A thought for those who have said goodbye or prepare to say goodbye

[karatemom2]

I recently said goodbye to a dear furbaby of 19 years and it was tough (as it always is-I've had many pets).  It was only recently that I could talk about it with my mom who is in her 80's and had many of those pets with me as I was growing up.  She still lives in my childhood home which is a virtual pet cemetary in the backyard with some of my beloved kitties resting back there.

As time marched forward and I could see my Amber slowly slipping away, I dreaded having to make that decision as to when it would be "time".  I always prayed that God would just take her peacefully in her sleep and would spare me the burden of having to make that decision. But it's never been that easy for me and I've always had to be the one to have to make that decision and take my beloved pet to cross to Rainbow Bridge.

My mom had something to tell me yesterday and it really helped soothe my heavy heart.   She told me that being with her was better because you knew that she was peaceful and comfortable at the end.  If I would have found her after the fact I would have never known what it was like for her...was she uncomfortable, was she hurting, was she trying to get up, did she want to drink, eat, use the litter box etc.  It would have been an unknown for me.  While it was very hard to finally have to say, "it's time", at least I knew that her last moments on this earth were peaceful, and with her most precious people with her.  And most importantly, our entire family had a chance to spend some time with her to say goodby.  So I guess, even though it's very hard to do it this way, it was the best for her (and maybe for us too).  I hope this is a help for others who have had to make this decision or will have to do it in the future.

[Mary K]

I agree with you. When it came near the time for my last dear cat ( 18 year old Binky) to die, I had planned to call the vet and have him come to the house to euthanize her, as she hated car trips. He agreed to do it, with a bit of notice. Many vets will provide this service if you just ask; do it ahead of time for future reference. Your beloved pet will never suspect anything by having them come to the house. Luckily Binky died suddenly on her own while I was at home. I tried to do CPR but it didn't work (she had a laryngospasm). So I tucked her under my shirt and rocked her against my heart until she was gone. I am forever grateful I didn't walk in from work one evening and find her dead, always my worst fear! So to those of you and your pets who are suffering, try to find something that is good about the passing to nourish yourself with. Blessings!

[garypen]

I guess I was lucky with my recently departed Tootles. She was diagnosed with a defective valve in her heart after colapsing one evening. I brought her home, and let her spend her last few days (or was it weeks?) in relative comfort. I set up a special Tootles zone in the master bedroom, with 3 cat beds so she never had to walk far, food and water dishes, a litter box, and blocked the stairs so she wouldn't strain her heart. (Just walking a few feet would cause a collapse.)

I believe she hung on almost two weeks like that. She slept a lot. But, she never lost her appetite! One night, she had her final heart attack, or perhaps it was the fluid buildup in her lungs, and she died at home. We didn't even have to make the decision to have her euthanized. She went when she was ready. Of course it was terribly sad. (My eyes get all watery just thinking about it). But, we were spared the tough decision of having her euthanized.

I miss that fat old lady.

As long as I'm thinking about these things...Her mother died about 10 years ago of kidney failure. I had finally made the decision to have her put to sleep. The vet brought her out so I could see her one last time. When she saw me, she meowed and passed away. Again, extremely sad. (And again, tears.) But, even though I did make the decision to put her to sleep, it turned out to be unnecessary, and I felt just a tiny bit better. (But, still quite sad, to say the least.)

I have to go open my Costco crate of tissues now. Good night.

[Mary K]

That is really sad; both stories are. Who knows what goes through their minds...We all have a pretty good idea after living with them that many years, though. Your cat "said" goodbye, that is sweet and heart-rendering.

[garypen]

She waited for me before leaving. Once she saw me, she felt it was now ok to go. With the recent passing of her daughter, I now I know why so many people wanna believe in heaven. It sure is nice to imagine the mother and daughter finally together again. If only it was that nice.

[Davis]

Oh gosh. These really got to me. I read these last night and went to bed with tissues.  They are all such special stories and I thank you for sharing them.  I think any of us who have had pets that we love will react the same way I did in reading these.  I will tell the story of my 19 year old who died of CRF soon, but I just can't do it right now.  I'm still crying over your stories.