The Hardest Thing About Owning Pets is Losing One

[MNeedham73]

Especially when you have to make the decision to end the pet's life.

I came home last night from being out with friends to find my 19 year old cat, Scotch, lethargic and with his stomach bloated. I was able to get him to drink and to eat, but he wouldn't or couldn't use the litter box. I started preparing myself for the possibility that it was his time to go.

I stayed up with him as long as I could until I fell asleep. This morning when I woke up, he was in the same spot he was in when I fell asleep. He was still alive, but hadn't moved at all. He was still getting up to drink, but wouldn't eat, until my mom brought over some canned food. He still wouldn't or couldn't use the litter box. I called in sick to work, something I almost never do, no matter how sick I am.

So, I took him to the vet's office, hoping for the best, but preparing myself for the possibility that I might have to make the decision no pet owner wants to make. If I needed anything else to tell me something was very wrong, it was the trip to the vet. Scotch hated car rides and would cry, scream and carry on the whole trip. This morning - not a sound.

The vet ran blood tests and noted that Scotch's gums were white and his eyes were sunken in, signs of dehydration. She took him in back brought back a huge syringe of blood filled fluid that she had drawn from his abdomen. I'm not sure the capacity of the syringe, but it was probably 6" long and had a diameter of nearly an inch. Vet said she could probably 2-3 more of those out of him. Blood test came back showing cancer. Vet informed me that due to Scotch's age and weakened state, he probably wouldn't survive any kind of treatment.

I made the decision I had to make. I stayed with him until the end, petting his head, telling him that I love him. He looked at me, started purring, and then he was gone.

It feels like I've lost my best friend. Which, in a way, I have. It's hard to believe that until today, Scotch had been part of my life since I was 16 years old. And here I am, a few days short of 35. I suppose I should consider myself lucky to have a pet live so long. But, right now, I'm in too much pain to feel lucky.

[cmhbob]

Aw, Mike. I'm sorry for your loss. It sounds like you did the right thing, though that doesn't make the decision any easier.

[Steve]

That's a tough call, Mike. I'm sorry you had to make it. Please accept my condolences.

[Stiofán]

I'm so sorry. My cat Wilbur is 17 1/2 years old, and he's starting to show the signs of age. I've been meaning to get him in to the vets for a check up. He's drinking a lot more water than he used to be, which means diabetes or kidney deterioration, or both. He still runs around like a kitten at times, so he's doing ok, but they don't live forever. My girlfriend's cat went about 2 years ago at age 21, and she lost her dog to cancer in January.

19 years is a long time to be with another living thing, regardless if it is animal or human.

[Sierra Mike]

Sorry for this, pal. :(

SM

[mikeky]

Sorry Mike. :(

[Elspeth]

Aw, I am so sorry for your loss. I understand what you are going through. I had a shepard mix my entire life (my parents got her a year before I was born), we lost her when she was 16.

{{hugs}}

[Coot]

Wow, I'm very sorry Mike. Knowing you, you made the right decision and the hard decision. My condolences for your loss. :(

[SixofNine]

My condolences, Mike. I think you made the right, though very difficult decision, too.

[tke711]

I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend. :(

[ethics]

Damn man, I don't know what to say. I will say this, Mike, think of it this way. Scotch came in to this world and either you chose him or he chose you. You, my friend, gave him something that's rare these days, and for 19+ years you've provided food, shelter, and most of all LOVE. The way you wrote that had love seeping out of the post so much that any cat (or even human being) should envy.

I am sorry for his passing, but I am also elated that you provided so much for the Scotch, even an honorable, fast and painless passing, that there's nothing else a cat, a dog, or even a person would want more.

[Piobaireachd]

I am so sorry Mike. I know how you feel. I had to put down our cat a couple of years ago who was 21 years old.

Know this, you gave him a wonderful life filled with love. In the end, you did the only loving thing you could do by not letting him suffer.

I sincerely hope there is an afterlife where we will see all of our pets that we've lost over the years.

[cdw]

Aww. I'm so sorry. I don't know if it helps to know you aren't alone but you aren't alone. And it sucks.

[Biker]

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.

There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

[Violet1966]

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss Mike. :cry:

I know this feeling and it hurts. Bad. *HUGS*

[Copzilla]

Mike, I'm so sorry. I know that hurts. It's losing a family member.

[Domh]

Mike, sorry as hell to hear of your loss.

You gave Scotch 19 great years of love, play, warmth, shelter, food, water and companionship... more than most cats get by a long ways. You did the right thing putting him down and sparing him more suffering.

Most folks say that losing a pet is oftentimes more painful than losing a family member. Their love is unconditional and pure in a way we rarely if ever experience from family or friends.

God bless, man.

:(

[MemphisMark]

I'm really sorry, Shipmate. :cry:

[MNeedham73]

Thank you everyone. It's been a very difficult couple of days for me. Especially coming home from work and not having Scotch waiting for me in the window, not having him meowing at me when the alarm clock goes off in the morning, etc.

I received a condolence card from the vet's office today, with a personal note from the doctor that saw Scotch Monday morning:

"Dear Michael,

I am so sorry about Scotch. Please be comforted in knowing that you did what was best for him.

Sincerely,
Dr. Julie Keen"

It was very thoughtful of her, and reading it when I got home today helped a lot.

[jfcjrus]

{snip}Especially when you have to make the decision to end the pet's life.{/snip}
Yea, that's the toughest loss of all. :(
But, you did what you had to do pal, for Scotch's sake.

You two guys had a pretty good long run; reflect upon that and be thankful.
That won't ease the loss, but it helps in remembering the good times.

Regards,