Saying Goodbye
 

Posting this here on the Formula forum, not sure where else to put it. :(

I knew it was going to come sometime, and it is now that the family must say goodbye to the last of our feline family members, Cuddles. She's going on 15 years old and has been a diabetic cat for the last 6 years, needing insulin shots twice a day everyday.

We got Cuddles and another, Fluffy, for my son and daughter at the same time. The kids were only 6 and 4 at the time, now adults at 20 and 18. She's been around almost as long as them.

The really sad part is that this is my daughters cat, and at the time that she should be with her most, in the last days of her life, my daughter is in Naples Florida with a couple girlfriends at one of the girls parents for a weeks vacation. She's not due to come home till Thursday. My wife is at her girlfriends in the Virgin Islands and won't be back Thursday as well.

I know that Cuddles will be passing on, and as many times as I have had to do this over the years, it never gets any easier. My son is home with me and we have talked, and if we have to take her to the vet, we will (not easily, but we will). The difficult part is trying to talk with my wife and daughter on a daily basis, and having them upset and they are not here to console Cuddles, or be with her. I don't know if she will make it till Thursday, as the vet has said there is nothing that can be done. Her lung capacity is 50% of what it should be, she has not taken in fluids (with diabetes the intake of fluids is critical) except for what the vet has administered under her skin Friday, and she will not eat anything we present to her.

She has been a wonderful animal as all our cats have been. The fact that she has made it this long with the diabetes, is amazing, even in the words of the vet. She has definately lived many of her nine lives with us. I can deal with the passing of her, but it is hard wondering if my daughter will ever forgive me for making her go on this vacation with her girlfriends, as she did not want to go, but I assured her that Cuddles would be fine. I don't know if I will be able to hold that committment for her.

Hoepfully Cuddles will find the will to reamin with us till her favorite people can make it back. I'm thinking of changing their flights, but even at that, the best that I can do without it being outrageous is get them home late Monday. Even with that, I don't know if she will make it, as she is deteriorating quickly.

It still amazes me to this day, after some 8+ cats in the last 25 years, that every one of them gets me tears when they reach this point, as has this post, so I apologize for any mis-spelling or bad grammar.

Thanks for listening.

Sorry to hear about your cat it always hurts to lose apart of the family.:(

my sympathies to you and your family
I recently read a study that verified pet losses for those that involved (read: loving) trigger all the same chemical and emotional changes/reactions that a human loss does.

I am a devout cat-lover from a cat loving home.
I also have experience with feline diabetics.

you're a good man doing right by both Cuddles and your family, and you're right, loosing an animal never gets any easier (actually harder I think).

My clowns (7 toed brothers) are sad for Cuddles and her family too.
I always try to look at these losses as an oppurtunity to give another a life(style) that in reality few enough of them get to have.
In time consider providing again.
I have lots of Tinker and Putty pics on the computers here at work in Radiology...
my peers don't even have pics of their kids on these drives!

I feel for you and understand completely what you are going thru.Stay strong,and remember all the good times that Cuddles and your family shared. It is a legacy that will be with you always when you think of her.

Thanks for the kind words and your thoughts.

Rippem, I think we will be a loving providing family for another feline, it may be some time, just to take a break after 25+ straight years, but I'm sure we will, as they bring so much posative things to your life, particularly when you least expect it.

Magic, thanks for the support, and we will remember her in the best of times. Scoping out the mouse at the kitchen stove, welcoming us home with her loud voice. We have many pictures of all the animals we have had over the years.

She is laying in a chair in the family room now. Her breathing is betting heavy. I hope that she will be here in the morning so at least my son can see her before he goes to work.

We are very lucky to have had such a wonderful animal. Thanks agian, it is comforting reading this at this time of night with my wife and daughter so far away.

Treads it is never easy and they sure do become part of the family and your everyday life... We feel your pain, we have been through similar experiences. Only time time or a new family addition (kitty) will help.

I hope all goes well with your daughter.

It never ceases to amaze me just how dependent we become on our pets, yeah they do become family members and it's even more so when you live alone with your pets.

which I do now, and have before in my lifetime

I don't know if thier existence revolves more around me...or the other way around? LOL

We are the very bestest friends though...

Like my mom has always said,

"The more people I meet, the more I love my animals".

Gospel.

Your first sentence couldn't be more accurate,,it's a hard decision, but I think it's kinda mutual. We eat together, sleep together watch tv together, and on and on.

And your momma was right. Animals love unconditionally, unlike people, and I believe that while they rely on us for their physical well being, we rely just as much on them for our emotional well being.

I like dogs.....but cats are so much better suited for my family. Hoping things play out as you wish and everyone gets to say goodbye.
We have 2 cats that are 14 yrs old. They have been here longer than my 3 boys.....when it's time I know it will be hard on us all, I'm sure I'll lean on you guys for compassion too.

Very sorry for your situation. My only thoughts for what you are going through is put your cat before you. I know it sucks but if she is hurting then you may want to consider ending her suffering now. I lost my cat Mercury to the food poisoning thing and it crushed my wife and I to have to make that choice. Hang in there you will know what to do. Some how it became very clear to me. When I decided to end his suffering I just went over and did it imediately. It sucks and it still hurts to think about it now even. We did get two new cats. There is a little bit of Mercury in each of them. They do the funiest things. I can not even get mad at them when they jump on my plasma and scratch at the picture! You may want to ask your daughter what she wants you to do. Kids will also amaze you with insite. I know not what she was hoping for on her vacation but at the same time good that she is with lots of friends as well.

How true Rippem, how true.

Thanks to everyone that has read this thread and shared their thoughts and well wishes. My daughter arrived home last night at 9:30 and my wife at about 2:00 am this morning. I honestly think that Cuddles was awaiting their return as she always has.

I'm glad that I made the changes to their flights, because at the end of the day, you can always go on vacation, but only have one chance to say goodbye to a loved one. I am quite surprised that Cuddles has had some treats to eat and taken a little water in the last day. She has lost weight and is a little weaker, but does not seem to be quite ready yet. She still purrs whenever someone rubs her chin and face.

Audiofn, I agree with you completely, that the last thing to do is allow Cuddles to suffer for the benefit of us, but as many times as I've had to do this, you know when they are ready, and she seems to be getting all the use of her nine lives.

Thanks again for all the support and allowing me to share this you all, as I have read many threads and posts similar to this, and everyone here goes so far in sharing pain when it is time.

Wow that is fantastic that you were able to get everyone home. Wonderful that you all can bond for that last time. We all know it sucks, but it sucks because they are so wonderful to have around the house with you. You and your family will be in my thoughts.

Jon

Glad for your family and Cuddles that everyone will get to do their goodbyes in their own way instead of coming home and her being gone,,,,I'm sure she knows she's loved.

"Dogs have owners. Cats have staff."

Somehow, we love 'em anyway. Hoping for the best.

That is so true Chuck, and I appreciate the comment.

Unfortunately, for the human part of the family, but in the best interest of Cuddles, we took her to the vet this morning. We all discussed it, and as hard as it was, we decided that it was time. Now everyone can start the healing process.

Thanks again to everyone for their support and listening and particularly the posts. I shared them with the family and they were quite overwhelmed with the thoughtfullness of everyone.

May Cuddles RIP. :(

You did the right thing for Cuddles,that's the main thing in these situations.Take care.Robert and Karen

Thanks Robert, I know you and Karen went through this just a little while ago. She's in a better place.

Probably one of the hardest decisions in the world for a pet owner/lover,,,,when to let go, I'm deathly afraid of when that time should come for me and Spencer or Sammy that I won't be able to make it. i'M NOT SURE WHO'S MORE DEPENDENT ON WHO. Treads your a better man the I.