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I know this is off topic but since I know there are cat fans on this board I decided to post this message.Yesterday, as much as I hated to have it done,I made the decision to have one of my kitties euthanized due to a long illness that day by day was diminishing her quality of life to the point that I almost had to hand feed her.Several months ago she lost her eyesight which really affected her abilities to do anything.On top of that she was getting very weak but thankfully could at least still walk a bit towards the end.The picture I posted was taken hours before she died.It was very emotional seeing the euthanasia process played out but when she layed there afterwards she looked at peace and free of a body that was failing her.So goodbye Cleo as I will miss you my friend.It was a great 15 years having you with me as I will never, ever forget you:)Rest in peace.........
Mark
Sincerest and heartfelt condolences on your loss, Mark.
--Val
Thank you Val as I appreciate that.Cleo was more than just a pet for me.I just didn't want to see her life diminish any more than it already had.I knew it was time.
Mark
Hi Mark,
I am a cat lover as well (I have three) and I know how extremely attached one becomes to them. I offer you my condolences on your loss.
It's amazing how each cat is different with a unique personality. They truly become part of the family and beloved.
Cleo lived a full life and I'm glad she's at peace now.
Jason
Thank you Jason for the kind words.I too had three cats until yesterday afternoon when my most gentle kitty had to go.She has always been such a good cat who would harm no one.Friday night she managed to barely jump up on my lap while I was on the computer.She still must have known who I was but sadly her personality was changing for the worse.I could have kept her going awhile longer but I felt it was more to benefit me than for her.That was not in her best interest.Sometimes you think your pets will live forever.Thanks again Jason.
Mark
Hey Mark - It's very sad man. I have been fortunate to have my two pups die in their sleep.
May God Bless Cleo.
John
Thank you John as I too would have preferred Cleo to just pass in her sleep as well.However the euthanasia was very humane as she did die peacefully.I was able to watch as she took her last breath while I petted her.I'll miss her very much.
Mark
Hi Mark,
I am genuinely sorry to hear about your loss of your beloved Cleo. Losing a pet is never easy, and I remember how difficult it was for my family(when I was a lot younger) when we lost our pug, "Mr. Jiggs", after we had been blessed with him for 13 years.
Take care,
David
Thanks David for your comments.Fortunately this is an event that doesn't occur too often,at least for me.I've had pets when I was a kid but don't remember having to see them as they are put to sleep.This is the first time I've witnessed the process and in a way it is comforting.Hope you are having a nice weekend up north my friend.
Mark
You have been a loving and responsible pet carer, and what you did, you had to do. Cleo understood, believe me. We have 2 dogs and 3 cats. and have had to do euthanize others as their time came. it is never easy. As with others, she will be waiting for you.
Thank you Rktect.It's only been just under 24 hrs. and I still can't stop thinking of her.In time it will be a memory but I would like to think someday we'll be together again.
Mark
Hi Mark,
I can understand and feel your pain brother. Late last year, we had too have our pet Dog(Duchsund Terrier) Keesha be put down. She too was 15 years old, becoming incontinent and other illnesses. Even though, it's been almost 6 months since her passing, I still miss her very deeply. A pet after that long becomes more than a pet, they become just as much of a family member as you are.
With all respect Mark, I too extend my condolences and you did the right thing for her.
I appreciate all you said Michael as I try and tell myself I did Cleo right by doing it now instead of later.I felt keeping her alive longer would have been selfish on my part as I knew she was not the same kitty she was only a few months ago.She really was part of the family:)
Mark
I'm so sorry to hear of your loss Mark. Cleo was very lucky to have you as part of her life.
Bruce
Thank you Bruce as I was honored to have her in my house and would have loved having her forever.Unfortunately that's not the way it works.I will always remember her in my life:)
Mark
Very sorry that you had to make that decision, Mark. My family and I had to make that decision years ago for our dog who had also gone blind. It was such a difficult decision I wouldn't wish on anyone. Just think back to the good times you had and keep her in your memories.
I will do the Rich as I also snapped several pictures of her yesterday before I took her in.The one I posted being her very last picture taken.At least I can always reflect on those pictures to remember her by.Thanks for your reply my friend.
Mark
That sucks! :(
But i know how you feel. One of our cats had to go last year because he began to pee frequently indoors (on my bass amp, my desk etc...) and there was no way that we could let him out (he would take a shit at the neighbour's then). He was about 15 aswell. Well atleast we still have one cat left. A female, curious cat that never stops "talking", lol.
I'm a cat person for sure. Nice to hear more people like that. Cats are so much cooler than dogs, right?
Hi Abstrakt,
Well I won't put down people who enjoy dogs as pets as well as any other living thing but I do consider myself more of a cat person.
Cleo too was having litter box problems so I had to be creative in trying to minimize that happening all over the house.In the end she tended to stay mostly in the basement so cleanup was much easier there.She did keep me busy caring for her but I'm not complaining.
Mark
Hey Mark, really sorry to hear the sad news about Cleo. Remember she had a wonderful life with you and you both had many great years together.
Take care buddy
Dave
Thanks Dave as she will always be in my thoughts.At least I know she won't suffer any longer and will be in a better place:)Cheers
Mark
Sorry for you loss Mark.
Like others I've been down that road a few times. It's never easy but you have to console yourself that you did the right thing by ending her suffering. When we had to put our last pet down the vet told us that animals tend to suffer pain stoically so that often they're hurting more than we realize, thus ending their life is an act of mercy. It's never easy to say goodbye to a pet but they'll always live on in our memories.
--Dale
My Facebook Page
Thanks for your reply Dale and all that you've said.I tended to check her regularly to see if she was in any distress but did appear pain free.Her loss of sight definately affect her though.One of the last things I did for her, before taking her in, was to bring her outdoors with me and let her just roam around the yard.She has always been an indoor cat so I figured why not, one last time, let her feel what its like being outdoors:)I will attach a picture from yesterday of her walking across the grass.I think she might have enjoyed it:)
Mark
I lost my chihuahua of 16 years, but i could not bear to see her suffer, i understand what your going thru, god bless you and it will be tuff for a while but just remember the good times. your friend James / Tampa,Fl
Thank you for you comment James as losing a pet of many years can be as distressful as loosing someone close to you.Some people may not feel this way if its just an animal but its hard for me either way.
Mark
Mark, I know how you are feeling. I held my dog, Shocky, as the vet gave him his last shot. I could feel the life go out of him as I held him. We had him for 15 years and he was a victim of the poisoned dog food a few years back. I can feel your sorrow. Tommie
Hi Tommie,thank you for your response and telling me your experience with euthanasia.The saddest part of the procedure was when the vet first gave Cleo a light tranquilizer to relax her before the final IV.After she was given the tranquilizer I placed her on the floor as she wanted to walk around the room.Within a minute her hind legs began giving out underneath her and she was pulling herself across the floor with her front paws until the drug took full effect shortly thereafter.At that moment all you could see was her breathing as her chest rose and fell.That part really hurt to see as she was trying to fight the tranquilizer.The final IV too seconds to end her life.Even though her life ended peacefully that image will remain with me forever.
I do remember that incident with the tainted pet food that killed many animals.That really is tough to accept my friend.
Mark
Awwwww..... sorry to hear about Cleo. 15 is about average for most cats, some manage to live up to 20. She gave you 15 years of unconditional love, and much joy and happiness. You'll miss her but you know she isn't suffering anymore. Did you get a clipping of her fur? Many vets now give you a sealed baggy with a fur clipping of your pet to remember them by. I Remember you posting pics of you and Cleo in the past. We do love our pets and it is hard when we lose them. RIP Cleo! =^..^=
Thank you very much Carol for your response.Yes, Cleo did manage to survive a number of years but I always hoped she would make it to her 20s.I gave her some extra personal care to keep her comfortable during the last several months being she lost her eyesight.That wasn't the only problem as she developed a host of other health issues and the speculation was she ultimately had some form of cancer.Running the kind of tests to check that would have been very hard on her.Then at her age then what treatment could really been done?There was just too much going wrong in that little body:(
What I will be getting to remember her by is her cremated ashes in an urn.Its a little pricey but I didn't like the alternatives.
Mark
Mark-
Sorry too hear about your cat! It's always hard to have a pet euthanized-I had a dog I had to put down and it is very hard. But, take comfort in knowing that Cleo is no longer suffering and is in a better place...And don't feel guilty for the decision-you did the right thing and it does get better as time goes by...
Hi dee,thank you for your words of support as the guys here have been so kind today:)Sometimes I second guess my decision to put Cleo down but being she wasn't getting treatment her health was only declining.It was hard when she let out her pitiful meows at times.I knew she wasn't the same anymore.Well its done now and have to feel I've done her right.
Mark
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Gosh, I just don't know what to say here. It is really tough to lose a beloved pet. Sorry for your loss. RIP Cleo.
Scott
Hi Scott,that's OK as I appreciate you just commenting on Cleo.It does seem weird not having her around anymore after all these years.Hope you had a nice weekend my friend.
Mark
Mark, sorry to hear of your loss...may your beloved Cleo rest in peace. I hope the other cats are doing well.
We had a Calico cat named "Tinkle" that lived 21 years. Tickle joined the family about the time I was born. I grew up with that kitty. We never fed her commercial "cat food". She usually was fed slices of raw beef heart with powdered vitamin supplement added.
- Oren
Thanks for the kind words Oren as I do miss Cleo very much.I sure wished she could of lived a little longer but it wasn't meant to be.I'm not sure if feeding her alternative cat food would have helped over the long run but its an option I never thought about.That's cool your cat lived so long:)Cheers my friend.
Mark
Losing a long time pet can be tough. Good animals should live
as long as humans.
Usually as time passes the good memories overcome the sadness.
You are so right MG as over time the sadness will lessen but I still will miss seeing her roam the house.I took several pictures of her on that last day but it really is so sad to keep looking at them.
Mark
Hi Mark, I remember your kittys well and sorry to hear of your loss. Our pets become members of our family more then we realize until they have to go. The good memories are the important part and the time they spent in your life being loved. Take care
Hi Steve thanks for replying to my thread.It's so nice to hear from you again but wish it could have been under happier circumstances.Cleo was such a gentle kitty that was a pleasure to have around.Now I'll just have my pictures to remember her by.Unfortunately nothing is forever as I've seen over the last couple years.Take care my friend.
Mark
My heart goes out to you Mark on the loss of your beloved pet Cleo. I'm sure you will meet up with Cleo again in the spirit world when you cross over one day. A pet is family and she was very lucky to have an guardian like you through her life. I too have a cat and know the loss of a pet. Condolences and Hugs.
Duncan
Thank you Duncan for your kind words of comfort.I had no problem caring for Cleo in the final months that led up to this past Saturday.I knew her quality of life was over and felt it would be selfish of me to keep her alive just for my own benefit.The last thing I wanted was for her to get so bad that she stopped eating and starve to death.I do hope someday when I'm no longer around that I will see her again.
Mark
Mark,
Sorry to hear of your loss with Cleo, my wife, kids and I have loss 2 other cats, Chuch and Gizmo. Chuck was like a dog, coming to you when called to. We buried them in the back yard with my kids making little head stones so the were close. Pets have always been part of our family. In time I hope youll feel better.
My condolences,
Glinka
Thank you Glinka for telling me your experience with your pets.I have another cat that acts like a dog as you described.She will come running if you call her and also will lay at your feet when you are sitting.I certainly will miss Cleo as you always hope they will live a longer life but unfortunately it not always the case.Thanks again for condolences my friend.
Mark
My deepest condolences, Mark. I know exactly how you feel. A couple of years ago we had to do the same with our dog, Brandy, who'd been with us for 13 years. The process was devestating to watch, and I cried like a baby, but I owed her that after her long years of love and affection.
With tears in my eyes and my soul,
Jim
Hi Jim,I certainly hear you when it came to watching her put to sleep.They first gave her a mild tranquilizer to relax her but she wanted to walk so I had to place her on the floor so she wouldn't walk off the table.Within a few seconds her hind legs started giving away so she started to drag her body with her fronts until she couldn't fight the drug any longer.She layed on her side and you saw her just breathing.Then after I placed her back up on the table the vet returned to give her the last drug that ended her life.Thank you for your response as I do appreciate it.I'll sure miss my kitty..................
Mark
Mark,
I feel for you and I offer condolences to you at the death of your cat, Cleo.
I have had pets when I was younger and it is heart-wrentchingly sad when they die.
You lovingly took care of one of God's creatures. As hard as it was to do, know that you did the most loving thing you could do for her by having her euthanized.
Raymond
Thank you Raymond for your very thoughtful comments.As hard as it was for me to have Cleo euthanized I felt it was best for her while she still had some of her dignity left.I did not want her to fall in such a bad state that I had to move quickly to put her down.I probably kept her around longer than I should have but I wanted to be absolutely sure there was nothing else that could have been done.
Mark
I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their kind words during this difficult time for me.One of the great things about mlhh is that its more of a family than just a run of the mill message board.Its a nice feeling hearing from so many of you as I do appreciate it:)I'm including a picture I have of Cleo in one of her happier days.Oh how I miss her.Thanks everyone.
Mark
Poor Cleo
So sorry for your loss, Mark. May Cleo rest in peace.