Had to put one of my catys to sleep today

[Purple Fencer]

Vella -- our 15 year old tabby -- started going downhill the other day...not eating, hiding, etc. She never fully recovered from a unirary tract infection she got a couple of years back.

Today I took her to the vet...fully expecting her to be put down....but hoping for something treatable...

I just got home a short while ago...she's gone.

My jaw aches from the strain of keeping myself from crying so I could make the drive home.

I have a hole in my heart the size of Manhattan right now...and even with 16 remaining cats in the clowder, the house seems empty and lifeless. I know this will pass -- 8 years in cat rescue teaches you that on a regular basis -- but it doesn't make it any easier.

I cried like a hurt child when I was cuddling with Vella on the couch before packing her in the carrier...again when we were put into the exam room and I could no longer be strong for her...in the arms of my vet after she'd given me back a vial with fur, whisker, and claw trimmings...and when my wife walked in the door after work...and I know I'll cry more until my grief runs its course....with someone like me, tho, that may take a while.

You're with 2 of your sisters and your brother again, running free and healthy on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge...no more pain, illness, lack of weight, or worries.

I'll have to learn to get along without your mother-henning, that unique "meh-erh" of your vocals, the beauty of the green eyes one cat show judge said breeders would kill for, the gentle, airy purr in my ear as you lay on my shoulder while we fell asleep together on the couch...along with the occasional whisker up my nose as you nuzzled me.

You've been gone for only an hour or so, but I already miss you more than I can say....the pain in my soul is almost unbearable, and I feel like a hollow husk of my normal self. For 15 years you were a major part of my life, and except for one summer, I was never away from you for more than a week. I know you knew I loved you...but like with your sister Mischief, it wasn't until the last couple of years that I realized you loved me as well.

I am eternally grateful for your years of companionship, and i sincerely wish that you come back to the same kind of love on your next turn of the Wheel.

RIP Vella (1991-2007)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...dsop/Vella.jpg

[Coldfire]

The bond that pets and their owners can form is amazing. From what you have written it seems you both were very close. I'm sure it must be hard but remember all the good times you had together and the good life she had.

R.I.P. Vella

[ParryRiposte]

She was so pretty! I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. She lived a very long and full life, remember all you times together. It's hard to lose such a close friend, I hope you're okay. So sorry...

[larkmaj]

I lost my cat in a very similar way over the summer. Although he was a number of years younger and the urinary infection was more recent. I can definately feel for you. He even looked very similar...

Miss my Freddie.

[Go? Fencing?]

What a beautiful cat! My condolences for your loss.

My cat died a year and almost three months ago. I'm still grieving.

[introspective]

Vella, was quite a fella,
Vella didn't use a spella,
Just being Vella,
Vella with little Tabby like feet,
padding softly through the livingroom so silently,
that if you didn't see her,
you'd jump outta your skin from fright,
Vella,
was quite a fella,
that pal oh mine, didn't smella,
What a time for Vella,
but she's right on it,
right on the money,
looking for Don Appling,
looking for that Tabby heaven and a
fellow fencer,
with that kind old face,
to scritch-scratch old Vella's Tabby Ears
and let Ol Vella know
that this is the place for old timey fencers.

[JackOfHearts]

Sorry to hear of your loss. I know what it's like to lose a loved one. Take Care.

[sabreur]

Sam,

I'm sorry for your loss. I always think that when they stop eating (at least for dogs), it is usually a sign.

It is part of the deal when you get a pet that you help them and take care of them at the end of their lives... it is always very hard and it always sucks, but it is part of your responsibility--and I dearly hope that when I reach that point in my own life, that I will be able to pass out of it with some of the same acceptance, courage and dignity that my dogs have had... and that someone will help me and take care of me, as I helped and took care of them.

Cheers, MR

[Fencergrl]

Oh Purple! I am so sorry for your loss. Your post was very touching and moving. My condolences to you, your family and your remaining pets (as I know they grieve too).

[lindajdunn]

I'm sorry to hear of your loss. We lost our middle cat last summer to cancer (the first symptom was a loss of appetite and by then, it was already too late).

It's always hard to lose a companion.

[jBirch]

http://www.petloss.com/poems/maingrp/rainbowb.htm

My condolences on your loss.

James.

[Purple Fencer]

Originally Posted by jBirch

http://www.petloss.com/poems/maingrp/rainbowb.htm

My condolences on your loss.

James.

Thanks...i did not click the link....I was sent anther rainbow bridge link and it got me crying again....thanks, tho.

[jeff]

Purple, I'm also sorry to hear of your loss. The bond can be very strong (I still miss my dogs even though they're gone for years). We're thinking of you.

[jBirch]

Originally Posted by Purple Fencer

Thanks...i did not click the link....I was sent anther rainbow bridge link and it got me crying again....thanks, tho.

Oh well, try this one. And yes, I'm a dog lover... *grin*

http://www.superdog.com/petloss/lastwill.htm

I'm not sure where a cat would stash a will (probably in the dryer, as it's where mine likes to hang out), but I'm sure the sentiment would be apt.

James.

[jBirch]

Actually, I did find one...

http://www.flippyscatpage.com/lastwill.html

I wonder, did your cat like to pounce on dogs like mine does? It seems so unfair when cats beat up on dogs. They have claws and can drop from the ceiling like mini-paratroopers invading Normandy.

James.

[Fencergrl]

Originally Posted by jBirch

Actually, I did find one...

http://www.flippyscatpage.com/lastwill.html

I wonder, did your cat like to pounce on dogs like mine does? It seems so unfair when cats beat up on dogs. They have claws and can drop from the ceiling like mini-paratroopers invading Normandy.

James.

I got two kittens, so they would have a fighting chance against an over-excited 100 lb yellow lab.... This didn't work exactly as planned... the female wisely ignores the dog and approaches him when sleepy so she can cuddle against him after first cleaning him a little…. Filthy little creature she believes him to be.

The male, believing he’s a brave 10 lb tiger attacks the dog every morning as he dozes against me. He either starts with a pounce his tail a few times or just moves straight for the head, sinking his claws into the dogs face, then licking the dogs nose.

The dog, pulls his head back, carefully dislodging the kitten’s claws from his head, dropping the cat down on his back, where the dog and cat proceed with their morning ritual of testing each other’s reaction times. The cat being much quicker always wins, managing to claw the dog before he pulls his head back in time.

At this point, the dog realizes, that size not speed is his best game, and wraps his mouth around the cats body, while the cat attempts to grab him by the nose with his claws and bite… the dog avoids this by going under the cat and tumbling him off the bed… the cat at this point realizes he’s best to go harass the female kitten and pounces her in the hall…

The only problem with the cats and the dog, I'm having trouble breaking him of his habit of carrying them around in his mouth. I realize being a lab... this is somewhat "normal" but it does disturb vistors to our home when they see the dog walk by with a kitten in his mouth.... as the kittens just go limp when this happens... what else can they do??? Other than wait until he drops them so they can lick the dog slobber off of their fur.