What is it about cats and this board?

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
41

My condolences.

Think of the good times you’ve had together.
Know that there are those of us who care and understand.

Spend time together. You’ll be glad you did.

My friend just lost his dog to cancer. Prior to the appointment with the vet, he took a day off from school (college), packed a lunch, went to his (the dog’s) favorite park, took pictures of him, fed him steak and played with him as best as the dog could bear and sat with him all day. When the time finally came, he had special memories and could handle the loss.

Again, spend time together. You’ll be glad you did.

In the meantime, {{{{{{{both of you}}}}}}}

[Do you have a favorite animal charity? I will make a donation in his memory. (I did that for my friend mentioned above, and I am not averse to making one for you.) If so, please contact me off-board.]

42

I am so sorry

I am a animal lover, I’ve had cats’dogs,guinea pigs, goats, and I know the pain of losing your best friend. Try the steroids, it couldn’t hurt. It may buy you some time to say goodbye.

My prayers are with you.

{{{{{technochick & Sam}}}}}}}}

43

Techchick, I’m sorry to hear your bad news. I know it’s hard for you now, but you have to be strong for Sam, and see that he doesn’t suffer. I was in the same boat - I had to have our two cats put down. Trouble, the male, was 16 when he got too weak from hyperthyroidism. He went from 17 lbs. at his heaviest to about 7. Nosy, the female, and Trouble’s sister and littermate, was 17 when I took her to the vet for the last time. In both cases, the vets were compassionate and caring, and they made sure that the end was quick and painless and merciful.

It’s not easy; as much as we might try to think they’re just animals, pets are a big part of our lives, and I cried on the way home both times. But life is a circle, and death is a part of it. So be strong for Sam, and don’t prolong the inevitable because you don’t want to do this. It’s not fair to the guy that gave you so much love and affection over the years. I’m not saying go do this right now, but do it when you know that his quality of life isn’t there any more. Then grieve for him, remember him, and celebrate his life.

In a few months, consider adopting another kitten. We just got two from the humane society a week ago, and it’s a delight to watch these two little fuzzballs bouncing around the house. Ralf. Jr. is thrilled because they have decided to sleep in his bed at night. And listening to two little cat-motors purring away while sitting on your lap can make you feel like a kid again yourself.

44

Here y’go, Techie.

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{TechChick}}}}}}}}}}}}
I empathize completely. I had to have my buddy of 14 years put to sleep a few years ago. It still hurts.

He wasn’t going to get better, and only had a few months left, so I gave him up before he reached the point of pain.

Best of luck, hon.

45

techchick,
So sorry to hear about your kitty. I’m glad you can be there with him. Last week, I talked to my ex-gf, and found out that her cat (who I had lived with for two years) had a tumor and had to be put to sleep. My ex was away and couldn’t get back in time to see him again. Just thinking about it makes me cry all over again. :frowning:

46

Oh, suger, I’m sorry! People who don’t have pets don’t understand how they worm their fuzzy little way into your heart.

(((((((techchick & Sam))))))

I say go with the steroid shots to see if they help - maybe they’ll help enough so he can enjoy his last days with you and end his days in peace and your arms.

You’re making me all sniffy here at work just thinking about it.

I don’t know what I’ll do when my two fuzzy monsters’ time comes.

47

Thanks again everyone.

I honestly don’t think he will make it through the night. He doesn’t seem to be in pain and he actually looks quite peaceful. I have been laying on the bed with him and feel sorry for him. Earlier today he peed on a comforter that I placed on the floor for him, he seemed embarrased by it and jumped on the bed later. He doesn’t have much saliva to clean himself up so he smells like cat pee but that’s okay, he’s my baby and he will never be wrong in my eyes.

Well, I know this sounds selfish but if he goes peacefully at home I would actually prefer that to euthanasia in a vet’s office. If I have to lose him, I pray he can go here at home in the comfort of my bed, in the home he knows with me, my other cat and my dog near.

I will keep you updated.

Here is a small tribute to my “old man” if you care to view pictures of my baby. It’s one of the things I can do to keep me busy. http://www.cwcm.net/sam

48

I’ve just lost it. I am crying while I write this and I do not do that too often.

I clicked onto your photo page (beautiful cat, by the way) and HyperKitty just leaped onto the computer table at the same time. I think I am just going to shut off the computer and play with HyperKitty for awhile.

The best to both of you.

{{{{{{{{{{techchick68 & Sam}}}}}}}}}}

from screech-owl & HyperKitty

49

Peace to you and Sammy, techchick. Your page is a beautiful tribute to a beautiful friend.

50

awwwww… Techie… I am so sorry. I know how hard this is having gone through similar things not long ago… you probably remember.

Its not easy and its not fun. I’m sorry.

(((Techie and Sam)))

51

techchick, I’m sorry to hear about your friend.

I can’t say much that will help, but I feel for you. I hope you can talk to your dad soon.

Ugly

52

Project Description: Sam, recompile from source code. Redirect output to new media, restore experiences/save to recoverable storage, apply existing prefs, implement OnRun, redirect input to result. Bless System Folder. If(lives<9, decrement = set life(life-1)). Restart. Convert(cry, MotifAsLoss, 9lives). OnFail(GetNewLife, 1, justbecause).

53

Just an update.

Sam is resting quietly and I had the honor to hear him purr. He has never been a loud purring machine but it sure felt nice to lightly rest my head on his body and hear his motor go.

I took one of the pictures I posted on my site and created it as my desktop wallpaper. I hope to get the picture printed from a good printer – assuming it will print okay I took it with my digital camara at 72 dpi but raised it to 300 via Photoshop. I am not sure it will print well but it’s worth a try.

My thoughts are choppy and my brain is not working well at the moment. I don’t know how other people deal with this. I wonder if I am a freak because it has hit me so hard. He’s not even gone yet but I almost act like he is. I guess a lot of that is because I don’t see the same life in him I used to.

He used to make this sound a kind of human like “harumph.” He would look directly at me and do that like “pay attention mom, I am telling you something here.”

When I crash on the couch, he would curl up with me, just like humans spoon. He’d put his head on my arm and stay there for hours.

He once got in a fight with a dog, in his young years, and ended up having an abcess almost the size of a half dollar and the vet expected me to clean and drain it. I didn’t but he came through that okay.

He lost a canine tooth about 4 years ago, he has horrible kitty breath but his fur always had a great smell to it despite his gum disease. That is something I will miss, the smell of his fur.

He used to get a wild hair up his ass and get my other cat Niki riled up. The two of them would race around the house like it was the Indy 500. I never did like that but in hindsight it was kind of funny because both me and the dog would look at them like they were insane.

When he was a kitten, I would wake up in the morning with him sleeping on my pillow and my hair. When he got older, he realized the best way to wake me up was to walk all over the pillow knowing he would step on my hair. That’s painful when a 16 pound cat is stepping on your hair.

God-damnit, I will miss my “old man.”

I love you Sammy, and please, if you have to leave me, please go peacefully in your sleep tonight.

54

tech-
I have access to a Fiery here at work. If you want, you can email me a really good picture (or a few pictures) and I’ll print it(them) out and mail it(them) to you. The quality is amazing, you’ll think it is an actual picture.

I am two cats at home. The family cat, Kelly, looks exactly like your Sam. And Kelly seems to have an attitude just like Sam. The other cat, Oliver, is gray with white socks and is all mine. He’s a bastard sometimes, but I don’t know what I would do without him.

Let me know if you would like me to print and send any pics.

-N

55

:frowning:

From: Kipper, Albert, Hobbs, Stanley and the Kitten.

56

techie, I’m sorry that I didn’t post to this sooner. It took me a while to work up to it. I had to do the same thing for my kitty Sassy back in January of this year, and it still hurts sometimes. Treasure the time you have left with him, as you’re already doing, and know that he won’t be in pain anymore afterwards. I’m here for you, hon. Email me if you want to talk, or cry or rant or whatever.
You and Sam’ll be in our prayers. {{{{{{{{techie&Sam}}}}}}}}
Karyn, li’l purplecub, Heather, Wilbur SK, and Crystal <our puppy> wish your Sammy God Speed, safe journey, and lots of catnip on the other side.
<quietly leaving with tears running down her face>

57

Please clean those off.
All I have been able to think about is dried boogers on a cats nose for the last two days.

kiss to you , but remember what you had decided.

58

Techie, I meant to post to this the other day, but was too tired to say anything coherent. I’m so sorry about your baby. I know some people don’t understand, but pretty much anyone who has ever had a pet knows how important they become in our lives; Sam was much more than “just a cat.” I just want you to know that others know what you’re going through, and that you’re not weird to be so affected by it. You spent a big chunk of your life with him, and it’s totally normal to be devastated by having to face that loss. So just know that others are thinking of you and sending thoughts and prayers your way to try to help you through this. {{{{{{{{{{techchick}}}}}}}}}}

59

[[[[[techchick68]]]]] How is your sweet [[[[[Sam]]]]] kitty? I hope he had a gentle leaving in his sleep. My condolences to you.

My sister and her husband lost their beloved “B” on Tuesday. She was a beautiful, long-haired Siamese mix, who was very shy and tiny. She was four years old, and had had severe health problems all of her life. They were going to start gold shots but she never got healthy enough again to try.

My brother-in-law is very sad, and a little shocked at himself because of the depth of his feelings for this cat. I am going to e-mail him the link to this thread in hopes that all the stories of your beloved pets will help him.

Thank you all.

60

For those that don’t know (I have been less than social on the boards and non-existant in chat) I ended up having to put Sam down on Wednesday, early evening.

Wednesday morning I spoke with the vet telling him that I was still thinking about the steroid shot and the fluids treatment. He told me my options on it and gently discussed why it would be best to put him down but whatever decision I made was important to him.

After I got off the phone with him I brought Sam into my office, fed him two little licks of water and he proceeded to throw up stomach acids. It was at that moment that I knew in my heart that prolonging his body’s deterioration, even though he was resting, was not the best thing for him.

I agonized over that decision all afternoon. I flipped back and forth between my initial decision and the one I dreaded. Later called the vet, who was in an appointment at the time, and left a message with one of the ladies at the front desk. I apologized to her for crying over the phone but I would rather leave a message now then have to work up the courage to discuss it again.

I was happy that my female cat had been able to spend the afternoon sleeping with him, as they have done over the 13 years they were together. I put a blanket in the car, got on my jeans and shoes went upstairs and picked him up off my bed. I told Niki to say goodbye, all the while crying. I think she knew what was going on, she had this look on her face that’s hard to describe.

I carried Sam around the house a little and had Kodi (my dog) say goodbye to him too. Stupid dog wanted to go with me which made me even more upset.

I got to the vet’s after Sam peed all over the car again. I ended up having another hour with Sam as he was delayed with a client.

Once the vet was free he came in and we discussed it further. I have to admit, this vet has better bedside manner than most people doctors I know. Anyhow, he gave me a few more minutes with him before he gave Sam a sedative.

It was my decision to only go through that part of the procedure, the thought of watching them shave his leg, poking around for a vein and with his weaked condition may have had to try two or more legs was more than I could handle.

After he was properly sedated, that little guy did not fall asleep. I told the vet he will probably just hang his head, which he did. I watched him get spacey and his inner lids halfway close. At that time I knew it was time for me to go. I gave him my last good bye, thanked the vet and left.

I cry as I type this because my heart feels like it’s missing a very special part of my life. That’s one thing about animals, they give you unconditional love and they do enter your heart like our human friends and family.

I decided to have him cremated separately and his ashes returned to me. I will go to some of the local pottery places to see if I find the right container for his remains.

It’s been hard because there is this emptiness in the house (even with two other animals.) I even woke up Thursday morning, looked to where Sam usually was when I woke up and started crying. Not a fun way to start your day.

Slowly things are getting better but it’s still hard.

Thanks to everyone that gave me good thoughts, prayers and a cyber shoulder to lean on. It means a lot as my family is out of town.

{{{{{{{All my board friends}}}}}}