How is it that we get so attached to our pets that we go into meltdown mode when we are loosing them? Sammy, my 16 1/2 year old Tonkinese kitty is in stage 3 renal failure and I am a mess. He is in no obvious pain or distress but I am. He is having problems keeping food down and doesn't seem to want to eat. You can see him wasting away. No one thinks it is time to put him down but knowing the end is near is causing me severe mental anguish. This fur baby has gotten me through so much trauma in my life that I am having great problems letting go. He was there for me when I went through a divorce. He was my companion when I went through my cancer and treatment and had moved cross country and had no one else. He was cuddling up when I was alone. Sammy is a lover. He has a wonderful disposition and a talker. He loves everyone. It is almost impossible for me think that he will not be around much longer. For the last 2 days he was throwing up everything he ate. I thought last night that it was the end and I had a major meltdown. My wonderful and loving husband has been propping me up even though he is not fond of cats. He has gone out of his way to make sure Sammy has everything and anything that might help him. We got a reprieve today. Sammy ate some turkey and some baby food and has managed to keep it all down. If he eats we buy time... how much I have no idea. I don't think I am ever going to be ready for this one.
9 comments:
Hugs Sherryl. I understand completely your feelings. I went through a rough time last year when my (now) 16 yr old Maine Coon mix Stanza was diagnosed with extreme hyperthryoidism then had a reaction to the common med used to treat it. It was extremely hard on us both when she was ill with the reactions etc. She did end up having radioactive iodine treatment and has recovered nicely but I now know her time with me in not unlimited so we take each day as it comes and I give her all the affection she asks for. I have made the difficult decisions and discussed them with the vet so everyone knows that when it's time, it's time. I know I will grieve her passing when it comes but in the meantime we seem to be enjoying each other more every day.
Please enjoy your remaining time with Sammy as much as you can.
Hugs again.
I am so sorry and know exactly how you feel. I lost my 16 year old calico in January, and she, like your Sammy, was my one and only source of comfort, solace, and unconditional love in any and every tragedy and upheaval in my life. It's like losing a child and I will hold you and Sammy in my heart, thoughts, and prayers.
Thank you both. Stanza and I have something in common. We both had radioactive iodine treatment. She might be around longer than you think :-).
I'm so sorry to hear about your kitty, I know how hard it is to let a pet go. We have one who is in his last days now. He is in no obvious pain, but he is skin and bones and has an egg sized lump on his hip that is growing. I hope the days go easily for you both.
Oh, Sherryl.... It really is so hard to say good-bye. I, too, had a cat who was with me for 18 years, my whole adult life in Chicago. He was so wonderful! I found him a couple of months after I arrived. He was starving and I thought he was retarded, but he was just weak. It took him four years to make a sound and then several more before he would let anyone else see him. He had kidney failure at the end and went down rapidly, but wouldn't die. He was in a coma for a couple of days and I cried and cried because the vet said he could go on like that for several more and I just wanted him to die on his own. But, I couldn't bear to watch him like that, so I had to put him down. It was heart wrenching and now I have four dogs who are all close in age. It's going to be a nightmare when they reach their time.
Yet, I try to focus on how fortunate we have been to walk a bit together and that we really need to be better as a society about letting death be a part of life. I don't know where that fine line is between extending life because there is still a good road to walk and between being able to say good-bye with dignity and gentleness. It's tough and my thoughts are with you! You'll have to make some art out of this!
I'm so sorry to read about the pain you are going through. I know how it feels, being a pet keeper myself.
So sorry to hear this Sherryl. I have been there with two of my cats too. Enjoy your time with him as long as it is possible. Sending you cyber hugs.
So sorry to hear that Sherryl. I had two cats and lost them both within 8 months of each other. I know how painful it is. My prayers are with you both.
Oh, Sherryl, I feel so bad for you. I lost my sweet kitty of 19 years last year, so I know what you're going through. Hugs to you both.
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