# Taking in rescue cats can be heartbreaking **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 16, 2017, 8:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-in-rescue-cats-can-be-heartbreaking/786730 "2017-05-16T08:44:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 8:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-in-rescue-cats-can-be-heartbreaking/786730/1 "2017-05-16T08:44:40Z")
Tesla was weak when we took him from the shelter, along with his friend Mr. Puma Man(aka Pooh Bear). He had been found stuck in a car engine-they didn’t know how long he had been stuck in there when he was discovered, skinny as a rail and matted so badly he had to be shaved on both sides of his body. He could barely move, and he was almost totally deaf, but we fed him and got his weight up a bit. The mere act of walking across the room tired him out, but always made an effort to find a lap to curl up on, and he loved his scritches. This afternoon, after a day of just sipping water and showing no interest in food, we rushed him to the animal emergency hospital. They didn’t find any major problems, but while they re-hydrating him, about an hour and a half ago, his heart just stopped. They say that shared joy is multiplied, and shared pain is lessened…but this just hurts right now. ---
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-in-rescue-cats-can-be-heartbreaking/786730/2 "2017-05-16T08:46:27Z")
You gave him as good a home as you could. Thank you for doing this. ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-in-rescue-cats-can-be-heartbreaking/786730/3 "2017-05-16T10:13:05Z")
He died surrounded by love. That’s important. You are good and kind. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-in-rescue-cats-can-be-heartbreaking/786730/4 "2017-05-16T11:00:41Z")
I’m so sorry. He had warmth, love, and kindness in his life and that’s a wonderful thing. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-in-rescue-cats-can-be-heartbreaking/786730/5 "2017-05-16T14:04:37Z")
You did good. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-in-rescue-cats-can-be-heartbreaking/786730/6 "2017-05-16T14:11:40Z")
Sorry to hear that; very kind of you to care for suffering animals. ---
**Author:** ![Crane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crane/32/3495_2.png) [@Crane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crane)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-in-rescue-cats-can-be-heartbreaking/786730/7 "2017-05-16T14:32:17Z")
You gave him a home. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-in-rescue-cats-can-be-heartbreaking/786730/8 "2017-05-16T14:51:30Z")
He knew love and peace, thanks to you. Thank you, Czarcasm. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-in-rescue-cats-can-be-heartbreaking/786730/9 "2017-05-16T14:52:31Z")
You gave him a safe haven in which to spend his final days, and that is no small thing. We should all be so fortunate. ---
**Author:** ![peedin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peedin/32/14095_2.png) [@peedin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peedin)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-in-rescue-cats-can-be-heartbreaking/786730/10 "2017-05-16T15:28:29Z")
Of course it hurts. I’m very sorry but rest assured that he knew love and that’s all that matters. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-in-rescue-cats-can-be-heartbreaking/786730/11 "2017-05-16T17:08:22Z")
Rescue is holy work. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-in-rescue-cats-can-be-heartbreaking/786730/12 "2017-05-16T17:15:57Z")
Pooh Bear misses his bro. He kept waiting for me to put the second bowl of food down before he would touch his breakfast this morning. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-in-rescue-cats-can-be-heartbreaking/786730/13 "2017-05-16T21:02:45Z")
Is someone chopping onions in here or what?☹ I’m so sorry for your loss, but as others have told _me_, he died while being loved and taken care of. That’ll do, **Czarcasm** , that’ll do. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-in-rescue-cats-can-be-heartbreaking/786730/14 "2017-05-16T21:14:05Z")
I’m so sorry. Thank you for taking him in and showing him love and kindness. {{{hugs}}} ---
**Author:** ![janis\_and\_c0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janis_and_c0/32/21_2.png) [@janis\_and\_c0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janis_and_c0)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-in-rescue-cats-can-be-heartbreaking/786730/15 "2017-05-16T23:36:31Z")
I’m so sorry, **Czarcasm** , _HUGS_ Sometimes all you can do is the best you can do. ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2017, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-in-rescue-cats-can-be-heartbreaking/786730/16 "2017-05-17T00:12:37Z")
Rescue work isn’t for wimps. Cat’s, dogs, horses… You’re going to get some experiences most folks are spared. God bless, for sticking yourself out there and exposing your heart. ---
**Author:** ![stillownedbysetters](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/41988e/32.png) [@stillownedbysetters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stillownedbysetters)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2017, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-in-rescue-cats-can-be-heartbreaking/786730/17 "2017-05-17T00:51:37Z")
In many years of rescuing one truth has stood out. Animals know and appreciate the efforts you make on their behalf, although they perhaps are too damaged by the time you receive them to properly communicate that appreciation. You gave Tesla a gift beyond price. And he knew it. Thank you for what you did for him. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2017, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-in-rescue-cats-can-be-heartbreaking/786730/18 "2017-05-17T00:55:04Z")
Thank you. Everyone else has said all the stuff that needs to be said. ---
**Author:** ![Helena330](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helena330/32/531_2.png) [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2017, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-in-rescue-cats-can-be-heartbreaking/786730/19 "2017-05-17T02:42:35Z")
I’m so glad Tesla was cared for and knew he was loved. But damn, there’s so much sadness in rescue. I’m so sorry. ☹ I hope Pooh Bear will be ok and finds a good home. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2017, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-in-rescue-cats-can-be-heartbreaking/786730/20 "2017-05-17T14:56:04Z")
Pooh Bear keeps dashing from room to room, hoping to catch Tesla hiding somewhere I guess. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-in-rescue-cats-can-be-heartbreaking/786730.md?page=2)