And for something completely different ....

[scooperhsd]

I'm sure a number of you also have your furry family members that you have had to put down. Well, today we had to put down one of our 4 cats. Rick was 13 and a half years, and you always knew where you stood with him - always wanted attention. Monday and Tuesday, he completely lost interest in food and water. Took him to our regular vet this morning - she didn't have the diagnostic equipment, so I left work and took him to the Vet hospital. The verdict was kidney failure. Miss him terribly. He died in my arms and lap. We could have tried 48 hours in the ICU, but  just not much chance of Rick recovering. We didn't want him to suffer anymore.

[Jess from VA]

Sorry to hear it. We lost a number of cats over 25 years, and it seemed to always be kidney failure (maybe coupled with something else).  But all ours got slowly sick over a longer period, at least weeks, not two days. Perhaps your guy was lucky at least in that respect.

The vet would tell my wife (the cats' true owner)... we can do this or that for now, but it's going to die in a couple weeks.  So we don't need to put him down today, but bring him in when he starts to gets bad before there's too much suffering.  Then my wife did not have the guts to take him in.  This REALLY pissed me off.  A couple died miserably with her wailing in tears all night.  I said let me shoot him in the back of the head right now, it will be quick and painless, and she's like no that's cruel.  No, your the cruel one baby, and cursed selfish.  She learned, but it took a while. 

[Bighead]

I feel for your brother about 5 yrs ago I had to take one of our cats ( Ty) to her final vet visit she was 23 yrs old and we had her since she was about 6 months old. And yes I as a grown man cried like a baby when she died in my arms

[Rams]

Not a cat person but, I can relate.

Had to put down my buddy Jake a while back.   Buried him in the back yard and planted a tree at the head of his grave.   Didn't know I could have that kind of emotional event.

Now I've got Bowser.   I figure he'll last longer than me.   This way, he can dig the hole. 

[hubcapsc]

He died in my arms and lap.

One of these died in my arms, I boohooed, it was cathartic...



Sorry for your loss... we've got more cats now, there's too many cats
and not enough people who want to take good care of them...

-Mike

[baldo]

I'm real sorry for your loss, and like the others here I can relate. We have a little pet cemetery going on in our back yard. I figure at least six pets are at rest out there. It doesn't get any easier....

[0leman]

I have had to put down 5 dogs and one cat.  Not really a cat person, but our cat, who live over 19 years, normally in the evening would curl up in my lap.   Do have a cocker spaniel now, tough little guy who loves to hunt in the sage brush above our home.  Doesn't catch anything, jack rabbits are too fast for him.

Doesn't get any easier having to put them down.  they were all family members.

[CajunRider]

Sorry for your loss. 

The wife and I lost two dogs this year.  It's always tough. 

[BobB]

Sorry for your loss.

I've had to put down four dogs, the last two were only four months apart.  We went ten months without a dog in the house, thinking that maybe when we are in our 70s we did not need one.  That did not work.  Our current dog, Lucy, is a real cuddler, spending a lot of time in laps.  At least she is only 26 pounds and not in the 60 to 80 pound range of our prior dogs...

[Paxton]

I know the feeling. My 26 yr old Black Cat ("Mercedes") passed away while I was vacationing
in Puerto Rico. People could not understand why I was crying and depress over an animal. 
Since I was not coming to LA right away, I had her frosted until I got back 6 weeks later.

I just got myself a little dog ("Pookie"). He is a two year old Havapoo, a mix of Poodle and
Havanese.

The only complaint is that he's too smart for me.

I feel your pain.

[Gavin_Sons]

Sorry to hear about Rick.  We have 2 cats, and note that I am not a cat person but they came with the wife so I put up with them the besti can. They are 20 and 21 years old.

[Pappy!]

Sorry for your loss as well. I have always been a cat person. They can be funny as Hell at times and each one has at least one unique trait that becomes memorable. I caught a feral orange grove cat a long time ago as a kitten, probably 10-12 weeks old. That cat lived to be 17 and absolutely ruled the house. Drank rum and cokes with me on occasion.....passed out on the arm of the chair (him not me).
Lesa and I have another one now that is a better dog than most dogs. Will come when you call him and will take walks with you with no leash. Follows just like a dog! They are amazing.