I have to have my kitty put to sleep this afternoon.

[Hatchling]

I know this isn't really a feminist kind of thing, but you guys are kinda my support group.

I can't tell my two best friends and ask for their support right now, because one is going in for surgery tomorrow and the other is her moral support so I don't feel right burdening them with this right now.

I have two other cats but Moochie is my heart baby. He was a feral cat that I was feeding on my patio until one day he crawled into my lap, put his paws on my shoulders to hug me. My heart broke open at the moment to let him in forever.

He had been losing weight lately, but he is older and I thought it was just arthritis, but he started coughing up blood.

I am devastated.

[freshwest]

1. Sorry about the loss of your friend. Their love is honest and without strings. Take care.

[boston bean]

2. Oh Hatchling!

I am so very sorry for you and furry baby!

I am sure the kitty knows how much you loved him and was as appreciative of you as you were of him.

Please take care, and feel free to make posting where you need support in this group.

[GreenPartyVoter]

3. I am so, so very sorry! *hugs* Kittehs are so stoic, and rarely tell us outright when something is

wrong. I missed illnesses in both of my last cats that way.

I wish you both vibes of peace and comfort, and memories of a good life together that he might not otherwise had if not for you.

[LiberalEsto]

4. Oh, how painful!

Sending you many hugs...

[dballance]

5. So, so very sorry.

[Blue Owl]

6. Nothing worse

My sympathies -- but I bet you gave that kitty a good home on this planet...

[hrmjustin]

7. I have had to do this just make sure that...

...when they do it that you are facing the cats face and let your face be the last thing he sees. You will see your cat again my friend. God bless you and your cat. Good luck with your friend. Again so sorry for you.

[BlueIris]

8. Awww. Sorry to read this, Hatchling.

(((( Moochie ))))

[silverweb]

9. I'm so very sorry.

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]Over the years, I've been through the same heart-wrenching experience more than once and I know just how painful it is. My thoughts are with both you and Moochie.

[Scout]

10. very sorry to hear that

i know exactly how you feel. and it sucks.

[redqueen]

11. Oh, Hatchling, I'm so sorry.

You shared your heart and home with him, he's leaving this world loved. *hug* and *sniffle* too.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

12. just a month ago, we had the same decision with

the best, sweetest, most wonderful rescue puppy you ever saw. He joined us at 1 yr, and stood by us for 11 great years. He was huge, smart (he could unlock cages with his paw) and extremely warm to family.

One time, I was walking him with my golden(also deceased after 14 wonderful years). Both were off leash, because they simply stayed within 5 feet of me at all times. This HUGE pitbull, trained to fight, started snarling and escaped his fenced-in yard. My golden, (all 140 lbs of shivering, shaking, scared fear) immediately stood behind me to hide. you could smell his fear. My rescue dog simply walked up to the huge attack dog, tail raised, ears perky, and to my surprise and shock, he reared back and used his nose as a weapon against the pitbull, knocking him on his ass, backwards.

The pitbull yelped and ran off. I still miss him.

Time helps, and about 6 weeks from now, go to thine animal shelter and rescue a newbee.

[Voice for Peace]

13. so sorry Hatchling

[montanacowboy]

14. I feel so bad for you

it's a time we all face and it never gets easier - once we take them into our lives we have to be ready to make the hard decision to let them go. Good journey for your furry one.

[MadrasT]

15. Oh dear Hatchling

I am so terribly sorry. I lost one of my girls in January.

Even when you love them all, certain ones wiggle into your heart in an extra-special way. And ferals who decide to trust you are also extra-special somehow.

So very, very sorry to hear about Moochie.

[catbyte]

16. I'm SO SORRY, Hatchling

My beautiful 19-year-old gray barn rescue Sophie died in my arms at home last Tuesday night. She was OK in the morning, but was extremely sick when I got home from work. I picked her up and put her in my lap. She began to purr, looked into my eyes and died. I'm sure Moochie is so grateful for the wonderful life you were able to give him. He knows that you saved his life and you are doing the kindest thing you can do for him now--giving him a gentle, painless passing.

I'm sitting at my desk in my office in tears. Your two other kitties will probably need some extra loving too. I put Sophie on her favorite blanket and put her in a box for transport to our vet so they could arrange for cremation. I woke up the next morning and her best friend, Nigel, was sleeping on the box and my other 2 cats were sleeping on either side of the box. They were holding a vigil for their sister. It was astounding. I will get back Sophie's ashes along with a paw print tomorrow.

Please know that you and your two other kitties are in my thoughts. My Sophie will show Moochie the ropes at The Bridge. She'll know where all the good catnip patches are.



Diane
Anishinaabe in MI & mom to Leo, Taz & Nigel, members of Dogs Against Romney, Cat Division
"Dogs Aren’t Luggage Even Though They Are Lower Life Forms--HISS!”

[Mnemosyne]

18. So sorry about Sophie, catbyte.

[Mnemosyne]

17. So very sorry, Hatchling.

[sinkingfeeling]

19. So very sorry. Is there anything the vets can do? Do they think it's cancer?

[Worried senior]

20. I am so sorry for your loss,

especially after the way he came into your life. He must have had a great love and respect for you.

[spin]

21. I lost my best friend, a cat, 5 years ago ...

possibly due to contaminated cat food from China.

But four years ago I adopted a feral kitten. A neighbor's child brought this little fellow who could fit in the palm of my hand to my family for rescue. Her father had found this kitten in the engine compartment of his car and was planning to kill it.

He now weighs 13 pounds but is in excellent shape and not fat. He probably comes from a long line of feral cats as he is far more alert and wary of strange people than the average cat who is descended from a long line of domesticated cats. He will occasionally allow strangers to pet him but is very selective. He is however my best friend.

I should note that I have also owned and loved dogs, however I love the independence of cats. Often you don't own them as much as they own you. I can understand why they were worshiped in ancient Egypt.

My heart goes out to you. All I can say is that time is a great healer. It is sad that cats and dogs do not live as long as we do. I can assure you that you will always have fond memories of your pet and that eventually you may find a cat to replace him. Perhaps you will find that one of your other cats will step up and ease your suffering.

[DarthDem]

22. So Very Sorry to Hear

I'm not a member of the group but saw your post on the front page and wanted to pass on thoughts and prayers. I'm so sorry about the loss of your beloved friend.

[seabeyond]

23. I am sorry....

Another group member is going thru the same with her dog. It is a hard thing to go thru.... Lovin's to you

[glinda]

24. sorry hatchling.....

[Texasgal]

25. I am so sorry to hear this...

Moochie was loved and he knew it. Take some time to grieve, it's never easy.

[felix_numinous]

26. I wish kitties lived longer

[applegrove]

27. You gave each other a great life together. You'll be able to look back on him and smile some day

soon.

[MerryBlooms]

28. Oh Hatchling, I'm so sorry.

[SoutherDem]

29. I am so sorry.

I am in tears just thinking of what you are going through. The hardest thing I have had to do yet in life is to do what you are having to do.

You are in my thoughts.

[LiberalLoner]

30. I am so sorry. It hurts so much to lose one of these angels.

I know Moochie will be waiting for you on the other side, but it hurts so much to lose him right now.

You were a good kitty Mommy and you gave him the best life. Bonds of love can never be broken, and he will always be connected to you because of that.

[kestrel91316]

31. (hugs)

[virgogal]

32. I'm so sorry. Losing a beloved pet is brutal.

[OregonBlue]

33. So very sorry. I had to have my old cat of 14 years put down and I cried for days so I know what you

are going through. You have lost one of your best friends. At least he won't suffer any more and you gave him a good life.

[hlthe2b]

34. I'm sorry, Hatchling. I had to euthanize my beloved doggy girl, Tallulah on Tuesday.

I'm going to post a tribute thread to her somewhere with some wonderful photos, when I can finally collect my thoughts. It is still too painful and my thoughts too raw.

Perhaps you will do the same?

to you. I know of no magic words, but know that I understand. Truly.

[seabeyond]

35. i am sorry hlthe2b

she got lots of lovin.....

[hlthe2b]

38. thank you Sea...

[redqueen]

43. My goodness...

what a sad week.

Beautiful name, looking forward to the pics...

[MadrasT]

45. *sniff*

I am so sorry to hear about Tallulah, hlthe2b. (What a beautiful name.)

Losing pets is really hard.

[Hatchling]

46. Thank you.

Know that I understand as well.

[Little Star]

36. My heart goes out to you. I know just how you feel because..

our beloved Rudy had cancer and after ten years of having him as a member of our family we had to have him put down.

I will never get over having to do that. I stayed with him and it was heartbreaking. The way he looked at me just about killed me.

I'm truly sorry for your loss. It hurts so much.

[CrispyQ]

37. A big hug for you & Moochie.

I've lost many furry friends & it is never easy, but my life is so much richer having known them!

[eridani]

39. Hugs and condolences

It just sucks that our furbabies have shorter lifespans than we do. I know you'll stay with him until the end.

[laconicsax]

40. That's terrible. I'm so sorry. n/t

[Hatchling]

41. Thank you all for your kind support.

It was really hard because as a senior on a fixed income, I couldn't afford the $100 dollars to be with him at the end.

I took him to the San Diego County Animal Shelter where it was only $10. The minute I walked in I felt relief. All the staff was so supportive and the place was bright and airy not dingy and dirty as I had imagined. I saw how they were dealing with other animals, getting them their shots and microchips so I realized this was a caring place. When the staff member came to take him away she told me not to worry that she would stay with him the whole time.

[redqueen]

42. Aw Hatchling,

I'm sorry for that extra hardship. Angry too.

Glad to hear the staff there was up to scratch though.

[MadrasT]

44. *sniff*

If it was his time you did the right thing and the most loving thing you could for him.

I am sorry about the constrained finances. It sounds like a nice animal shelter with caring people.

It is so very hard and hurty, I know.

[Violet_Crumble]

47. *hugs* to both you and hlthe2b

I'm so sorry for the loss of Moochie and Tallulah...