For kittentummy:

[priceyfatprude]

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

[Audreyvgs]

Thanks for that one too, PFP. Momma Kitty's eatin one bite of food an hour now, skinny as hell! She's taken off tonight, I don't know where she is, but damn! she's gettin tiny. I've calculated that she is somewhere in the range of 16+ years old. She spent most of her life outdoors, but now is just content to be lookin at me, altho she does get walked over by the dogs. Her time is right around the corner, I fear.

[priceyfatprude]

I thought you had her in a box, inside?

[Avalon]

I love the poem Rainbow Bridge; I have it framed and hanging in my office. I also have this framed:

My Precious Friend.

I love you with all of my heart
each day you greet me with such affection
and unconditional love
I will never betray your trust.
You will always have my best care and attention

Some say that you do not have a soul,
but when I look into your big beautiful eyes,
I know,in my heart, that God has prepared a special place
for you.

d.morgan


Aud..
my oldest cat is 17 and getting frail. I hand raised him and 3 siblings after they were thrown away in a shoe box He is the last of his litter now, the others having lived long with us and having passed. I never get used to them leaving and I never will.

[catbelly]

AAAAAHHHHHHH you guys. Thanks PFP

I just talked to one of the docs at the clinic ... I suspect him of trying to screw me for more money ... Maurice has feline leukemia, he's in bad shape (anemia, heart murmur, not eating, seizures). Doc#1 advised me, very sincerely and compassionately, that further treatment was possible, but, in the end, just a prolonging of his life when the quality of his life may not be good. Doc#2, whom I just spoke to, is giving me the guilt trip "if it were MY cat," etc. and trying to get me to put him on antibiotics again (not for the cancer, for related possible bacterial infections), and suggesting medication to prolong his life.

I feel really pissed but also ... having a hint of doubt about the decision to euthanize him. In my heart I feel it's right but this doctor has put the niggling doubt in my mind.... part of me is screaming, "manipulative money-grubbing bastard!!" but the other part, the part that is having a hard time being in charge of another being's life/death ... that part is second-guessing. Well. I know what I will do, but I am now 99% rather than 100% and I feel really bitter at that damn man. If he tries to guilt trip me again when I bring Maurice in I will not be responsible for the state of his balls when I leave.

Anyone have any stories / thoughts?

[Avalon]

have gone through too many times. My husband is terrible at letting go and will do almost anything to save one of ours.
But I am the one who ultimately does the nursing care and the crying.
I now look at each situation like this: Am I prolonging a life, or prolonging a death. If there is truly no quality of life..then I am keeping them here for me. Letting them go is the one thing left that I can do for them.
I never feel any better about doing it except for the fact that I am satified that my "baby" isn't suffering anymore, no matter how much I hurt.
I didn't have this choice with my cat that died last week. He was an outside cat (his choice, a resident stray)..and when he became ill, he hid. When I found him, he was already gone. I have such guilt about this Had I been able to get him, I would have had him evaluated and I would have had him euthanized and he would not have passed on alone.
I am not sure if any of this will help you at all...it is never easy.
If you need any support, please do not hesitate to call on me.

[Coffee]

Originally posted by catbelly

Anyone have any stories / thoughts?

wear sharp shoes...what an a$$Hole.

Mr Vet...you seem to be dieing fast from an incurable and painfull crotch kickin...but lets charge you to fix your athletes foot problem before you go.

--------------------------------

You know your cat, Belly.
Whatever you decide for M will be right.

*hug*4 Belly

I went through something similar…

Go with your heart. If you’re heart says that death is inexorable and continued treatment will only prolong your cat’s suffering, then do what you’ve gotta do. If you think there’s still hope, do what you’ve gotta do.

Sorry you’re going through all this.

[Willow Sylph]

Am I prolonging a life, or prolonging a death.

Avalon - an excellent question.

catbelly - I really sympathize with you in your situation. It's such a hardest decision to make. Who wants to put their wonderful fur-kid to sleep? But who wants to watch their fur-kid suffer? Of course your vet knows more about animal illnesses than you do, but you see what's going on with your cat every day - not the vet. Only you can make the call.

I don't know if this helps at all, but I had two ferrets for about 8 and 9 years. One of them was a year older than the other. The older one, Hannah was really in bad shape at the end of her life, but I couldn't bare to have her put down. I just took care of her as best I could with her vets recommendations, thinking that would be better than just having her put down. Eventually she just died on her own. In retrospect, I felt really bad about it because I KNEW that she was not enjoying her life anymore - she couldn't hop around and play anymore or much of anything frisky that she used to do. So when my younger ferret made a significant decrease in health, I decided I wasn't going to watch her be miserable for the next few months just so that she would still be alive. I had her put down and although it was really a horrible feeling to have to do it, I felt so much better for her that she didn't have to live out her last few months just laying around, not feeling well and not being able to be frisky anymore. Anyways, that's my story. No recommendation to you either way - you just have to do what you feel is the best thing for your fur-kid.

[funkytuba]

Originally posted by Willow Sylph
[...] So when my younger ferret made a significant decrease in health, I decided I wasn't going to watch her be miserable for the next few months just so that she would still be alive. I had her put down and although it was really a horrible feeling to have to do it, I felt so much better for her that she didn't have to live out her last few months just laying around, not feeling well and not being able to be frisky anymore.

We adopted four rescued ferrets. All had ear tatoos that indicated Marshall Farms. Three of them developed adrenal disease.

As they got older, one by one their conditions deteriorated. After 3 surgeries on two of them, without seeing good results, we decided to switch to hospice mode. Honestly it was a relief when the final one passed last year.

Quality of life must be factored into the equation, as must cost... those surgeries were nearly $1500 each -- a consideration that we did take into account.

I doubt this makes any decision any easier, but once you've considered all the factors, you can decide with confidence and not look back.

[catbelly]

thanks you guys, thanks thanks thanks

Well the dude called me back with the conclusive test results. Positive for feline leukemia ... "and, is there anything further I can do for you at this time?" ... gah, maybe you could give yourself a swift kick in the ass??

I think I will take the advice of my co-worker and take him somewhere else, like the SPCA, where they are not invested in pushing further treatments.

[Wldchld]

We lost our 1st rescue kitty about 2 yrs ago. She had feline aids, she attacked a snake that had been up against our house. Rushed her to the vet & she had been bitten 2 times. She would have survived but having feline aids she wasn't recovering very well, so we had to put her to sleep. I still feel like I owe her one. We still have one feline aids cat inside, I was told by one vet that I should have him put down imediately. Made a choice to go against that vet & not, & he is still alive and healthy 5 yrs later. I just knew w/ Mama Kitty (we called her that too) that nothing was going to help, I hate that feeling that you have to decide if they live or not, but I am glad she had a better life for a couple of years after she found us.

We have 4 miricle kitties Romeo, Merchant, Gleamer & Chauncey.
Romeo - feline aids
Merchant - dumpster rescue
Gleamer - shot all to hell showed up at my door bloody
Chauncey - had a 3 & a half pound tumer, growing on an artery(sp) wall, & survived surgery, the size of a cantelope

[catbelly]

Originally posted by Wldchld I just knew w/ Mama Kitty (we called her that too) that nothing was going to help, I hate that feeling that you have to decide if they live or not, but I am glad she had a better life for a couple of years after she found us.

That's how I feel about Maurice too He makes me so happy and I know he loves me

We have 4 miricle kitties Romeo, Merchant, Gleamer & Chauncey.
Romeo - feline aids
Merchant - dumpster rescue
Gleamer - shot all to hell showed up at my door bloody
Chauncey - had a 3 & a half pound tumer, growing on an artery(sp) wall, & survived surgery, the size of a cantelope

Yay for miracle kitties!! There's always a happy story for every sad one, methinks.

[Avalon]

Oh, I hope I didn't make you think I am all doom and gloom We have had more than our share of miracles as well..and like Wldchld said..it makes you feel better to know you made their life better,if only for a little while.

Ozzy..21 pound monster..hand rasied after I found him in a puddle, still in the sac! Everybody's boss.

Paisley..so sick and beat up the vet wanted to put her down immediately. Needed nearly all her teeth pulled, poor baby. Now a contented house cat

Lizzie McGuire...every parasite known to mankind. Someone had declawed her and then let her out to fend for herself She has 6 toes on each foot!! Crazy little girl..and happy to be inside!

And Mork..my first save..found in a shoe box with 3 sibs. hand raised them all...and I still have him 17 years later

didn't want you to think I didn't have any happy stories

Wld..it is nice to know that others are so compassionate

[catbelly]

Aw Avalon! I didn't think that

I appreciate the sad stories because I feel less alone with my decision ... and I love the happy stories too, they remind me that life goes on