Comments on: How to Handle The Final Appointment http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/how-to-handle-the-final-appointment/3755 understand their nature Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:16:09 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Worried Owner UK http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/how-to-handle-the-final-appointment/3755/comment-page-1#comment-18142 Worried Owner UK Sun, 05 Feb 2012 22:25:54 +0000 http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/?p=3755#comment-18142 My pet cat Maggie is 10-12 yrs old, and now I'm having to face the difficult decision of possibly having to put her down. Originally she belonged to my sister who couldn't afford to look after her so my mother took her in along with Maggie's mother. I first noticed Maggie had problems when she was off her food and from then on it got progressively worse, she started weeing herself uncontrollably and mewing like she was in pain and it hurt me to see her like this so I spent time with her until I could take her to the vet the next day. I took her to the vet and it turned out she has problems with her kidneys and her liver and she's a little bit diabetic and the vet mentioned in the notes she may of been poisoned. She spent some time in the vet clinic and they put her on a drip and made sure to feed her fluids and insulin to boost her system. Now however, I have been nursing and feeding her at home but I'm not sure if it's made a difference or not all I can do is pray I guess but I'm still scared of saying goodbye to her. I have had many cats over the years but it never gets any easier to say goodbye to them. Worried Owner, UK My pet cat Maggie is 10-12 yrs old, and now I’m having to face the difficult decision of possibly having to put her down. Originally she belonged to my sister who couldn’t afford to look after her so my mother took her in along with Maggie’s mother.
I first noticed Maggie had problems when she was off her food and from then on it got progressively worse, she started weeing herself uncontrollably and mewing like she was in pain and it hurt me to see her like this so I spent time with her until I could take her to the vet the next day. I took her to the vet and it turned out she has problems with her kidneys and her liver and she’s a little bit diabetic and the vet mentioned in the notes she may of been poisoned. She spent some time in the vet clinic and they put her on a drip and made sure to feed her fluids and insulin to boost her system. Now however, I have been nursing and feeding her at home but I’m not sure if it’s made a difference or not all I can do is pray I guess but I’m still scared of saying goodbye to her. I have had many cats over the years but it never gets any easier to say goodbye to them.

Worried Owner, UK

]]> By: Lisa http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/how-to-handle-the-final-appointment/3755/comment-page-1#comment-18125 Lisa Sun, 05 Feb 2012 16:48:43 +0000 http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/?p=3755#comment-18125 It has been hard to see through my tears as I read what others before me have shared about their overwhelming love of their pets. I lost my dear DeeDee in December after 17 years and now, today, I will have to let my Smallie go. The love that I feel for her and the bond that we share is something only another animal lover could understand. Through thick and thin, good and bad, she has been by my side..........crawling into bed with me every night to sleep by my side. What will I do with out her support; her unconditional love, her "rabbit" fur, her unique little meow...her waiting to see me EVERY day....It is unbearable.....She has been diagnosed with renal failure and I wanted to know that I exhausted each and every possibility to keep her comfortable. I think she is waiting for me......to tell her that it is ok to go............run after the butterflies with DeeDee...bask in the sun; where there is no pain and suffering. My heart is so heavy......there are no words to express. My life will never be the same without her. Peace be with us all. Our animals came to share their time with us and we have been blessed beyond words. Our lives are richer because of them and the immeasurable joy they brought to us. It has been hard to see through my tears as I read what others before me have shared about their overwhelming love of their pets. I lost my dear DeeDee in December after 17 years and now, today, I will have to let my Smallie go. The love that I feel for her and the bond that we share is something only another animal lover could understand. Through thick and thin, good and bad, she has been by my side……….crawling into bed with me every night to sleep by my side. What will I do with out her support; her unconditional love, her “rabbit” fur, her unique little meow…her waiting to see me EVERY day….It is unbearable…..She has been diagnosed with renal failure and I wanted to know that I exhausted each and every possibility to keep her comfortable. I think she is waiting for me……to tell her that it is ok to go…………run after the butterflies with DeeDee…bask in the sun; where there is no pain and suffering. My heart is so heavy……there are no words to express. My life will never be the same without her.

Peace be with us all. Our animals came to share their time with us and we have been blessed beyond words. Our lives are richer because of them and the immeasurable joy they brought to us.

]]> By: Daran http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/how-to-handle-the-final-appointment/3755/comment-page-1#comment-18042 Daran Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:50:33 +0000 http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/?p=3755#comment-18042 My Precious is 17 years of age and she is very ill where our vet will be coming to our home tomorrow to let her rest. I am a man with a family of four children and a caring wife, I pride myself on being strong for protecting my family, but I find myself very weak when having to make this decision. I cannot stop crying and feeling guilt that I have not done enough to protect my Precious from getting ill or if I had not paid close enough attention to her needs where I could have detected this earlier. Precious has a tumor in her face that has wrapped itself around her Eustachian tube, which means, she has no balance. On top of that, she has an enlarged thyroid which is compounding her medical issues and the reason for her weight loss. She went from being my little girlie to losing massive amounts of weight regardless of how much she ate in on a month's time. Multiple vet visits to our house over the past 14 months were not enough, medication were not enough, I have been watching my Precious slowly die and my guilt for not being able to let go and make the decision sooner is so profound. She looked at me and in her face, it looked as she was saying she was too tired to go on and that broke my heart and I have been a wreck ever since. Precious was born in July 1995 and is a Maine Coon. While stationed in Cheyenne, WY at FE Warner AFB, how I found her was an accident as I went to a pet store which sold fish and birds, but she was there, roughly 6 weeks old, eye's not fully opened and the only feline in the store alone in a cage, crying for me and it was love at first sight for me. She has been with me though the lowest parts of my life, when I was starting off into adulthood, she was there for me through all the highs in my life (getting my first job after college, buying a house, marrying and starting a family....list goes on). She is part of me and letting her go is the most painful thing I have ever had to do. My children are 3 years of age, triplets, they don't understand the big picture, but they know Precious is sick and that daddy is sad. I don't care what people think of my sadness nor am I embarrassed about showing it. But, what I am scared of is not being strong for my Precious tomorrow when the time is here. She trust's me and has loved me unconditionally and I feel so much sadness in losing her by *ME* making the decision. I must have her feel safe though this process and that is the strength I am in search of. This comment I am writing is more for me to express my feelings, for me, but also to share her story. Precious is not a pet to me, she is my companion and a part of me and I love her more than most people can understand. I miss her dearly even while she is still here. Precious, I love you so deeply and I hope you find comfort and peace and most of all, that you will find me when my time comes. Your loving friend, for life, Daran..... My Precious is 17 years of age and she is very ill where our vet will be coming to our home tomorrow to let her rest.

I am a man with a family of four children and a caring wife, I pride myself on being strong for protecting my family, but I find myself very weak when having to make this decision. I cannot stop crying and feeling guilt that I have not done enough to protect my Precious from getting ill or if I had not paid close enough attention to her needs where I could have detected this earlier. Precious has a tumor in her face that has wrapped itself around her Eustachian tube, which means, she has no balance. On top of that, she has an enlarged thyroid which is compounding her medical issues and the reason for her weight loss.

She went from being my little girlie to losing massive amounts of weight regardless of how much she ate in on a month’s time. Multiple vet visits to our house over the past 14 months were not enough, medication were not enough, I have been watching my Precious slowly die and my guilt for not being able to let go and make the decision sooner is so profound.

She looked at me and in her face, it looked as she was saying she was too tired to go on and that broke my heart and I have been a wreck ever since.

Precious was born in July 1995 and is a Maine Coon. While stationed in Cheyenne, WY at FE Warner AFB, how I found her was an accident as I went to a pet store which sold fish and birds, but she was there, roughly 6 weeks old, eye’s not fully opened and the only feline in the store alone in a cage, crying for me and it was love at first sight for me.

She has been with me though the lowest parts of my life, when I was starting off into adulthood, she was there for me through all the highs in my life (getting my first job after college, buying a house, marrying and starting a family….list goes on).

She is part of me and letting her go is the most painful thing I have ever had to do. My children are 3 years of age, triplets, they don’t understand the big picture, but they know Precious is sick and that daddy is sad.

I don’t care what people think of my sadness nor am I embarrassed about showing it. But, what I am scared of is not being strong for my Precious tomorrow when the time is here. She trust’s me and has loved me unconditionally and I feel so much sadness in losing her by *ME* making the decision. I must have her feel safe though this process and that is the strength I am in search of.

This comment I am writing is more for me to express my feelings, for me, but also to share her story.

Precious is not a pet to me, she is my companion and a part of me and I love her more than most people can understand.

I miss her dearly even while she is still here.

Precious, I love you so deeply and I hope you find comfort and peace and most of all, that you will find me when my time comes.

Your loving friend, for life, Daran…..

]]> By: Robert http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/how-to-handle-the-final-appointment/3755/comment-page-1#comment-17464 Robert Wed, 11 Jan 2012 02:28:14 +0000 http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/?p=3755#comment-17464 I see I'm not the only one who's torn apart right now. Gizersmom, I know what you're going through because I'm going through the same thing now. My little sweetheart, Rita was diagnosed with congestive heart disease in September. I've had her for 6 years now. I found her after Hurricane Rita had decimated the southwest Louisiana Gulf Coast in 2005. She was living near a fish plant in Cameron Parish, Louisiana. How she made it through that hurricane is a miracle. Whoever owned her before had declawed her and just left her there to fend for herself through that hurricane. After I found her I took her home and the last half dozen years she's lived a life of comfort with always a full tummy and a soft bed to sleep on. But I could tell she had been losing weight the last couple of weeks and the vet told me that there really wasn't any hope. I just wanted to ease her suffering. So this afternoon, I held her and said goodbye to my little angel. Then Dr. Woodward, who is a very competent, very caring veterinarian came in the room and gave her the shot that put her to sleep as if she was just laying down for a nap. I don't honestly know if we ever meet our pets in an after life, but I certainly hope so. I'm praying that Rita is in an afterlife where she's healthy and happy like she used to be before she got sick and when she'd curl up on my lap while I'd be watching TV. I see I’m not the only one who’s torn apart right now. Gizersmom, I know what you’re going through because I’m going through the same thing now. My little sweetheart, Rita was diagnosed with congestive heart disease in September. I’ve had her for 6 years now. I found her after Hurricane Rita had decimated the southwest Louisiana Gulf Coast in 2005. She was living near a fish plant in Cameron Parish, Louisiana. How she made it through that hurricane is a miracle. Whoever owned her before had declawed her and just left her there to fend for herself through that hurricane. After I found her I took her home and the last half dozen years she’s lived a life of comfort with always a full tummy and a soft bed to sleep on. But I could tell she had been losing weight the last couple of weeks and the vet told me that there really wasn’t any hope. I just wanted to ease her suffering. So this afternoon, I held her and said goodbye to my little angel. Then Dr. Woodward, who is a very competent, very caring veterinarian came in the room and gave her the shot that put her to sleep as if she was just laying down for a nap. I don’t honestly know if we ever meet our pets in an after life, but I certainly hope so. I’m praying that Rita is in an afterlife where she’s healthy and happy like she used to be before she got sick and when she’d curl up on my lap while I’d be watching TV.

]]> By: GizersMom http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/how-to-handle-the-final-appointment/3755/comment-page-1#comment-17436 GizersMom Mon, 09 Jan 2012 21:04:21 +0000 http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/?p=3755#comment-17436 I write this through tears as I try to accept the fact that it is time to let my little one go. Gizmo has been my constant companion for the last 18 years and has been through more with me than any human has been. I always turn to him for comfort and am so lost knowing that I'm not going to be able to do that anymore, especially now, at the time that I have needed comfort most in my life. Giz has had kidney disease for the last couple of years and has continued to live a pretty comfortable life up until the last couple of weeks. He has pretty much stopped eating, or at least what little he is eating, is not really enough to keep him going. I have switched from dry food to wet and this has perked his interest a little, but he still goes and lays down in the office, away from everybody, and goes right to sleep as soon as he is done. In reading your article, I learned to ask myself if he's still happy, and I have to say that for the most part, he is not. It's those morning and evening snuggles, as brief as they are these days, where he crawls up on my chest and lays down and purrs that makes me question if it's time or not. He may be happy at that mom ent, but is that enough to make it worth living to him? I wish I knew just how much discomfort he is in, as I think that would help me to make the decision easier. Thank you so much for writing these articles...just hearing what others have gone through and what to expect has been a big help at this most difficult time. My heart goes out to anyone who has loved and lost like this...it's so painful. I write this through tears as I try to accept the fact that it is time to let my little one go. Gizmo has been my constant companion for the last 18 years and has been through more with me than any human has been. I always turn to him for comfort and am so lost knowing that I’m not going to be able to do that anymore, especially now, at the time that I have needed comfort most in my life. Giz has had kidney disease for the last couple of years and has continued to live a pretty comfortable life up until the last couple of weeks. He has pretty much stopped eating, or at least what little he is eating, is not really enough to keep him going. I have switched from dry food to wet and this has perked his interest a little, but he still goes and lays down in the office, away from everybody, and goes right to sleep as soon as he is done. In reading your article, I learned to ask myself if he’s still happy, and I have to say that for the most part, he is not. It’s those morning and evening snuggles, as brief as they are these days, where he crawls up on my chest and lays down and purrs that makes me question if it’s time or not. He may be happy at that mom
ent, but is that enough to make it worth living to him? I wish I knew just how much discomfort he is in, as I think that would help me to make the decision easier. Thank you so much for writing these articles…just hearing what others have gone through and what to expect has been a big help at this most difficult time. My heart goes out to anyone who has loved and lost like this…it’s so painful.

]]> By: Rachel http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/how-to-handle-the-final-appointment/3755/comment-page-1#comment-11157 Rachel Sun, 12 Jun 2011 19:36:34 +0000 http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/?p=3755#comment-11157 A million thankyou s for your words - I found a vet who was amazing with us , even though she didn't know us at all. I seemed to do what was instinctive - My loving & amazing cat was put asleep last Friday - I cried , even though I (daftly) thought I'd be strong - My tears fell on to my cat, - I was talking to her all the time as the vet gently let her go . When I got home - it was then I cried out loud - I have peace knowing that the life me & my daughters & my husband gave her & the love & affection she gave us back was the best ever & she wouldn't want to be in pain & distress. ( She had advanced intestinal cancer) - & her spirit will be around always . xxx - A million thankyou s for your words – I found a vet who was amazing with us , even though she didn’t know us at all. I seemed to do what was instinctive – My loving & amazing cat was put asleep last Friday – I cried , even though I (daftly) thought I’d be strong – My tears fell on to my cat, – I was talking to her all the time as the vet gently let her go . When I got home – it was then I cried out loud – I have peace knowing that the life me & my daughters & my husband gave her & the love & affection she gave us back was the best ever & she wouldn’t want to be in pain & distress. ( She had advanced intestinal cancer) – & her spirit will be around always . xxx -

]]> By: Wendy http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/how-to-handle-the-final-appointment/3755/comment-page-1#comment-11051 Wendy Thu, 26 May 2011 04:40:29 +0000 http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/?p=3755#comment-11051 Thank you so much for this post; it's the only one I've seen that actually gives advice on how to handle those final moments, and helped me to make that plan. I realize now that I cannot allow myself to cry during that appointment, for my kitty's sake. She is so tuned to me that when I cry, she gets upset and cries too. So for her, I will remain calm; I will comfort and soothe her and make the transition as gentle as possible. I can give reign to my grief afterwards. I have a wonderful vet who has gently walked along side us through this whole illness, and will come to my house and put kitty to sleep while she lays on my lap. I am so thankful to have this option. Thank you so much for this post; it’s the only one I’ve seen that actually gives advice on how to handle those final moments, and helped me to make that plan. I realize now that I cannot allow myself to cry during that appointment, for my kitty’s sake. She is so tuned to me that when I cry, she gets upset and cries too. So for her, I will remain calm; I will comfort and soothe her and make the transition as gentle as possible. I can give reign to my grief afterwards. I have a wonderful vet who has gently walked along side us through this whole illness, and will come to my house and put kitty to sleep while she lays on my lap. I am so thankful to have this option.

]]> By: grieving cat owner http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/how-to-handle-the-final-appointment/3755/comment-page-1#comment-10933 grieving cat owner Tue, 10 May 2011 16:37:10 +0000 http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/?p=3755#comment-10933 We just euthanized our cat yesterday. He was ill and it was the hardest thing I ever did. The vet was great. He put the catheter in behind the scene and injected enough medicine to relax our cat. Then he brought him to us all wrapped up in a blanket and put our beloved cat to sleep. He said many nice words about our cat as he had known him for many years. It was such a relief to see our cat slip into a relaxing sleep. When he was gone, he just looked like he was sleeping. It was a peaceful experience. My husband and I and our child were crying but not distressed. I would recommend for anyone questioning whether to be there when your animal is euthanized, to not be afraid. It was the most natural thing to do - the logical and humane conclusion to the beautiful life he lived. Keep the focus on your pet until he is at peace, and then focus on yourselves. We just euthanized our cat yesterday. He was ill and it was the hardest thing I ever did. The vet was great. He put the catheter in behind the scene and injected enough medicine to relax our cat. Then he brought him to us all wrapped up in a blanket and put our beloved cat to sleep. He said many nice words about our cat as he had known him for many years. It was such a relief to see our cat slip into a relaxing sleep. When he was gone, he just looked like he was sleeping. It was a peaceful experience. My husband and I and our child were crying but not distressed. I would recommend for anyone questioning whether to be there when your animal is euthanized, to not be afraid. It was the most natural thing to do – the logical and humane conclusion to the beautiful life he lived. Keep the focus on your pet until he is at peace, and then focus on yourselves.

]]> By: Prissie's Parent http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/how-to-handle-the-final-appointment/3755/comment-page-1#comment-9495 Prissie's Parent Fri, 21 Jan 2011 03:09:44 +0000 http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/?p=3755#comment-9495 After much struggle and heroic efforts to make Prissie well, I finally decided on a Christmas Eve two years ago that I had to let her go in peace. The last effort was to have been a possible blood transfusion on Christmas Eve. She was suffering and I didn't want to prolong the agony. I wish I had read this before then. I couldn't imagine watching as my sweetie was put to sleep. Had I know about the fight to survive in this article, I would have stayed with her to the end. Even without being there the loss was tremendous. I just now adopted another kitten. After much struggle and heroic efforts to make Prissie well, I finally decided on a Christmas Eve two years ago that I had to let her go in peace. The last effort was to have been a possible blood transfusion on Christmas Eve. She was suffering and I didn’t want to prolong the agony. I wish I had read this before then. I couldn’t imagine watching as my sweetie was put to sleep. Had I know about the fight to survive in this article, I would have stayed with her to the end. Even without being there the loss was tremendous. I just now adopted another kitten.

]]> By: Hedwig http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/how-to-handle-the-final-appointment/3755/comment-page-1#comment-4908 Hedwig Sun, 04 Apr 2010 02:44:16 +0000 http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/?p=3755#comment-4908 I came across this article while searching for comfort and it was beautiful to read and yes i cried too i have just lost my dear cat Fluffy he was taken ill suddenly and i stayed up all night with him and got him to the vet first thing only to hear what i dreaded and im not afraid to admit i was breaking my heart from the word go i just crumbled, he had chronic liver failure and had to be put to sleep that was on fri 2/4/10 this is now 2 days on and im still crying he was only 8 years old i loved him with all my heart and soul and always will and yes i do believe we will be reunited someday i take comfort from that and i hope others do to. I came across this article while searching for comfort and it was beautiful to read and yes i cried too i have just lost my dear cat Fluffy he was taken ill suddenly and i stayed up all night with him and got him to the vet first thing only to hear what i dreaded and im not afraid to admit i was breaking my heart from the word go i just crumbled, he had chronic liver failure and had to be put to sleep that was on fri 2/4/10 this is now 2 days on and im still crying he was only 8 years old i loved him with all my heart and soul and always will and yes i do believe we will be reunited someday i take comfort from that and i hope others do to.

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