build an enclosed run for him, if you have the space.
I’ll be thinking about you and Sovtek when my babies and I have Cuddle Time tonight.
Condolences here from the Firefly family, including our sole feline, the Rimsky-monster.
Cristy and Homer, I feel for what both of you are going through. My cat, Fuzzball (who, btw, was Queen of the Universe - I’ll be damned if I know who’s running the show now), who I’d had since 1982, got to the point this February where she had to be put down. She went blind, then was losing her hearing, during her last months; I’m not sure if that was in addition to, or because of, the kidney failure that would have soon killed her.
People on this board were very supportive, which I greatly appreciated. So Homer, my prayers for you as you face the tough decisions ahead. I know it’s hard to decide when it’s time to say goodbye to your four-legged friend; with Fuzzer, I postponed the date, a week at a time, for several weeks before I realized that life was getting too hard for her.
Cristy, hugs for you, your kids, and your hubby. Sounds like Sovtek was a really cool cat; I know you and yours will miss him. And keep the TeleCATster indoors is my advice; that’s how Fuzzer lived as long as she did.
Sympathy to all who have lost pets, or have pets nearing the end of life. Our aging German shepard died yesterday. A week ago she seemed to be fine, running around the yard; Friday afternoon we brought her home to die when the vet said nothing could be done for her (primary problem: a large and inoperable tumor in her stomach). We did the best we could, but it was a difficult weekend to say the least. Tonight we will bury her out back, near the pine trees.
Only a year ago we lost our cat of fourteen years to cancer too. Nothing lives forever, but that doesn’t make it any easier to say goodbye.
[sorrow]
How on earth does a cat come by anti-freeze?
There are certain chemicals used as disinfectants such as Jeyes fluid which are terribly dangerous to all cats (including the big ones) but fine with dogs and other animals.
Sorry to read about your loss but every cat is differant and your next one will have its own ways.
Might I suggest, since this new one will be an indoor cat, that you get at least one more - as feline company, perhaps rehome an older one, believe me, it will be worth it.
Persephone, you have my sympathy. it’s hard to part with a pet you love. A few years ago I had to have my companion of 14 years euthanized. It hurt like hell, but it was kinder for him. I still miss Jason.
Persephone:
I can sympathize . . .
Freshman year of high school (boarding school) on the last day of spring vacation (I lived 500 miles from home when I was at school) my german shepherd died. 7 years old. The Noble Dog.
I went back to school the next day and my roommate is all “Well, it’s spring. Things will get better.” Such uninspired words were never spoken again. Thank God. Things didn’t get better until freshman year of college, but that’s another story.
My family, sans moi, got a new german shepherd six weeks later. I won’t go into the sadness. At least they don’t look alike (much). Although I did call her Greta (Old dog’s name) for a while.
Anyway . . . just thought you might like to know I share in your pain, though the situation isn’t identical.
I’m sorry to hear about your family’s loss.
I feel I should say something else, but everyone else before me has said it better. Damn it’s hard being socially awkward.
Hugs to you, kids and Hubby. Hope your new cat is just as nice.
Thanks a lot, you guys! I appreciate your kind words very, very much. And no, I do not live next door to Wally. I had honestly thought about naming this thread “I Swear, He Was Nowhere Near The Ceiling Fan,” but I changed my mind at the last minute.
Chief: You are sooooo bad! LOL!!
Our cat was an outdoor cat, and we live in a city. Cars park in the street. Some of those cars leak anti-freeze. The cat either licked it from the ground or a puddle (we have had some rain here lately), or walked through some & got it on his paws, then licked his paws. I was certainly not surprised when I heard that that is what the doctor suspected.
We’re going to get the Telecatster tomorrow. I’m looking forward to it. My daughter is dealing with it okay. She’s only three, so she doesn’t really understand death, but she seems to understand that Sovtek is gone for good. She’s been talking about it quite a bit today. She’s the one that found him, and she saw what he was going through. My opinion? She’s talking herself in to understanding it, and that’s okay. I think a new kitten will be a great help. She’s really a cat person. Oh boy, does she ever love kitties!
Hugs to all. Group hugs. Moments of silence.
Its rough stuff. I am the animal person of my house. I would skip school routinely to take care of strays. When one of my babies is hurt I get crushed. (The time when little Willyum jumped out of a tree and landed on his face was interesting. When I finally showed up at school I was still too dazed to remember basic things like washing the blood off my face. One of the few times the gangsters at Flint Central have ever been scared of a little white girl.)
Most traumatic was putting Gordy down. He was 14, I was 16. I picked him out at the breeders. And I took him to the vet in my first car when he was throwing up bile. And I got to choose whether or not to put him down, all by myself. My parents were at work and not to be bothered by the dog. Three years ago in September and I still weep buckets. The worst was when I realised that my dear love had never met my dog. I didn’t meet him until ten days after.
The shock fades, and life goes happily on. Just with a spot full of love but no face.
More hugs.
Ah hell, Persephone, I’m sorry that happened. It’s especially hard to tell the kids, who feel a loss so purely. I hope the new kitten brings a joy to your household.
{{{{{Sweet Persephone}}}}}
From me, and my felines; Mojo, Hank & Heehoo.