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Post by htmb on Aug 30, 2013 10:13:33 GMT
Thank you all for your kind words of support. They are very much appreciated.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2013 11:47:37 GMT
I am so sorry to read this HTMB. It's always a difficult decision. Please take care. My thoughts are with you and yours dearheart.
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Post by htmb on Aug 30, 2013 17:52:52 GMT
Thank you, Casimira.
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Post by htmb on Sept 1, 2013 15:16:42 GMT
Lizzy, Mich, Lagatta, fumobici, Kerouac, bjb, Mossie, Casimira, Lugg, and Tod, I really do appreciate your kind words of support. It has been a comfort to have the understanding of friends, virtual and otherwise, as well as coworkers and family. I have had a rough time of it, but I will slog on and will adapt. While I knew the cat was declining, it obviously came very fast at the end.
My cat was really more like a dog. She followed me all over the house, and perched by my side, whether on the arm of the chair, the stool at my feet, or curled up next to me on the couch. I'm allergic to cats, so the only place she was not allowed was the bedroom, but we had a routine and I am sure that's something I will miss the most. For my whole life I've lived with another "creature" in the house for all but two years while in college, so it will be most strange to be completely alone. On the bright side, my house will eventually be cleaner and perhaps my allergies will become less of a problem.
I suppose it would have been easier on me if I'd just found her dead one morning, but seeing her rapid decline forced me into doing what I thought was the most responsible thing possible. Very hard when those trusting little eyes were looking so lovingly into mine.
I will spare you most of the details, but will say the tumor under her tongue was growing very rapidly and was becoming obviously painful. The night before she died I had also observed even more pronounced overall weakness and an inability for her to get comfortable. Just before I called the vet to the house I could see the poor little thing was very weak in her legs and beginning to have a most difficult time of it.
My vet is a very "earth motherly" type who uses herbs and acupuncture, along with traditional medicines. I knew her philosophy was to let animals age and die as naturally as possible, while also making sure they didn't suffer. I was relieved when the vet began to carefully broach the idea of euthanasia, as I had already reached the conclusion that it was time. My very wonderful older daughter came and removed the body after it was over and now my cat is buried in her large backyard.
I was most fortunate to be able to leave for a few days, and I know going back home will be difficult for awhile. I love animals and have enjoyed being able to observe birds at Cedar Key this weekend. I cannot imagine getting another pet any time soon, but perhaps one day ......
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Post by lagatta on Sept 1, 2013 17:59:37 GMT
Yes, your decision was very wise. A close friend had a grey tabby cat who had a tumour on his nose, and it too grew to affect the roof of his mouth and he could scarcely eat, and was obviously suffering (I suspect there was metastasis). I thought she let him go on for far too long, but didn't say anything because it was her call. A neighbour who is a serious animal lover had a lovely German Shepherd dog, who also had cancer, but was able to act before his life was horrible.
Even being a medical professional doesn't help with our feelings - I have a friend who is a vet (unfortunately for me, in a different city) and her beloved Siamese had mammary cancer - you can imagine how awful that was, given the number of teats they have...
My Renzo, being half-Siamese, is a very "doggy" cat as well.
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Post by htmb on Sept 1, 2013 23:18:55 GMT
Just continue to give your Renzo lots of TLC, Lagatta.
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Post by rikita on Sept 2, 2013 10:57:55 GMT
sorry about your cat htmb ...
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Post by htmb on Sept 2, 2013 17:34:28 GMT
Thanks, rikita.
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Post by Kimby on Sept 10, 2013 16:28:49 GMT
I suppose it would have been easier on me if I'd just found her dead one morning, but seeing her rapid decline forced me into doing what I thought was the most responsible thing possible. Very hard when those trusting little eyes were looking so lovingly into mine. I missed seeing this when it happened, and am so sorry for your loss, htmb. You made the right call. After all, you can't change the outcome, you can only make it less painful for the kitty. For me, the hardest part was the indecision before the "last trip to the vet". Grieving is far easier than fretting over what to do. You'd be grieving just as much if you'd found the kitty dead one morning, but you would have been spared making that very difficult, but humane, decision. I don't have cat allergies, but don't know if I could make the decision to not have a cat in my life, after 34 years of having cats.... We made a conscious decision to NOT get a pet that resembled our old kitty in any way, and are glad we did. Our memories of Boodles (a long-haired tuxedo cat) are intact while our new kids, short-haired brown tabby siblings, are making new memories.
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Post by htmb on Sept 11, 2013 20:33:58 GMT
Thank you, Kimby. I am sure you are quite right.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2013 22:11:15 GMT
Well, this isn't exactly about a sick or aging animal, but it could be. My brother's much beloved dog died after 16 years of service a couple of years ago. He was extremely attached to Kerouac (yes, the dog's name) and they were best buddies for a very long time, so it was very hard on my brother (add on to that romantic troubles, and work issues as well). We've been wondering if he'd ever get another dog, and today on his facebook page there is this news:
I am so proud of my brother who has gone above and beyond to find a new friend. I know there are lots of dogs awaiting adoption right here, but somehow I think this rescue will heal his broken heart just a little.
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Post by lagatta on Oct 2, 2013 20:31:48 GMT
That is a nice story. Hope all goes well.
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Post by bixaorellana on Oct 3, 2013 2:45:02 GMT
I hardly ever look into this thread, not because I don't care, but because I'm a wimp.
That's how I missed seeing that you lost your dear companion, Htmb. I am so sorry. That was a difficult, but brave and loving last thing you did for her.
Sniffling over your brother's kindness and good fortune, Lizzy.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 3, 2013 3:03:19 GMT
I too, am a wimp when it comes to viewing and posting in here. I know the angst and sadness we who have these companions for many years. Our 3 cats are in age 21, 16 and 13. Our dog is 5 and in good health.' We do the best we can to make them all comfortable. We know the time will come to have to say goodbye.
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Post by bixaorellana on Oct 11, 2013 20:26:12 GMT
You all have probably figured out that I'm not a person who is comfortable sharing things close to me online. Now, however, I selfishly need to tell about losing my precious little nephew dog, Roscoe. My sister & her husband got him when he was a puppy. Around 8:30 pm, October 8, little Roscoe left this world at the age of seventeen. Bye bye, sweet doggy. You are really, really, really missed.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 11, 2013 21:32:18 GMT
May he rest in peace. 17 is not a bad age, but it is never enough for people who love a pet.
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Post by Kimby on Oct 12, 2013 3:21:24 GMT
What a good looking doggie! Sure doesn't look his age! Sorry his time on earth had come to an end.
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Post by fumobici on Oct 12, 2013 3:52:58 GMT
Had a good long run though didn't he? 17, even for a small dog, is impressive. Isn't much comfort I know, the longer we have them the more attached we become.
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Post by lagatta on Oct 12, 2013 23:37:00 GMT
What an absolutely adorable and precious wee being! I'm so sorry.
fumobici, yes, my Renzo (black, part-Siamese cat with a beat-up ear) is 17 and a half. I've never lived longer with any human beings (nuclear family, lover, roommate) than him.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 12, 2013 23:49:45 GMT
Today in the metro, there was a bum homeless man trying to collect money for not himself but his 15 year old dog with a cancerous tumour. He said that he already had 450€ for the operation but needed more. "I have had her since she was 3 months old," he said. It would have been touching except that he started insulting people who didn't give him anything and he basically just talked too much in an angry tone. The dog had a big bald patch on its back of which no mention was made. I did not contribute.
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Post by lagatta on Oct 13, 2013 0:25:49 GMT
It is very hard to know whether such a collection is legitimate or not. It would be better to have a fund for such cases.
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Post by bixaorellana on Oct 13, 2013 17:18:44 GMT
Heartfelt thanks for all the kind words about Roscoe. My poor brother-in-law! Their previous dog, also with them for many years, was Bubba. He died about a month after bil's mother. And Roscoe followed bil's dad by only two months.
Long life to Renzo, who to the anyport community is completely part of how we know & see LaGatta.
The homeless man's anger and aggressiveness are surely part of why he's homeless and out of work. Poor man -- that dog is probably all he has of love and warmth. A fund does make more sense, but would someone like that cooperate, i.e., would he realize that an outside agency would be more capable of getting the dog to a clinic, following through afterward, etc.?
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Post by Kimby on Oct 13, 2013 18:58:36 GMT
Mr. Kimby's mom lost her beloved kitty recently, at age 16 and in failing health. a vet came to examine him and put him down right there on her breakfast table. This sad event occurred not long after Mr. Kimby's dad was moved to a nursing home because of frequent falls and a general decline in strength. At first MIL was frantic with grief for the kitty and swore she would go crazy if she didn't get another cat right away. But as time passes she may be realizing that there are advantages to not having to care for a pet when you're 90 and "starting to lose your buttons". She is also becoming aware that it might not be fair to the kitty, to be placed with such an old lady. We were worried that she might be heartbroken if she failed the inspection and was denied an adoptable kitty, but the situation may be sorting itself out. Looking forward to getting down there to see them, and try to do as much damage control as we can. But we were afraid we might have to spend most of that time trying to find a kitty...
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Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2013 19:07:13 GMT
Such a difficult decision for old people! While age 90 is definitely too old to get a new pet, I felt that my parents decided too soon not to replace their beloved dog (skin cancer) with their main worry being not having enough years left to take care of a new pet. I think that a new dog would have kept them healthier longer (according to most studies of this sort of thing), and I never would have abandoned their pet if they were unable to care for it -- but they never asked my opinion because they were ornery that way.
Such a stubborn couple! And yet so meek taken individually.
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Post by Kimby on Oct 13, 2013 19:20:54 GMT
A selfish reason for MIL not to get a new kitty is that she may be able to travel again with FIL being taken care of (and at age 93 1/2, probably won't be around much longer).
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Post by htmb on Oct 13, 2013 19:25:44 GMT
So sorry, Kimby, but glad to hear the situation seems to be sorting itself out. It sounds like the timing couldn't have been worse. And Bixa, what a sweet little guy Roscoe appeared to be.
Yesterday, while I was sitting by the creek taking pictures, a very sweet dog belonging to an acquaintance ran up to me for a good, long snuggle. It sure was nice to relate to an animal. Though I still miss my old cat terribly, I am also trying to enjoy the benefits of not only having to care for an older animal, but also one that was not well. Perhaps I will get another dog/cat one day, but for now I'm going to be content to enjoy those belonging to others.
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Post by Kimby on Oct 13, 2013 19:41:47 GMT
Great wisdom, htmb.
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Post by bixaorellana on Oct 13, 2013 20:49:39 GMT
Pets do put a crimp in spur-of-the-moment trips.
Htmb, what an excellent way to have it both ways & I'm sure the animals you know enjoy their human pal.
As far as older people & pets go, it's certainly better for the animals if we outlive them. Very elderly people in good health might consider fostering animals. It's extremely good for the animals, allowing them a normal life outside a shelter while awaiting adoption. If the person is emotionally up to it, they could also consider taking in a senior animal. They're the most unadoptable for obvious reasons.
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Post by questa on Oct 13, 2013 22:33:58 GMT
Fostering a pet is a definite possibility. RSPCA and most shelters have animals of all sorts (rabbits, guinea pigs etc) that older people can look after while waiting for a suitable permanent home. Could be worthwhile to check out?
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Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2013 23:29:48 GMT
I tried my damnedest to get my mother's nursing home to house an animal or two, without success. Absolutely none of the staff want any responsibility for that.
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