I had two pets die in a month earlier this year. It's tough and I feel for you. You sound like a great pet owner.
Man, I am so sorry, oomp! We have 2 dogs and a cat and I don't know what I would do if 2, let alone 1 died any time soon. I'm about to head to lunch but I'll share later in this thread how my wife and me have gotten very close to our cat that we have. So, I can feel for the op, if something ever happened to Zeke (my wife and daughter spells his name, "Zeek"), I would be absolutely devestated (but I would be the same way if something happened to my 2 dogs). And I agree with 03 that the guy that said "What happened about cats having 9 lives" or something that stupid is an idiot. Except, he should be demoted down to even lower than a "rookie".
I thought I would never own a cat. I have had 8 dogs in my life that I consider to be my own. My wife was pretty much allergic to cats growing up and I never really cared for them. That all changed when I met Zeke. He is the ONLY cat that I have ever seen that acts like a dog. Our old next door neighbor got him when he was a kitten and kept him indoors. She moved out and her ex-husband moved in. He was allergic to cats and kept Zeke outside - that is how we became acquainted to him. He started missing rent payments and got booted out by our original next door neighbor. The first thing my wife told me when this happened was, "Can we take Zeke?" We took him in and I really think he was extremely grateful to us - I think he would have died if he had to stay outside much longer. He has no desire whatsoever to go outside. It took him awhile to get used to our 2 dogs, especially our border collie-akita mix but he gets along great with her and they love to play (especially roughhouse all the time!). I have been accused of showing favoritism towards Zeke compared to our dogs and I am probably guilty of this. There is no doubt in my mind that I will have a cat as a pet for the rest of my life.
I love cats and haven't been able to have one since I met my wife (she's allergic), but I used to, so I know a little about what you're going through. I lost a dog I had as a close friend for 12 years, and still haven't forgotten him, or really put the loss behind me. That was over 25 years ago. Just remember how lucky you are to have had your cat, whatever happens. A really great cat or dog is a gift we are lucky to have received, whether because of fate, luck, or a higher power. One thing I know for sure, as you do... we can never take them for granted.
Once again, I feel your pain. My cat was just 2 years old. So young, and thats a lot of the reason why it was so shocking. He was perfectly healthy (so it seemed) and then the next minute he fell over and died in my arms. Time is the greatest healer here. Do things that make you remember the happy times. I put away a lot of his toys in a box and stuffed it in the closet and came back and went though them after I moved on a little. I let a couple months pass by before I put together a picture collage together. Most importantly, dont get another animal a a replacement, because they will never live up to the original. Let time pass by, and you will know when its time to get another. It took me about 4 months before I got another cat.
Figured I'd give an update. My cat, who was diagnosed with FIV (an immunodeficiency virus) seemed to have been getting better since he was beginning to eat and drink whatever we put in front of him. He was still rather lethargic, and he was still very skinny. However, this morning I awoke to find that he was breathing heavier and faster than ever. He also began to spit up. I was hesitant to take him to the vet, but at that time, I realized that he was suffering. I began to get nervous because I didn't know how I would be able to say goodbye. I would walk away and return with the hope that maybe his breathing would slow down. But every time I came back, he would let out a long, drawn-out meow and I knew that our time together was quickly fleeting. My mom approached me and asked if I was ready to call the vet and I nodded slightly. I just sat there staring at my cat, trying to comfort him through his strained breathing. After coming home from school, I found him to be in the same spot. Again, the weak meow that he let out instantly reminded me of his near-end. Then my dad came home to take him to the vet. I couldn't bare to watch him put our cat into the cage. The cat resisted with all he could, but he had no energy left. I went to my bedroom and shut the door. All I heard after that was the slight rattling of the cage, then the door alarm going off signaling that my dad took him outside, and finally, the sound of my dad's truck as he prepared to take my cat to the vet. So that's how it ended, without me having the courage to say goodbye. The worst part is knowing that my older brother, who just went off to ATM for his first year of college, did not get to see his cat, whom he was also very close to, in his final days. Walking around the house, I now seem to remember all the different places my cat slept or played. I remember the his bright, scared eyes peering from under the couch that first day we found him. I remember the times he would run up and down the stairs chasing his favorite toy. And lastly, I remember the mantle under which he spent his last day, bellowing out for an end to his suffering.
RIP Yak's cat. His suffering has ended and am sure he is in a much better place. As I type this I am going to give my puppy a tight hug which he does not like very much.
Sorry to hear that man. Sad story. just think that now he's at peace, and no longer suffering. I sort of went through a similar thing with my dog when we had to put her to sleep. http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=100157 I don't know how I'll take losing my current dogs.
I can't imagine myself, my girls, and Ms. SwoLy going through that as we have two of our own and a puppy. + I understand your frustration at not being able to do much, but accepting the inevitable. Que En Paz Descanse - R.I.P.
Really sorry to hear that but at least your cat's suffering is over. Always remember the good times with your pets since their lives are short.
Hang in there. In time the pain will ease some. I lost a furry friend of 9 years back in July....from kidney disease. Read and share with others about the way you feel(there's a lot of memorial websites out there). Remember the good things and let the bad things move on. And last, try not to be bitter. Anger is a natural part of the grieving process. It too will pass if you allow it.
Yak, I am truly sorry at what you have experienced. Pets show unconditional love. They love you regardless of what kind of crappy things you did that day. We learn a lot from our pets that way. That is what makes it hurt so bad when they go. Allow yourself to grieve. THERE IS NO SHAME IN CRYING OVER A PET. When you are finished grieving, you will be left with memories of your cat that will make you shed a tear and smile all the same. At that point, you can have a new pet. There are plenty of kittens and puppies that need a good home with somebody that will love them and care for them. Good luck to you on this. It will not be easy, but it is necessary.
You write very well and with great empathy for a high schooler. Consider including this experience in your college application essays, but instead of cat use something relevant like "grandfather" or "cousin". And this small taste of pain is always something you can draw on in the future to truly appreciate joy. Stay strong my brotha!
I never knew the bond between man and pet can be so strong. Touching post OP. i'm really curious though - is cat HIV transferrable to humans? probably not right?
