Another one Gone

[Robyn Jodie]

Lost our kitty companion of 20 years 8 months the other day.  She apparently had a heart attack.  Since she appeared to be suffering, we were going to take her to the vet, but she died on the way (I'm sort of glad since I've never had to "put down" a pet).  My son, who can hardly remember life without her is devastated.  Wish I know some way to make him feel better.

[BabyLock]

Robyn Jodie -

Condolences on your loss.

I have had the blessing of 8 dogs and two cats waiting for me in the hereafter.
Presently have two dogs as companions for me.
Putting an animal down is an event that shows your compassion for your best friend - canine or feline.
When medical science stops working and age sets in the difficult decision of "Quality of Life" becomes
an issue. In your case your cat did you a favor but the euthanasia of a pet is far easier for the pet and
not so much for yourself. But being there to comfort a pet in the end makes the passing a great deal
easier for the owner - realizing that it is the honorable thing to do compassion caring to the very end.

It is hard to write and put words down - and as you have noted your son is devastated - if considering
a new family friend include your son in the process to have a better understanding of the bond formed
between each other. Something to also consider is the quality time spent with our animal friends in that
they usually have a life much shorter than ours and for each to get as much out of it as possible.

If this touches you a bit odd I apologize - again my sympathy in your loss !

A fellow animal lover and caretaker.

 

[Betty]

OMG, I'm so sorry. She beat the odds. It's rare for a cat to live that long, but there are a few even older. The average is only 12-14 years old. When you have a pet that long they're like a member of the family.

My last 2 cats were also a brother & sister of the same age & genetics. They passed away within a year of each other. So it was devastating to lose both in a year. Sigh. I just came across some pictures of them on a old disk yesterday afternoon. With the modern digital age we can take as many pictures as we want, & not have to wait for or pay for developing. I thought I had a lot of pictures of those cats, but these days since we even have cameras on the simplest mobile phones too, I find I already have more pix of the new cats, who will only be turning 3 y/o later this spring.

LOL, my sister takes tons of pix of her pets, & even pix of her food to post on Facebook.

My cats are either on me or laying against me most of time I'm sitting or laying around, & follow me wherever I walk most of the time. Right now the girl is in my lap, & the boy is right beside me. My old cats were the same way. I'm very attached to them. Before I got laid off, when I'd get home from work they would greet me at the door doing a happy dance, meowing & purring every day.

You may consider getting another pet someday. I've had pets all my life, so with none in the house, it got too quiet & boring. So for me, a home with nobody in it but me or no pets is incomplete.

[Betty]

Here's a post from somebody else who lost their baby. I added comforting pix of kittens. You know if you're a real pet fan, you'll get another someday. I suggest 2 probably from the same litter someday. A boy & girl from the same litter do best together, because they don't compete or conflict with each other as much. They can keep each other company when you're busy or not around so they don't go nuts or get weird on you.

http://unclegadget.com/BettysPubs/community/index.php?topic=265.0

Her new adopted kittens, the adoption process,
http://unclegadget.com/BettysPubs/community/index.php?topic=333.0

More fun with my cats
http://unclegadget.com/BettysPubs/community/index.php?topic=364.0

[Robyn Jodie]

Thanks, Betty.  Your first reply brought tears to my eyes.  And yes, we really did beat the odds with this kitty.  Her quality of life toward the end wasn't terrific, but it was okay.  It was when it suddenly became Not-Okay that we headed for the vet. My adult son (really she was his cat) disliked the idea of having her put to sleep, but had decided in advance that that option was better than letting her suffer, so we acted quickly.