Yesterday was a hard day for me, I had to put our kitty (Pirate Morgan Moon Scar) down she was 18 that’s 88 in cat years. Two weeks ago hubby and I woke up and noticed between her eyes there was a large protrusion that came on over night and she was sneezing. Because of the running nose and sneezing I figured she had a sinus infection. We took her to the vet and he said he thought it was a cancerous tumor but the only way to be sure was to sedate her and do an xray. Well at 18 years old sedation is risky so we decided to have an antibiotic prescribed and hope it was just an infection.
No such luck….by Christmas day she was no longer eating or drinking, she went from a 15 pound cat down to 6 pounds, and I assume going blind due to the tumor. She no longer had any equilibrium and her eyes went from pretty green to dark black. I was carrying her to her litter box and just holding her all the time waiting for Friday morning to arrive so I could take it all away.
What a horrible thing to take an animals life, I never know if it’s the right decision. I did feel a little better when the vet looked at her and told me I was making the right decision, but it’s still so hard to do. I don’t feel I have the right to take a life. I prayed she would just fall asleep and not wake up, but that didn’t happen. So now we are down to just our dog,
It was hard cleaning out all the cats things so I bussied myself with work for the rest of the day. I mopped and waxed the floors, cleaned the microwave, did laundry, and just had a feeling of doom all day. I know things will get better with time, but it’s still hard.
Thanks for listening everyone you are a great group of blogging friends.
Dawn, I sent you a private email about your beloved kitty. I am so very sorry. I have felt the same way when I’ve had to make that kind of decision. It seems wrong somehow, but really, it’s the most humane and loving thing you could do for your pet. She was in pain and you helped her make her transition to a place where she can run and play again.
Sending you a big hug and lots of love. I hope you can find comfort in the memories of the many years you’ve had with her and the joy she brought to your life. She knew she was loved, my friend.
xoxo
Claudia, thank you so much for the message 🙂 I know it was the right thing to do, and I didn’t want the rest of the family to experience it any longer. I will get on….with time.
Hi Dawn, this is the first time for me on your website, and reading this takes me back to when I made the same decision for my dog. It was painful, it’s always painful even to remember it, and it was 5 years ago, but it’s love that makes us decide to put an end to suffering. You’ve been brave. She’s now resting. A big hug.
Augusta, welcome to the Cabin!! Thank you so much for stopping in. I’m sad that your first visit was on this subject, please come back and read some happier posts.
It is always a difficult decision to end a furry family members life, but our belief is that we can’t let them suffer in silence. Your kitty will live on in your hearts forever. Take care.
Thank you Linda and you are right there is no reason to let them suffer.
My heart goes out to you. I felt the same way when we had to put down our 18 year old Pepper. She was so special but to see her go from healthy to deathly ill and lose so much weight was heart wrenching. I slowly made peace with our decision but will always miss her and love our sweet kitty.
Carol, I know I did the right thing and would hate for her to suffer any longer. Thank you so much for the kind words.
Oh Dawn, my heart goes out to you! I, too, would make the same decision that you did. One of my cats is getting older and I dread the day that I will have to face this. I know there is a big hole in your heart right now so I’m sending you lots of hugs. Stay busy, girl!
Jane, thank you for the hugs. The worst part of pet owning is the day you put them down. I will get through it, it just takes time.
My heart goes out to you over the loss of your sweet kitty. It is such a heart wrenching decision to choose to let them go, but when there is no cure and they are suffering, I try to look at it as a gift. They trusted us all of there lives
and look to us for help. We lost our cat a week ago to cancer also, very suddenly like yours. He was seventeen. Taking away his toys, dish, bed, etc. was very hard. But he had a good, long life. Praying for you! Jane
Jane, Thank you for the prayers. It sounds like we both had a very old kitty and for them to live that long you know they had a good life.
Ohhhh Dawn so sorry about your kitty. It is hard when you have to make that decision with a loved pet. You did the right thing to not have her suffer. Hugs to you.
Kris
Kris, thank you and yes she was suffering I think the last day. I am glad I didn’t let her suffer through the weekend.
So sorry for your loss. Bless you for the loving home you provided, and keep the happy memories close to your heart.
Ellie, Thank you what a sweet comment. I will remember it.
I’m so sorry Dawn. What you did was an act of love. Your precious Kitty is now at rest.
Karen, you are right it’s just hard to be the decision maker.
I have been in your shoes, Dawn, and felt the same way. I am so sorry for your loss of a beloved family member. Hugs from Barb
Thank you Barb, it means so much that everyone is so kind and sending love this way 🙂
I feel you pain. We lost two dogs in two months and I still haven’t gotten over it.
Ann, I’m not sure we ever get over it we just have to move on.
:'(
I know Bev, very sad….especially over Christmas.
Dawn – so sorry you had to put down your precious cat. I have had to do that in the past and it is not fun, but watching them suffer is even harder. Sending a cyber hug your way today as you morn your furry family member.
Cheryl, Thank you for the hugs:) I am in need for sure.
That decision is so hard. We had to put our cat to sleep a year ago. She had lost a ton of weight. She was getting sick everywhere. It’s so hard loosing a pet. They are so loyal. Many hugs.
Debby, One of my first clues should have been the weight loss I guess, but I just thought it was age. Apparently much more was happening with her. Thank you for the hugs
She was a beautiful cat I had one just like her. It is heartbreaking to lose a beloved pet some people don’t understand I have always said if you don’t have room in your heart to love a animal then you are just not a good human being. We have a beautiful long hair white cat with one green eye and one brown eye he is our boss. lol God Bless you and time will heal.
Gloria, I bet your kitty is beautiful. Do you know why the two colored eyes?
I am so sorry for your loss. I have been there and it is not fun. It broke my heart to read your story. I love animals they are like family and so hard to give up. But, you did the right thing, you don’t want to see them suffer. I pray that God will ease your pain and loss. God Bless you and your husband. She will always be in your heart. “RIP PIRATE MORGAN MOON SCAR”.
Terri, no its not fun at all. Thank you so much for the prayers, it was a little easier today, even though I look for her around every corner.
My condolences on the loss of your kitty. I feel for you as we had to put down our beloved 15 year old Sammi at Easter. The holidays were difficult since he was always knocking a couple of ornaments off the tree. TOday would have been his birthday actually the day that we got him. Sadly his best friend and partner and crime – 18 year old Salem the cat – still manages to wake up every morning although he is quite blind and meows mournfully from the pain. He too will only be a matter of time. Thinking of you – hugs.
My dog’s name is Salem…what a coincidence. The vet told me an 18 years old cat is quite unheard of, must be most don’t make it that long. It seems our animals always pass on a holiday. Our dog Caesar on Thanksgiving, our dog Tara on my Hubby’s birthday, and now the cat on Christmas. Not a great way to remember holidays.
Putting down an animal is one of the hardest decisions we ever make. I know you did the right thing.
Thank you Carol, I know she is in a better place now.
Prayers for healing winging your way. I have had the experience of both having to make the decision and having it taken from my hand. The later, while still heartbreaking, is far easier. No matter how “right” the decision is, you ALWAYS have doubts. Time will make it easier, but you will always care a part of P.M.M.S in your heart.
Lora, you’re right there is always doubts but she was in bad shape and I hated to see her suffer. Thank you for the kind comment 🙂
Dawn, You have my heartfelt prayers for peace in this time of loss. Our pets are our family! Please know that you made the right decision. I never thought I could do it, and had lost pets to natural death until a few years ago. We had a kitty with a terminal lung tumor. She was able to have a good life for probably 3+ years after the diagnosis before the breathing became very labored and her energy level dropped. Eventually my husband and I decided that we should have the vet end her life peacefully rather than have her continue to suffer. Through the tears I held her and you know what? I realized this was the best choice for her; she would not have to suffer continued and worsening difficulty breathing. It is not an easy decision but it is the best one for the animal. We have had to do this one more time, with one of our dogs. We have a house call vet and having her come to our house for the procedure, we feel, make it easier on the beloved pet. Your kitty is in a good place now and can be happy that she had such a good life with you. God bless you.
Michele, I take comfort in your post. It was a terrible day but I know it’s what had to be done. Thank you 🙂
Oh, Dawn, I am so sorry about your kitty. That’s the worst part of having an animal that you love so much. I feel your pain.
You’re right it is the worst part and I always think of it when we get a new pet….someday we will have to repeat this all again.
Dear Dawn, I just wanted to extend my deepest condolences on the passing of your kitty. Thinking of you and praying for comfort. All the best, Jessie
Jessie thank you so much for the prayers.
I went through this also Dawn..with my kitty Chip who had breast cancer..it was so so hard to stand there holding her while it was done..we were crying like babies but we knew we had to do what was best for her..Your little girl was very loved and I believe that watching her suffer would have been even harder..Bless your sweet heart and your little Pirate’s too..Hugs..
Nancy I believe it’s one of the hardest things I’ve done and I did it alone. Hubby was working and I didn’t feel it right to make the kids endure it, so it was hard for me.
So sorry, Dawn. That had to be a very difficult thing to do. I know you gave her a wonderful life and I’m sure she gave you just as much in return.
Thank you JoAnne it was better last night. Im sure every day will get easier.
Through my heavy heart and lot s of tears streaming down I send lots of hugs and prayers to you and your family. We have been in your shoes and will be again, we have a very beloved Maggie the cat, she’s about 25 years old and I know she won’t live forever. It never gets easier the more you do it. HUGS, Barbi
Barbi, thank you so much for the kind words. Wow a 25 year old cat, I thought 18 was old. No it never gets any easier, this is our 3rd animal we’ve put down and it’s terrible every time.
It is one of the hardest thing a pet-lover has to do. I am sorry for your loss…but as a cat person, a kitten (or cat) who needs you will find you when the time is right.
Bobbye, thank you for the sweet comment. We still have a dog so that’s enough for now 🙂
Wonderfull community of bloggers and readers. Love your kitty’s name, arrr me matey! Our pets are like family, they bring us comfort and joy. Hugs to your family going through this sad time, Kathleen in Az
Kathleen, Thank you so much for the comforting words. Yes they truly are family and are very missed.
Dawn, I know just how you feel. My last cat was 17 years old and the day I took her to the vet she didn’t even move the whole way there. I had waited too long, I should have done it sooner. She was suffering and although I knew that but and I didn’t want to let her go but it’s not about us, it’s about doing the right and humane thing. I wish they could live forever. I know I will give another kitty probably a stray or from the pound a home soon and someday shed these tears again but I want to save another one. All the kitty’s I have ever had just somehow showed up at my house and we took them in. The two little dogs we have now we rescued from abusive situations. I feel for you!
Deena, thank you so much for the kind words. You are a blessing to take in rescue animals and give them a good home. We still have a dog, and that’s plenty right now.
Dawn, I am so sorry for your loss of your precious kitty. I have a seven year old cat and I understand how our pets become such important family members. We had to make the terrible choice to euthanize our dog almost two years ago. It was the hardest thing I had ever done. A close friend said something that brought me some comfort. She said that our faithful pets gave us unconditional love no matter what all the years that we have them and it is our responsibility to make the unselfish decision to ease their suffering as a last gift to them for all they have given us. My heart broke when I read your post. My thoughts are with you.
Nancy, thank you so much for the well wishes. I have good and bad days at this point and I know they will get better with time. It was the right decision I know 🙁