Never really considered myself a sappy kind of guy. But makes you realize how important pets become in your life.
My cat Willie, got him from the animal shelter the month my wife and I moved in together. over 7 years ago. Beautiful double pawed pure white cat (not albino). 10 years old when we got him. Was abused and locked up alot that we can figure and ended up in the animal shelter. Didnt like doors closed anywhere. He turned around so much given time in our loving home. Was the most friendliest cat you met. Would go to anyone after that. But did not like dogs. Got in the face of my neighbors Golden retriever that snuck in to our house. And chased him out. Not a lap cat but that was ok. Real healthy cat never a problem with him till recently. Discovered a lump on his leg. Took him to the vets to discover it was a cancerous tumor. Did I say he was healthy? Took three of us to hold him for a shot. And even then he leapt out of all our grip. Strong cat. 16lbs. So he underwent a surgury to remove it. They did not get it all. So they had to go back in and get another surgury. Went through that fine. But the skin graft was having trouble adhering. Then today when I got up I found 5 piles of throw up and a pile of crap in my living room and he was just laying there. Could barely move and was shaky. Bleeding from his rectum. So got the wife out of work to come home and I took the day off and rushed him to the vets. We took turns holding him. Then as he was on my wife he started vomiting again and he could not control his bladder at all. Layed him on the table in tears and he could not even pick up his head. The vet rushed in and we tearfully asked him to end Willies suffering. 2 minutes later we said our goodbyes to a very beloved cat as the drug kicked in and my cats heart stopped beating.
Funny I still cannot come to grips with his passing. Not hearing him tearing through the house at 3am after taking a dump. Or the random meows. My wife took it worse but as a man I had to be the voice of reason of consolation. But now I cannot really deal with his loss.
All I can think about is that its my fault. Was the decision to give him the surguries wrong? All I can remember at this point is how many times I yelled at him for things. Jumping on the table, chasing the other cat,(Princess) Stealing bbq chicken and dragging it across brand new white dining room chair cushions and then the carpet. Why cant I remember how playful he always was. How even at the age of 17 he acted more like a kitten. Guilt is what eats at me now.
Dont know why I wrote this really. Just needed an outlet for my grief I guess. I cant really share this with the wife as I finally got her to accept that we made the right decision for him and that at least he didnt have to suffer for a long time. He was perfect yesterday. We dont know what happened and I guess we never will. He is at peace now and that is all that matters.
This cat meant the world to me. I just wish I would have shown that more. He was a wonderful cat and I will miss him terribly.
I have learned a valuable lesson. Dont take a pet for granted. Enjoy the time you have with them. If they scratch a chair,it can be replaced. If they make a mess, it can be cleaned. Jumps on me to be pet when I am not in a mood to,maybe thats what we both need, to be shown affection. I wont push an animal away again.
Willie you were the best pet anyone could ask for. I see that now. You were loved. Please rest in peace and forgive this stupid human.

No need to reply to this thread. Just trying to work some things out and needed to do something. This was the first real pet I ever had. My sister and father are allergic to animals so I never had one as a kid. I guess thats why this is so hard.
Rich

[This message has been edited by HIOSILVER! (edited 04-04-2003).]

I'm really sorry to hear what happened. It is difficult to say goodbye to these animals that become part of our lives.

Many years ago, my dog had a very similar experience. To this day I couldn't imagine finding a dog that would be a better pet than she was.

It may have been difficult, but you did make the right decision. To make your cat go through more pain would have been the wrong thing to do. After a few days you'll only be able to think of the good memories.

I feel your pain, I have had several cats and all of them are special. Galloway Road has taken most of them from us, just cant keep them in the house no mater what we try. It is even harder to loose a pet the way that you did. Felix was about a year and a half old, my wife got him from down the street. I got a call that he was not acting right and would not come in the house. By the time I could get off work he was almost paralyzed. I brought him in the house and he died 20 minutes later. It was like he held on to say good bye. I lost our 3 year old the next day the same way, the neighbor found her. I don’t know who did it but someone had poisoned my pets. About a year later we got shadow, he was great. Bonded with my wife right off. About two weeks ago my wife met me in the drive way and was crying. She told me to drive around the block and see if that was shadow on Galloway Road. Sure enough it was our little friend. I picked him up and we buried him in the yard.
It is hard to loose a friend. I feel your pain and hope that you will start remembering the good time soon, you did the right thing.
Jake

in due time another animal will need you. be ready.

I understand how you feel.

Be confident that you did the right thing.
All the right things.
I can't think of a single thing that I would have done differently.

The fact that you *did* do the right thing is little consolation, sometimes. Talk with your wife about how you feel. You need each other.

[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 04-05-2003).]

Man that pulls at you...
I have four cats and could never think about not having cats around.
When I was only a year old we got a kitten and named her Doopy,and she grew up with me.Met me at the bus stop,followed me all around and slept on my pillow every nite.When I was 17 her kidneys failed almost overnite,and we had to put her down.I buried her in the back yard with two of our other cats.A 21 year old that went a year earlir,and my aunts 22 year old that went years before...
It was the hardest thing I have ever been through.
I loved my little "boo-lou"
I know it sounds silly and sappy,but we all miss them
Sorry about your loss Rich.
Someday you'll get another to love.

-Mark

They definitely turn into another one of the kids! i have never owned a cat, but I have had alot of Dogs.
You can discipline them and they don't hold a grudge. They will come back five minutes after a scolding and give you a big wet kiss.
I think sometimes we all can learn a few lessons from the unconditional love that Fido gives us.
You made the right choice.

Thanks all for the kind words its appreciated. And Mark this is why I havent been able to get the GT parts from you yet. Hope you dont think I was backing out. I spent over 600 to get the surgeries and was looking at another 700 to 1k for the next for his skin graft that wasnt taking. I put up my ZX-7 for sale to fund that one. Still havent found a buyer yet.
He was a wonderful animal. Thanks for all the support. Never thought I would get this broken up over a cat.
The wife wants a dog. I told her not until both cats pass away. I promised them a good life when we took them from the shelter and that is what I intend on doing. No dogs. Im not gonna stress out my other cat for this.
Rich

quote Originally posted by Indyellowgt: Man that pulls at you... I have four cats and could never think about not having cats around. When I was only a year old we got a kitten and named her Doopy,and she grew up with me.Met me at the bus stop,followed me all around and slept on my pillow every nite.When I was 17 her kidneys failed almost overnite,and we had to put her down.I buried her in the back yard with two of our other cats.A 21 year old that went a year earlir,and my aunts 22 year old that went years before... It was the hardest thing I have ever been through. I loved my little "boo-lou" I know it sounds silly and sappy,but we all miss them Sorry about your loss Rich. Someday you'll get another to love. -Mark

quote Originally posted by HIOSILVER!: Thanks all for the kind words its appreciated. And Mark this is why I havent been able to get the GT parts from you yet. Hope you dont think I was backing out. I spent over 600 to get the surgeries and was looking at another 700 to 1k for the next for his skin graft that wasnt taking. I put up my ZX-7 for sale to fund that one. Still havent found a buyer yet. He was a wonderful animal. Thanks for all the support. Never thought I would get this broken up over a cat. The wife wants a dog. I told her not until both cats pass away. I promised them a good life when we took them from the shelter and that is what I intend on doing. No dogs. Im not gonna stress out my other cat for this. Rich

My heart goes out to ya . I have a 12 year old cat and a 9 year old dog. They're like my children, and when they die, I'm sure a part of me will too. You obviously went 1000 time further than most people would in regard to the surgeries and emotion spent, so try not to beat yourself up. You were willing to seel what was probably your favorite machine to pay for an extension of his life; feel good about all the sacrifices you made for an animal that would likely have had a horrible/non-existent life.

"I promised them a good life when we took them from the shelter and that is what I intend on doing."

That is theme of your post to me. So many people throw away their pets when they move or the pets develop problems, and to those people I say they're trash. When you make a commitment to a pet, it's not like a marriage to spouse; it's forever. What's at stake is a life, not marital bliss, so my hat is off to you my friend for making that distinction of your commitment to your companion animals.

My condolences.

With so many things going on in the world these days, pets can be the one true constant we have as companions. You should be happy knowing you made your pet's life better for a while, and that perhaps, in the future, you will do the same for another.

Rich, Please don't feel quilty.

You do what you can and other things take their course. I recently had an old cat I called "old man" pass and I am happy to know that I tried to give him a chance. It just wasn't going to happen. He had cancer too.
This old tom would go with me to the shop everytime I went to work on the car. He'd lay on an old cushion and watch like some old shop supervisor over my shoulder. He was always there, and now he's not. He NEVER got on the car. Go figure that.
I may have to get rid of that cushion.

Sooner or later, they all have to go and somehow I take comfort in what they have given me and what I gave them. A long way from what many pitch-outs get.

Heartfelt loss,

TG

I'm really sorry for your loss. Losing a pet can be devastating. Yuo did do the right thing with the surgeries. They are harder on older pets because of the anesthetic, but still the best choice. You said he was fine one day, then got worse....that's usually what happens when an animal has cancer. They find it in one place, but usually have more of it in their body undetected. Looks like he was a great cat. He was lucky to have u as an owner. I know it's so hard to deal with, but things will get better in time. Someone said there'll be another pet out there needing a home and to be ready....it's true. No pet can really replace another, but sometimes it helps alot to get a different one. It takes your mind off the loss of the cat and brings a new love into ur life. Please dont blame yourself...you did everything u could, everything any good loving pet owner would do. Things will get better, I promise. If u need to talk more, PM me....I'm a vet tech.

Take care!
Robin