My God, Jolly Roger, I didn’t mean for you to take it that way. We wouldn’t have bee surprised if Grace’s time had come at any point in the past 6 years; that she lived to such an ongodly age was simply the luck of the draw. When it’s time to go, it’s time to go.
This morning when I got back from PT Stache was meowing for food. After I fed her and the others she barfed all over the floor. Then I saw that she had pooped a bit in the hallway. I guess Mrs J is right. Its time to let her go. She can’t be happy or feeling well.
Alessan, don’t worry. I just meant that I wish Stache could live the comfortably for a few more years. Sunday is going to be hard for us.
Well, its easier to bring up UNICEF and all that in a thread that has nothing to do with that subject than it is to, you know, go out and do something about children dying of poverty, I guess.
Cats are pretty infamous for hiding visible signs of suffering as much as possible, from all I’ve heard and read.
My ferrets lived anywhere from 5 to almost 9 years, but each died of something in the end or had to be put to sleep. Don’t use another measuring stick to judge the length of your cat’s life other than her own health or suffering.
Hey, your kitty poops in the hallway, some Dopers like to poop randomly in threads. . .
Whatever.:rolleyes:
You guys are in my thoughts!
ETA: the rolleyes is for the thread-shitter, not for you!
Jolly Roger, I can share your pain. I’ve had to have dogs put to sleep, and I know it’s not an easy decision to make, but believe me, our pets know when it is time. Please know you are doing your cat a favor by releasing it from a body which no longer works and is painful for the cat to sustain. I think all animal lovers can feel your bond. Do try to be there for Stache’s final moments, if you can. Your vet will certainly allow you to be there and to give you a few private moments to say goodbye. Your cat will certainly be calmer with you holding her and talking to her, and her final moments will be painless. It’s okay to mourn her, but don’t feel as if you made the wrong decision or made it prematurely. It’s the kind thing to do for her.
(NOT moderating and NOT warning, because that’s already been done twice and if that doesn’t work nothing will).
You also need to remember that MPMIMS topics aren’t necessarily mundane and pointless to the people posting them. Members have started MPMIMS threads about devastating diseases afflicting themselves and their loved ones as well as about human tragedies in the news, because this type of OP often doesn’t fit into the other forums.
As to your objective calculus of the comparative magnitude of tragedy, IMHO it’s largely irrelevant. The loss of one child, or even a pet, is intensely personal and the parent or owner has every right to grieve, regardless of what happens elsewhere.
I’m sorry about your cat. Just remember the good years and that she will be out of pain. I lost a dog during an operation and it was hard.
((Stache))
I’m having a hard time now. Stache was lying in a window sill looking at the birds outside this morning at sunrise. Knowing what happens tomorrow makes me feel sad. But that might be because I learned that an old and good friend of mine died last night and I’ve been, well, depressed about it.
Hugs and good thoughts, Jolly Roger!
At least Stache got to enjoy one more sunrise, and one more morning of looking at the birds.
You will always miss her, I’m sure. But time will fade the pain. Hang in there, the hardest part is almost over!
Jolly Roger - Recently I had to make the decision to put down my elderly doberman who was suffering from congestive heart failure. I’d done everything I could for her, but she was no longer happy. Like your wife said, she (Grace, not your wife) made the decision, not me. When it was done, there was a since of loss, certainly, but also a since of relief. Relief that she wasn’t suffering, not relief that I’d no longer have to cook for her twice a day to keep her eating, wouldn’t have to deal with her occasional incontinence. I did the best I could for Grace, and you’ve done the best you could for Stache. That’s all anyone can do.
StG
My thoughts are with you, your wife, and Stache today, Jolly Roger.
Thanks everyone. Its done. 'Stache was put down around 1230 local time. We stayed with her until the end. I won’t lie, it was very hard to do for me. I held her little head in my hand until her heart stopped beating. The wife too.
I’m not ahsamed to admit I broke down and cried as I said goodbye to Stache and that after she was gone I couldn’t bring myself to look at her lifeless body. Stache is to cremated and we’ll find her a place of honor in here. I’m going to miss her. 15 years we’ve had that cat. I’ll miss her insisting on being fed when I come home from PT sore, sweaty and tired…the way she would sleep in my chair…the times she would leap in my lap and curl up no matter what I was doing. I know my wife will miss too. But we’re both happy she isn’t suffering anymore.
Hell, I’m damn-near crying.
Sending supporting thoughts your way.
I’m gonna go pet my dog…
Yeah, when I got home I started petting the 2nd oldest (now oldest) Banshee. She’s about 13 or so. I wonder how she’ll be…she was a teeny kitten when we got her and she and Stache were “buds”. I wonder if she’ll start looking for her tonight.
It was hard to do. I spent all night trying to think of a reason to not euthanize Stache. But it would be cruel to keep her alive if she was miserable. Still, I think its strange how we’ll put an animal down to alleviate its suffering, but its illegal to do so for a human being that is in great pain and misery with no hope of recovery. Thats for another thread, I guess. I do hope that wherever kitties go when they die, its a happy place and that Stache is there having fun and being at peace. And if it exists, this kitty heaven, I hope she thinks kindly of us. Because I miss her and somehow my home doesn’t feel as full anymore.
'Scuse me. I seem to have something in my eye. Damned allergies.
I’m glad it’s over for all of you, Jolly Roger. Don’t ever doubt that you and your wife made the right decision for Stache. Thank you for having the compassion to take that big step for her.
I’m going to go love up my furbabies now.
I just wish Stache had more time. Seeing her go away hurt. I hope that this is what she wanted…to be free of her illness and fear. I cannot explain how it feels to be home and not see Stache, and how it is to know I’ll never see her here again. Or how it was at the same time comforting to be with her as she died and awful. I loved that cat, and we have had 15 years of each other. Four moves overseas and back. This is a hurt that will heal, but the scars might take some time to mend.
Jolly Roger, Just focus on the good life Stauche had with you. That was one lucky kitty! 
I think that Stache knew the end was coming. My wife (whom Stache was closest too) had already said that Stache had “told” her it was time.
Last night before I went to bed I found her in a windowsill, looking outside. When I came near her Stache looked at me as if to say “I just want to feel the breeze one last time. Its okay.”.
She wouldn’t eat this morning. As if to say, I won’t need food where I’m going. Stache didn’t fight or cry or anything. She was acting as if she knew what was happening as the vet injected her. She fell asleep so fast…I could feel her pulse slow down as I held her and finally stop. I just hope that her final moments were of the good times we had. The Xmas goose she ate while weren’t looking…the time she got in the dryer and I thought she was lost…the night she scratched up my favorite chair…the days when she would chase Banshee around the house for hours.
I just can’t believe she’s gone. I guess I have to, since she is, but still, Stache was OUR cat. I will miss her. I just hope that she forgives us.