There are many cat lovers on this forum who will understand exactly what you're going through Simone. I'm another.
If you're as sure as you can be that your friend is not uncomfortable, then you should spoil and love her as much as you can. If she's a cuddler then 'waste' hours giving her cuddles - you'll never regret it. Take lots of photos. It costs nothing these days and you might just take the one you'll want to use as a screensaver or desktop photo on your phone / tablet / computer forever.
We have had several cats but 2 of them were diagnosed with serious illnesses (cancer). Both times the vet suggested we might have just a few weeks at best.
Bertie was finally put to sleep 2 years after his first diagnosis. He lost a lot of weight at the end but was otherwise happy and (as far as we could tell) pain free until the dreadful day arrived. A massive deterioration in the space of a few hours and it was a very quick and obvious decision to make.
We had 6 months with Harry. For most of that he was happy and became ever more affectionate and cuddly. I cancelled holidays to stay with him. The last couple of weeks were very difficult as we could see the end was nigh. The final decision was less clear cut than with Bertie but it was still pretty obvious when the struggle was becoming too much.
Deciding the hour and date of your companion's death is the most difficult 'job' a pet owner is forced to undertake.
I hope you are able to enjoy at least a few more weeks with your furry friend. She is a very beautiful cat. x
Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
Thank you all very much for sharing your thoughts and your pets. ❤️❤️❤️
Indeed @BenCotto, we might not like certain things happening in our garden but at the end, we only share this planet with all on it.
Foxes have damaged several plants this year, because I have 5 drinking bowls for all sizes of creatures and it might be that a cat is at the same time in the garden as a fox.
So far, good news and her final day will not be today. If you see her playing than you would never think that her time has come.
This morning she made her first poo inside on her bathroom towel, which I put into a plastic bag for the vet. She eats now proper cat food, prawns all the can be also boring.
I might be wrong but it might be that her real problem are hairballs in her tummy.
I had already layed out a piece of lawn in October after I noticed that she was looking for grass.
Let’s keep the fingers crossed that we do it right.
Indeed, the pet’s health comes first and we would never allow that she suffers. We took videos for the vet and I’m sure that she will be happy to see how she is at home.
There are many cat lovers on this forum who will understand exactly what you're going through Simone. I'm another.
I don't think it is just cat lovers who feel bereft when losing a pet. You take an animal/bird/reptile or WHY into your life. You are responsible for it's wellbeing and it repays you many times over with .companionship. interest, amusement and general enjoyment. I still miss my parrot's company and antics - with me for 40 years.
Back from the vet, she was extremely happy to see our cat who had made a u-turn to the better. Well hydrated, put 200gr weight on, was happy about the poo sample, and we even narrowed down the eventual reason for the decline. Our neighbour to the right has made a new fence in October and because he hates cats, he closed everything not leaving a tiny gap. That means that our cat wasn’t able to eat her grass. My replacement from the neighbour to the left doesn’t seem to have the same taste. I will work on this.
Next appointment is in the middle of January.
That means I can fill the hole tomorrow again.
Phew, that was close. Who had thought that last week.
She is a little fighter like her namesake: Charlie Chaplin 😊
I have trodden the same path many times over the years and have found this poem very comforting.
The Last Battle
If it should be
that I grow frail and weak, and pain should keep me from my sleep, Then will you do what
must be done, for this -- the last battle -- can't be won. You will be sad I
understand, but don't let grief then stay your hand, For on this day, more
than the rest, your love and friendship must stand the test. We have had so many
happy years, you wouldn't want me to suffer so. When the time comes,
please, let me go.
Take me to where to
my needs they'll tend, only, stay with me till the end And hold me firm and
speak to me, until my eyes no longer see. I know in time you
will agree, it is a kindness you do to me. Although my tail its
last has waved, from pain and suffering I have been saved. Don't grieve that it
must be you, who has to decide this thing to do; We've been so close --
we two -- these years, don't let your heart hold any tears.
'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
Thank you all so much. Our cat is definitely over the worst and is once more a happy cat who uses to our joy her bathroom towel 😀 Unbelievable, it were the hairballs and it took us so long to understand.
Posts
If you're as sure as you can be that your friend is not uncomfortable, then you should spoil and love her as much as you can. If she's a cuddler then 'waste' hours giving her cuddles - you'll never regret it. Take lots of photos. It costs nothing these days and you might just take the one you'll want to use as a screensaver or desktop photo on your phone / tablet / computer forever.
We have had several cats but 2 of them were diagnosed with serious illnesses (cancer). Both times the vet suggested we might have just a few weeks at best.
Bertie was finally put to sleep 2 years after his first diagnosis. He lost a lot of weight at the end but was otherwise happy and (as far as we could tell) pain free until the dreadful day arrived. A massive deterioration in the space of a few hours and it was a very quick and obvious decision to make.
We had 6 months with Harry. For most of that he was happy and became ever more affectionate and cuddly. I cancelled holidays to stay with him. The last couple of weeks were very difficult as we could see the end was nigh. The final decision was less clear cut than with Bertie but it was still pretty obvious when the struggle was becoming too much.
Deciding the hour and date of your companion's death is the most difficult 'job' a pet owner is forced to undertake.
I hope you are able to enjoy at least a few more weeks with your furry friend. She is a very beautiful cat. x
I ♥ my garden.
Over the years I've lost 2 cats, 6 dogs and 5 horses, mostly old age, twice cancer. It's heartbreaking every time.
I still miss my parrot's company and antics - with me for 40 years.
I ♥ my garden.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
The Last Battle
If it should be that I grow frail and weak, and pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done, for this -- the last battle -- can't be won.
You will be sad I understand, but don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest, your love and friendship must stand the test.
We have had so many happy years, you wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.
Take me to where to my needs they'll tend, only, stay with me till the end
And hold me firm and speak to me, until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree, it is a kindness you do to me.
Although my tail its last has waved, from pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don't grieve that it must be you, who has to decide this thing to do;
We've been so close -- we two -- these years, don't let your heart hold any tears.
Unbelievable, it were the hairballs and it took us so long to understand.
I ♥ my garden.