Tomorrow morning I’ll be taking my cat Elvis to the vet for the last time; yes, the very last time. He will not be leaving with me.
Our first trip to the vet together was in May of 1988, when he was two months old, and I’d just gotten him. He had a bit of conjunctivitis, but otherwise he was good – uncooperative as hell (from that day to this, no one has ever taken his temperature), and he’s been a healthy, happy, and ornery kitty ever since.
He started to fail last summer – problems with his appetite, he’s been losing weight, a little arthritic, his kidneys aren’t in great shape – but the vet said, well, he’s old.
But now he’s down to skin and bones, and moving slower, clumping around noisily – and just in the last 24 hours it’s become clear that it’s time to let him go. He’s incontinent, and came down the stairs this morning one step at a time, pausing about halfway down to think about it. I got home from work and he didn’t meet me at the door – he looked up from the chair where he was curled and meowed – I went and picked him up and couldn’t believe how light he was. I called the vet and made the appt. for Weds. night – then 15 minutes later, called back and made it for first thing tomorrow morning.
He’s curled up in my lap right now, and the tears are streaming down my face.
Do any of your vets do home service? I had to have my Gus put down a year ago and a vet came to my home and did it. It cost a little more but it was worth it to me.
Oh, twickster, I’m so sorry. At least you can give him the gift of peace. I will be in your shoes very soon - my Gweniever is starting to go downhill. Not badly yet, but she’s moving a bit slower than she did when she adoopted me 17 years ago.
I just want to say that I’m sorry to hear that it’s time to let Elvis go. I got tears in my eyes thinking about how you must be feeling - I’ve been there. I still miss my little Pretzel very much (doxie dog).
You’re doing the right thing, even though it may not feel like it right now.
Ah, shit. I should know not to click on threads like this. Tears are dribbling down my face now too.
You know you’re doing the right thing twicks, even though it feels rock hard and painful to deal with. Elvis will be forever safe now, and you will have all those tremendous memories of him to keep forever.
I’m sorry, twickster. I lost my dog a few years ago in a very similar way. You’re doing the kind thing here; it’ll be hard on you, but bear in mind you’re making it less hard on him.
