The time has come to say goodbye to my little buddy,

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quicker than I thought it would. In about an hour, we will be on our way to the Vets so he can be put out of his misery. I appreciate all the wonderful, caring responses I've received over the last day or so, to my blog entry. Please don't feel obligated to respond to this one though.

The Vet concurs that there is no hope for him, save some very, very expensive tests and treatments, none of which I can afford. I can't stand to see him not eating, listless and hurting. I have to do this and yet...how can I condemn my furball to death?

I'll be with him when he breathes his last, and he'll be interred in our backyard, so I can visit him. Maybe, in time I'll be able to deal with this, but right now, my heart is breaking and I'm crying like a baby, and I dread the next hour more than any other time in my life.

There will be no more animals sharing my living space. I can't do this, ever again. It hurts too much. I don't know if I'll be online for the next day or so, but please don't worry. I'll get through this and be okay...in time.

Once again, thank you all so very much for your touching and thoughtful responses. I appreciate, and treasure, every one of them. I hope and pray that, if you ever have to do this, you will receive the outpouring of hope, love, and kindness I have gotten. Wish me courage today. I'm going to need every bit I can muster.

Peace and love to all of you.
Cathy.

Comments

No obligation

But a need. Many of us know this pain, and I would gladly be with you to share it if I could. Lacking that, please take some comfort in knowing you are helping Roadblock along his final journey with a certain dignity. Take care of yourself and let us all know when you are back. We do care.

God bless,
Karen J.

* * * * * * * *
Change We Can Believe In - Barack Obama

Meet the new boss,
Same as the old boss

Won't Get Fooled Again - The Who


"Life is not measured by the breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.”
George Carlin

Like she said, Catherine

We have had two pets who have been "put out of their misery" at the vets and both have caused me to get tearful.

When Tosh--our Rotty died, I had to walk back from the vets with tears running down my face. When Pickle our cat died, it was no better.

So I understand completely and hope that you will be okay.

Big hugs

NB

Jessica
I'm not bad. I'm just drawn that way.

I face the same ....

..... decision. It can't long be delayed. A question of judgement as to when the minuses are greater than the pluses for him.

After sixteen and a half years .....

So you have my heartfelt sympathy

Hugs,

Fleurie Fleurie

Fleurie

Marigolds for Memory

erin's picture

Marigolds for Memory...

by J.J. Lynchdale

My friend died while I held his head.
He never purred aloud but just days before he died.
The color of pale old coins, his golden fur felt soft as cotton,
And the white fur on his belly, soft as air.

Bow-legged, snaggle-toothed, Old Bladder-Sitter
Waking me up at six a.m.
Old Doorknob Head, the Cat Who Walked through Walls,
Muttering crankily in his Popeye-voice
That he had not been fed
While his breath still smelled of fish.

Sweet Head-Bumper, mild but never meek,
Why, old friend, did you have to leave so soon?
Like bright new coins, we planted
Marigolds for memory....


Copyright 1997 by J.J. Lynchdale
My SO, Jeanne, and I together were J.J. Lynchdale. The cat was named Phred.

- Erin

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

Condolences and Consolation

You're not condemning your furry friend to suffering and death. You're saving him from it. A poor, dumb animal, you should pardon the expression, should never be made to suffer needlessly. What you're doing is the highest act of selflessness and mercy, giving up your dear, dear pet in order to spare him further suffering.

You should feel no guilt over this. Even if you had all the money in the world, trying to nurse an elderly pet through a myriad of health problems would hardly be kind to the pet, no matter what it did your your conscience and sense of responsibility. If it wasn't for the inevitable grief and sense of loss of a dear old furry friend, your time, effort and humanitarian concern would be far better served by rescuing a friendly, perfectly healthy pet from the pound before it's euthanized simply due to overcrowding.

Dear Cathy,

laika's picture

You're not condemning your little friend to death. The Universe did that, for all of us.
It's how this thing is set up. What you're doing is caring for him, like you've always done,
by choosing to end his suffering; when all the options have vanished except for this or a selfish hanging on,
a refusal to make a choice that will hasten your own pain. But the love you shared with Roadblock won't die when his spirit goes back to ....... wherever it is we go. May your sorrow be tempered by all the good memories of him that you carry in your heart. Cry and talk about this as much as you need to. From the responses to your two blogs it's obvious that a lot of us here understand what joys and fulfillment pets
can bring, and what a huge loss it is to have to say farewell to them. And for those who don't,
well I think you almost have to pity them. Goodbye Roadblock, rest in peace. Good kitty...
~~~big hugs, Laika

.
(Wow Pippa, that was weird we wrote the same thing/same time...)

I absolutely believe

Frank's picture

That *if* there is an afterlife, our furry friends will be there with us...couldn't be heaven without them...

My Love to you both!!!

Alexis

Hugs

Frank

Dear Friends

When a dear family member pass away it always is a time to grieve. Furry or not they shared our family's triumphs and tragedies. Perhaps for us who are TG it even hurts worse. So often we are the outsider looking in, but our furry ones doesn't care about that. They never judge or condemn. It doesn't matter how we are dressed, or how we present ourselves. They are there for us when Real Life has been just too Real for us. Curled beside us while our tears are muffled by a pillow. Licking a hand to remind us that we have responsibilities to others that depends on us. Maybe it is that silly look while wagging a tail so vigorously their entire body is twisting saying in no uncertain terms they love us.

I can not say more for the tears. Right now while writing this Cathy is chatting with me. Her companion has returned in honor to the court of Queen Bast.
hugs!
grover