so I've got an appointment on Monday to put my cat down.

[MrsBrady]

It's time.
She's 18 with hyperthyroidism.
I've been giving her the medicine, but she's puking a lot...that can't be fun for her. I'd be tired if I was puking that much....
and she's not going to get any better with the medicine anyway...they told me maybe a year or two...
plus she sleeping in weird places...not like her...and she's having accidents outside her box, which is not like her.
She will eat, but I have to sit with her and remind her it's there. She's acting a little weird. I just don't think she's feeling very good.

She is the best cat ever. Sweet, never mean, will head butt you for a petting. Any human hand will do for an ear scratch.
The red dot, by the way, is beneath her..."you want me to chase that?
What kind of fool do you think I am human. Stop wasting my time and pet me."

well...I'm not going to sit around and watch her suffer and not really get better. I'm not going to wait till she's so bad off
that I will feel guilty that I waited too long.

So last night I bought her some premium cat food and some cat treats.

I'll have my dog and other two cats to keep me company. I'm a little concerned for the black and white cat, as they are buds.
Hoping she'll be able to adjust to not having her "mommy" around.

recently at the vet's office
[URL=.html][IMG][/IMG][/URL]

Here's here a few years ago, before she was thin and sick. such a pretty, sweet girl.
[URL=.html][IMG][/IMG][/URL]

here she is on a cold morning two years ago
[URL=.html][IMG][/IMG][/URL]

this one is one of my favorites...the three of them usually didn't sit together as the tabby is a big freaking pest. here miss kitty is telling the tabby what for.
"knock it off, kid"
[URL=.html][IMG][/IMG][/URL]

[Goalie49009]

1. I am very sorry to hear that

but you are right about the misery part not only would it be for her, but you as well. Be strong and prayers are with you and the beautiful kitteh.

[MrsBrady]

8. thank you

that's a cool pic

[Aristus]

2. Oh sweetie...

I'm sorry...

I love the pics of the others around her. They look like they are comforting her.

[MrsBrady]

9. that was way before she was sick...

it was cold that morning...I think they all wanted the warm spot in the bed...lol

I will miss her, but it's time.

I'm feeling better having made the decision.
Knowing she won't be suffering anymore is the main thing.

Thanks

[avebury]

3. I am sorry that you will be losing such a good companion.

It is really hard to determine when to let them go. My cat is 18-19 years old and I know that her time is growing short but she doesn't seem like she is ready to go yet. We are taking things day by day and if I think that she is starting to be in pain or her quality of life is declining then I know the time will come to let her go.

[MrsBrady]

10. thank you for your comments

she has been a good friend.

[CurtEastPoint]

4. My thoughts are with you.

Having had to do that more than once, it still hurts to lose one of our beloved.

[MrsBrady]

11. thank you for your good thoughts

[Grateful for Hope]

5. I know how hard this is

and I am so sorry that you are going through this.

[MrsBrady]

12. thank you

yes, it sucks....
but she won't be suffering anymore

[Grateful for Hope]

17. BTW

I think they might look over us.

Just a thought

[Scuba]

6. Hugs.

[MrsBrady]

13. thank you

hugs back to you

[dixiegrrrrl]

7. I am so sorry...

it is such a tuff decision, with so many conflicting feelings.

[MrsBrady]

15. yes...

but really one can't let their friend suffer.
but I will miss her.
She talks a lot....has conversations with me. That will be missed.
She used to meet me at the door when she was feeling herself...

me: Hi Miss Kitty (me entering the door)
her: wraaar
me: how are you?
her: wraaar wraaar wraaar
me: well give me a minute to put my stuff down and I'll get your food.
her: wraaar wraaar wraaar....(walk under feet)....wraaar wraaar wraaar (stand by food bowl) wraaar wraaar wraaar

She trained me well.

[Phentex]

14. Awww, I'm sorry...

I love the pictures. Especially the one with the dog.

Hugs!!!

[MrsBrady]

16. thanks.

i'm going to have to get used to telling people I have 2 cats instead of 3.
i'll miss her.

thanks

[politicat]

18. I'm so sorry to hear that.

Your Miss Kitty looks just like ours (who will be 22 in April). I thought we would be making that same decision about two months ago, when she protested getting sub-cutaneous fluids with biting. (She has some renal failure and the normal geriatric feline hyper plus a level of feline Fox Derangement Syndrome.) we stopped fluids, dropped most of her meds (we kept cosequin because she likes the flavor, so will eat more) and determined to love her until she told us it was time.

We've got a Timex, not a cat, apparently. She's put on a couple ounces (4.5 pounds to 4 pounds, 11 ounces) and is mentally doing okay. So, clearly not time yet.


It's such a hard decision, but your girl knows she is loved.

[MrsBrady]

20. thank you

[OrwellwasRight]

19. So sorry to hear this.

I had to put down my 20 year old baby in July. She had had hyperthyroidism, with many of the problems you cite (puking, litter accidents) for several years. Then she got hit by cancer, and she really lost her ability to walk and balance well. I could not watch it any more.

Glad you have other little friends to keep you from getting lonely. So long as you are doing is what you think is right for her, you should feel comfortable with the decision even though it is heartbreaking.

Here is my baby -- pre and post weight loss.
<a href="http://imgur.com/mYb2KU5"><img src="" title="Hosted by imgur.com"/></a>

<a href="http://imgur.com/DX6YZpl"><img src="" title="Hosted by imgur.com"/></a>

[MrsBrady]

21. yes...

I actually feel a little better now that I've finally MADE the decision.
No one likes doing this, but I'm not going to let my friend suffer.
Making the call to the vet was the hard part.

[mcar]

22. So sorry

I just took our 14 yo cat on her final ride last Monday. It was so hard but so the right thing. It sounds like you know this is best for your dear. Peace to both of you.

[MrsBrady]

23. thank you for understanding

[GreenPartyVoter]

24. I'm so sorry. It's hard to lose a furbaby. *hugs*

[MrsBrady]

25. thank you

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

26. I'm sorry...

Last time I had to do that I cried all night while Teddy slept next to me on my pillow. I think he sort of knew and was OK with it - he had cancer of the jaw and couldn't really eat properly any more - he wasn't enjoying life. He was ready to go, I think, even though I wasn't ready to lose him.

It's really, really hard, but I knew he wasn't going to suffer any more.

It will be OK.

Poem For Cats

And God asked the feline spirit
Are you ready to come home?
Oh, yes, quite so, replied the precious soul
And, as a cat, you know I am most able
To decide anything for myself.

Are you coming then? asked God.
Soon, replied the whiskered angel
But I must come slowly
For my human friends are troubled
For you see, they need me, quite certainly.

But don't they understand? asked God
That you'll never leave them?
That your souls are intertwined. For all eternity?
That nothing is created or destroyed?
It just is....forever and ever and ever.

Eventually they will understand,
Replied the glorious cat
For I will whisper into their hearts
That I am always with them
I just am....forever and ever and ever.

Author Unknown

[life long demo]

27. So sad. But you are a good mom to them all

Her name is Miss Kitty? That's my cat's name also. I named my cat after Miss Kitty from the old Gunsmoke series.

Anyway. It probably is best for her, but it certainly isn't for you. There is no easy way. Sorry. DU is here when you need us.

[Bertha Venation]

28. Mrs. Brady, I am so very sorry.

[murielm99]

29. Please be assured that you are doing the right thing.

We made the decision for our sixteen year old cat, then backed out. That was my fault, not my husband's. Then, she got worse. He made another appointment. This time, they scheduled for the same day, so we could not back out. It was the right thing.

We still miss her, but she was sick.

My condolences. It is hard. But you are being responsible. It is okay.

[hrmjustin]

30. I have had to do this several times so my heart goes out to you and your beloved cat.

Just remember when they do it that you are facing your cat and that you are the last thing she sees in this world.

I have 5 cats so I am brokenhearted for you.

You are all in my prayers.



Cross over well and rest kitty!

[onestepforward]

31. I'm so sorry.

I had to do the same with my 18 year old a few days ago. There was some comfort in knowing that he would not suffer anymore.

[HarveyDarkey]

32. One of the hardest, but most loving and thoughtful things you must do

I let a canine companion linger too long I'm afraid, and I've never forgiven myself for it. At least you've admitted the time is right. I'm assuming you'll be there and holding her when it happens. It's sad but it speeds the healing.

[MrsBrady]

33. ***update***

I am sorry I am just now updating this, but yesterday was a really long day, to say the least.

Thank you for everyone that responded...and I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to answer all of you individually.

She passed peacefully as I scritched her ear and thanked her for being my friend.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

34. wishing her an easy crossing over the rainbow bridge and peace to you, MrsBrady

[MrMickeysMom]

35. MrsBrady... I take these things personally...

There's a beautiful baby there... You want to make the right decision. There is none... Your heart is simply re-arranged out of your chest.

Comfort to you in this decision.... That, and hugs...

[a la izquierda]

36. I know your pain.

Godspeed

[magical thyme]

37. you gave her a life full of love

and a peaceful, gentle and loved passing. She could not ask for more.

In the horse world we have 2 sayings. One is better a week too soon than a day too late. The other is that the greatest love we can show is to take on the suffering so our sick or injured friend won't have to suffer any more.

You showed your kitty the greatest love. Peace to you and your furfamily.

[davidpdx]

38. Loosing a pet is hard

I'm sorry to hear your cat's health has become so bad that there are no other options. You are doing the right and humane thing not making the cat suffer.

We have two cats and before we got the first one my wife (who is Korean) really didn't want to have one. After we got the cat, well she ended up loving him and she spoils him. He's only 7, but I know when the time comes it will hit her hard.

[TuxedoKat]

39. So sorry

it is so hard to lose a beloved pet. She was a beautiful cat. (((HUGS)))

[Arugula Latte]

40. I'm so sorry.

I've lost two elderly kitties in the past year and it hurts so much. She is gorgeous and it looks like she had a great life.

[mike_c]

41. she looked just like my 14 year old matriarch does....

Sigh. It's so damned hard to let them go when it's time. I'm sorry for your loss, and hope that you've made some peace with it.