No words of wisdom but I understand what you're going through. I agree, they are members of our families and their losses are devastating. I'll be thinking of you.

Sue

Oh how I understand. I am so attached to my animals. We had a cat for 15 yrs, he became diabetic so we had to give shots 2x a day, took him everywhere we could, finally as he started going downhill we took him in & the vet said it is time- that was so difficult. I lost my cat in Oct, my Horse in January & my husband the following July. But the Lord just brought me a beautiful cat who acts so much like my old one it is weird. So grieve the loss of your friend but know there is room in your heart for another one. Iam so sorry,.

Meboy- THis cat "Black Boy" was a diabetic for a while and we had to give him insulin 1 x a day but he got better. I checked on him about 3 hours a ago and he moved a little bit but when I check him in the morning I am afriad he will be gone. He does not seem to be in pain so I did not take him to the vet. With several of my cats (some 16 years old) I took to the vet and all I did was prolong thier misery and finally had to have them put down. My wife and I decided to let nature take its course. About 3 years ago my last dog "Lucky" developed lung cancer and he was in absolute misery, narcotics did not help him much so I had him put down. It would have been inhuman to have let him suffer so. To beat all the racoons I think have invaded the cat food and I have live traps out tonight to trap them and relocate them. So tommow I willl have to bury a good friend and probaly transport some racoons.

Follow up on Black Boy. This morning I went to check and take care of his body but there was no body. I looked all over the farm stead but I can find nothing. I know the raccoons have been coming in and trying to get at the cat food. I wonder if they took his body? I am both sad and mad as I can't have any closure. I supposed he crawled away to recover but I really doubt it. I would rather have lovingly buried him. At least I would have closure.

animals can easily become our furry children, and certainly our friends. their emotions are pure, they don't pretend -sometimes they have all the virtues of man and none of the vices. is he/she is labored breathing? if the cat is struggling to breathe, you may feel better having him 'put down' peacefully by a vet. it is hard, but crucial that we put our own emotions aside and do what is best for the suffering animal. having volunteered at a wildlife ctr the motto was: death is not the enemy, suffering is the enemy. I am crying with you.

Nothingbut--I felt he was gently dying and I felt he wold be more comfortable in his old surroundings I think in the past I was to quick to put an animal down. As I have said I feel sad and mad that I don;t have his body to bury. To have some wild animal tear up his body to me is dishonoring his memory. I will not let an animal die in pain if I can prevent it.

I am sorry that you do not have the body of your sweet cat to bury. I would try to look at it in the sense that he was no longer there - his spirit, too, I believe is in a better dimension now. I know it is hard not to get mad at the raccoons, but having volunteered at a wildlife rehab center - I have even come to love and appreciate all wooded creatures too, who must struggle for food and dodge bullets every day. I know, though, to have your beloved cat's body eaten by a raccoon is painful for you, and I am so sorry. Warmly, Linda

Nothingbut- This morning I had a young raccon in one of the live traps in the old house where the cats live and I transported him about 7 miles from my home and let him out by a stream. I find it hard to shoot them.

I'm sorry for your loss. I know how you feel. My Mom and I were adopted by a young cat when I was in high school. Its great when they adopt you. That sweet kitty lived for 20 years. She was a great mouser and remained playful well into her teens. They are indeed family members.

Often baby raccoons were brought in to the rehab usually orphaned - we would have to feed them around the clock and learned how comical they can be (mischevious). Once standing next to a cage talking to another volunteer, I found I lost my pen, and my thermometer from my lab coat pocket - sure enough, after looking all over the floor, thinking they fell out while I was bending over - I finally looked at the raccoon cages all lined in a row and one raccoon was passing my pen to another!!! Maybe they were trying to write an SOS?! The general public would bring in the animals - every sort of mammal native to PA and every bird. Had the priviledge or getting to know wild animals up close and personal! Most had been injured either by accident or on purpose by people who feared or didn't understand the value of wildlife. They never lost their wiley ways and many times they didn't make it but always died with dignity. Hope you are coping with the loss of your cat. Raccoons, like all wild animals, are opportunistic as they have to be to survive, as you know. We were taught this was the cycle of life, albeit hard not to take personal in this case!! I am thinking of you. Warmly, Linda

I'm so sorry about Black Boy. You have my sympathy, take comfort in knowing that you have been allowed the very special priveledge of befriending him, he will always remain in your heart. We have a feral cat around here, he is my Lily's dad. He is a long, low bellied cat with long fur which gets matted. If I don't see him for a while, I worry about him. If He sees me he stands and looks at me for a while, but he never comes near even though I call him.It's silly I know, but I love him for his wildness, his independant spirit. He sustained an injury a few months ago and was almost dragging his leg, I couldn't get close enough to see what he'd done so I worried that he'd die, or the foxes would get him.Then He didn't appear for a few weeks, when he turned up again it was such a relief. He is still limping but not so bad. He is a big rangey Tom with very pronounced tabby markings. Lily is very much like him but much softer colouring, sometimes If I catch a glimpse of him I think it's her and vice versa.Feel free to look at my photo's.

How is he today. Remember, every day is a blessing. I rescued 16 outside cats, kept three and found homes for the rest, some are still alive today and others, well they passed away but for whatever tie they had they did have a home and love.

Lois- I think he is gone. I have been looking for his body on the farmstead but have not found it yet.

No words of wisdom. Just agreement. They worm their way into our hearts as indelibly as humans--sometimes more so. I lost my dad this year and his golden retriever died the same day followed by my mother 30 days later. My 5 year old golden retriever has cancer. I can relate.

Words of wisdom--only that I'd rather live my life with animals and suffer the losses than live a life without animals.
(Perhaps not so wise, but true)
Animal people are my kind of people.
Sorry you are hurting!!

..."cats steal into our hearts with shiny eyes and velvet paws..." Michaelangelo

...."cruelty to animals is a red flag for future cruelty to people.." J. Collins, FBI Profiler