Thread: Pretty tough day today.

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A while back I had to have my one cat Scooter put to sleep. She was about 16 years old, and got really sick. Today I had to make the same **** decision for my other cat Sniffy. Sniff was about 17, and had been in great health right up until a couple days ago. I started noticing her sleeping more and generally staying all by herself. Last night she jumped up on the couch arm next to me and I noticed she was breathing very rapidly and shallow. I kind of knew that the day I had been dreading might be here.

I took her to the cat hospital today and they did a lot of tests and took some xrays.................bottom line, she had heart problems. They gave me the options, one was to send her to a specialist who would do more tests and put her on medicine to try to get the fluid from her lungs, and to find out what was wrong with her heart. The other option was to put her to sleep. The Doctor said the prognosis was not good and that at most we might buy her a few days or maybe three weeks. He said he might even come in to work tomorrow and find she had died overnight. She had just gotten old.

Toughest decision I have had to make since doing that for Scooter, but I couldn't stand to see her suffer. She was like a kitten right up to the end, and about the most gentle cat you could imagine. After giving it a lot of thought I told him we had to do what was best for her, and that was what we did.

Some people probably can't understand how a pet can become so very important to someone, but I am really broken up over this. Pet lovers like me will know exactly how I am feeling right now..................rotten. I also hate myself for being such a coward and not staying there with her to the end, but I just could never stand to see that happen. I prefer to remember her as that kitten we adopted right after Hurricane Andrew. She was one of the pets rescued from the storm, and when I heard they had lots of animals to adopt we went over and picked her out. I think it was Dan who went with me, because Don and I picked out Scooter from a shelter a year later.

So I'm kinda bummed right now, and know it is just starting to sink in. If you are a pet lover like we are, give your loyal friends a big hug tonight and maybe a little treat. You never know when their time might come. My only solace right now is that she and Scooter might be playing together again.

Sorry to bring this subject up, but I have a lot of good friends on here and I needed to talk about it. Here are some pictures of Sniffy and Scooter in happier times. Sniff is the small cat and Scooter was our big girl. Thanks for listening.

Don

We've had to do those things over the years with our dogs and cats. I don't think death at an old age is a tragedy (whether it's pets or people). I always deal with it by assuring myself they had a "good run" with a playmate, plenty of chow, toys, treats and affection. It also helps to know that the average life expectancy of a cat, living outdoors is about two years!

We have a male cat "Stickers" that is 17. That's 72 in people years. He's doing alright, but when he starts to deteriorate, we'll have him checked out, and if necessary, will help him along quickly, so he doesn't suffer.....just like we did for "Muffin", "Studie", and Zeke". After that, our other cat "Pogo" will get a new playmate in the form of a young kitten. That is also very theraputic for people. :-) Maybe that would help you, too.

I am so sorry for your loss and i totally understand. Watched my 11 year old cat die of feline aids a few years ago. I think of him often.

I know how you feel Don, last year had to put down my 16 yo Lab, this year her sister will going soon she's 14 (eye sight, hearing and right rear knee ). Vet says she not in alot of pain. She doesn't have to much trouble going down the stair to go outside but I put a ramp in for her.
BradC

So sorry to hear about all of your loses too. It is something every pet owner faces at some point, but we keep thinking it is a long way off. Time flies though.

I'm done owning pets personally. Dan has 3 cats that live with us, and I am very close to each of them. Lucky is the youngest (2) and even though he is technically Dans cat he and I are good buddies. As soon as he sees me get out the quilt for a couch nap he curls up with me and takes one too.

Don and his GF have two cats, and Don thought he might have to make the same hard decision this week on one of them. She is older too, but they were able to correct her problem and she is doing fine now.

Then there are the 4 or 5 strays we feed at the shop................

Don

Don,
I'm really sorry to hear this, I remember the last time you went threw this. The sad thing is we really can't do anything, just know we are thinking about you.
Ken

Thanks Ken. I'm a little better this time than with Scooter, not because I loved her more, but it was just the first time I had to go through this. I just really had no choice, it was killing me to see her probably suffering. I'll shed a few tears and remember all the funny things both of them did, and how loyal they were to me for 17 years.

Life is tough sometimes.

Don

We too had to put a cat down after 16 plus years as a part of our family - sad day and my heart goes out to you...

Sorry to hear the news Don.... As adults we all know that there is no logical reason to get so attached to our pets, but we do anyway.... Read your post and had to give Pepper an extra hug....Yeah, my 30 pound Cocker Spaniel still likes to sleep in Dad's lap...... Condolances, man. It never does get any easier, does it????

My grandpa's cat died about a year after grandma did. I am surprised he survived the heart ache. I am so glad his last cat outlasted him.

Sorry for your loss, but I honestly believe the best advice would be for you to get another kitten.

Sorry Pops, never easy. You brought back a flash back on our ol' Arnie. She had the same symptoms at about the same age, congestive heart failure. Bad day when we had to send her along. They are a joy!

Thanks everyone for helping me get through a not so pleasant day.

Don

Its a cat.

Don, we have 3 new kittens about 3 weeks old. Black, black tortoise, and black and white. Whch ones would like to have me drop off to you when I come down in later this month. Might have a few more by next week.

Also got one that looks a lot like Bob's. She's older and quite the bitch, but she is getting friendlier. I'd be happy to Fedex her to you tomorrow.

Originally Posted by BigTruckDriver

Its a cat.

You ACTUALLY took your time to type that? I really feel sorry for you. Your life must really be something.

Don