We had to put Madeline, the older cat, to sleep today

[Bossy Monkey]

She hadn't been eating for the last week, so this morning I took her to the vet. He ran tests and found that she was in end-stage kidney disease, also diabetic and also most probably had heart disease. She also weighed less than 9 lbs whereas it had been more normally 13. He gave her insulin and anti-inflammatories and about everything else he could think of and I took her home. Alice came home early from work and spent time with her, but it was clear she was failing (staggering walk, inability to go more than a few steps without lying down again, etc.) She did eat a little of the Hill's prescription canned food the vet sent home with me, and seemed to enjoy it, but didn't get much down (and threw it up later in the car, but I get ahead of myself). So we decided that rather than see her suffer (ie starve) that we would go ahead and have her put to sleep today. We took her back to the vet and were happy to be able to spend more quality time with her. The vet gave her the first injection to put her into a deep sleep (we left the room for the actual shot) and Alice was able to cuddle Madeline and sing "Let's Stay Together" to her one last time. When she was asleep and feeling no pain at all, the vet gave her her second injection and we stayed until she slipped away. It was peaceful and somehow strangely life-affirming, because she knew how much she was loved up until the very end. Alice had Madeline for eight years (and Madeline was much older than we'd thought according to the vet; more like 13-15 rather than the "around ten" that we'd been thinking); eight delightful, fun, high-flying, too short years. We told her that she'd been a very good kitty and that next time she'd get to be human, so at the Well of Souls, aim for New York City so in your next life you can be a deli owner. And yes, I know I'm mixing two completely fictitious religious traditions, but right now I feel good about it.

That's all I can say or I'll start bawling again. Alice is having a very rough Monday, but knows we did the right thing. But it was so sudden.

[Midlodemocrat]

1. I'm very sorry.

Safe passage to her.


for you and Alice.

[Bossy Monkey]

4. Thanks. Hugs back at you n/t

[spoony]

2. Big hugs

That was a really touching description, especially "Let's Stay Together", really made me tear up. No matter when it happens parting is always too soon. You and Alice will be in my thoughts

[Bossy Monkey]

5. Thanks. Back in the day, Madeline would sing along.

Ok, she meowed a lot and sort of danced around, but it was still sweet and cute. back to you, too.

[ceile]

3. RIP Madeline

[Bossy Monkey]

6. Hugs back to you, three :) n/t

[Sanity Claws]

7. Sleep well, Madeline

I also believe in reincarnation. I don't know about her coming back as a deli owner but she may come back as another kitty for you.

[Bossy Monkey]

16. Well we were thinking of making like the lamas of old,

searching near and far for a cat born on 9/22/08...

[Ikonoklast]

8. Peace to you, undisclosedlocation

You gave your Madeline a good life.

[Bossy Monkey]

17. Thanks, and hugs back at you.

It was a good life.

Edit: it didn't make sense without the italics.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

9. Good kitty Madeline RIP

Comforting vibes to you both

[Bossy Monkey]

18. Thanks so much. She was a great one. n/t

[bertha katzenengel]

10. I am so, so sorry.

bless you and Alice

I am so sorry for your loss

[Bossy Monkey]

19. Thanks for your kind sympathy n/t

[alstephenson]

11. I'm so sorry for your loss of Madeline.

My older kitty is about 14 years old now. I'll be devastated when we have to say good-bye.

[Bossy Monkey]

20. Thanks very much. Hope your kitty's long run runs a lot longer still n/t

[stuntcat]

12. ((Madeline & Alice))

Madeline's had a perfect life. Soon you have to remember just the good parts, not the sad part.

[Bossy Monkey]

21. We've been reminiscing about the good parts all day

and digging up old pictures. Of course that makes the sadness more bitter still in the short term, but soon I know the bitter will be behind us. Thanks so much.

[foxfeet]

13. I'm very sorry for your loss of Madeline.

I've been there and it's hell even when you know it's the right thing to do. I wish you and Alice peace and healing.

[Bossy Monkey]

22. Thanks so much, and welcome to DU! n/t

[applegrove]

14. So sorry.

[Bossy Monkey]

23. Thanks. n/t

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

15. RIP, Madeline.

I hope she does come back as a deli owner in New York. And if she does, I think you'll know about it, somehow.

[Bossy Monkey]

24. Either that, or she'll drive the Boar's Head truck

Thanks, and right back at you.

[emilyg]

25. Love to you

safe journey for Madeline.

[Bossy Monkey]

26. Thanks. The same to you n/t

[Bossy Monkey]

27. Alice says, "Thanks everybody!"

all around