Another Sad Day
Dear Friends:
Those of you who know me well and with whom I regularly correspond already know this. For the benefit of all my other comrades here on DS, I am sharing the content of an email which I wrote last Thursday, May 7th.
I had to have Jake the Cat put to sleep today. He hadn't been acting right for a couple of days and this morning, he was obviously in distress. Despite offering him a king's ransom to eat over the past week, he was just picking at his food and spending most of the time sleeping in out of the way places. I was alarmed to see that his abdomen was VERY bloated and he didn't want to walk. I phoned the Cat Care Clinic at 9:00 a.m. and was lucky to get an appointment with Dr. Sisco at 11:30.
Upon examination, it was apparent that his belly was full of fluid. He was over a pound heavier than he was less than 2 weeks ago -- not good. I agreed to let her xray him to see what might be going on in there. It took about 15 minutes to get the xrays done. Dr. Sisco had me come into the xray room to have a look. Unfortunately, there was so much fluid, it was hard to really "see." She said we could do an ultrasound, but that much fluid accumulation is never a good sign. She said she suspected that he had either a mass (possibly cancer) or a major obstruction somewhere in his abdomen. We decided that euthanasia was the most caring thing to do..
Jake had been through a lot in the past month. Just recently diagnosed with feline diabetes, he was also taking anti-nausea meds for what we suspected might be pancreatitis -- that often goes hand in hand with just-diagnosed diabetes. But he wasn't improving much, other than his blood glucose was much better on the insulin. I do not believe in over-treatment and he was just feeling so poorly today, I told Dr. Sisco "He's telling me it's time."
I called Lisa and my friend, Linda. Lisa was a mess -- understandably so; she has know Jake & Woody since they were kittens. My good friend and fellow volunteer, Linda, lives close to the Cat Care Clinic, so she came down to be with me.
Jake was feeling so poorly, he laid perfectly still on that nice, fluffy fleece blanket on the exam table while they shaved a little spot on the inside of his rear leg. I stood by his head and petted him and he was slipping away, I told him "Go find Hallie!" because I know that she is on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge waiting to see him. Jake never stopped looking at me and didn't struggle. It was very quick and very, very peaceful. But also very sad.
When I got home, Woody was sleeping. I'm sure he's going to be upset when he realizes that his brother isn't here anymore. I am having Jake cremated and a cast made of his paw print. I want to take his ashes to Smallville when I get up to Maryland in the fall so he can be buried with Radar, Rex the Cat, Hallie, Whitty Kitty and Markie.
I'll be ok. But this is really tough stuff. I know I did the right thing, but it still hurts. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers.
xoxo
kathi
Those of you who know me well and with whom I regularly correspond already know this. For the benefit of all my other comrades here on DS, I am sharing the content of an email which I wrote last Thursday, May 7th.
I had to have Jake the Cat put to sleep today. He hadn't been acting right for a couple of days and this morning, he was obviously in distress. Despite offering him a king's ransom to eat over the past week, he was just picking at his food and spending most of the time sleeping in out of the way places. I was alarmed to see that his abdomen was VERY bloated and he didn't want to walk. I phoned the Cat Care Clinic at 9:00 a.m. and was lucky to get an appointment with Dr. Sisco at 11:30.
Upon examination, it was apparent that his belly was full of fluid. He was over a pound heavier than he was less than 2 weeks ago -- not good. I agreed to let her xray him to see what might be going on in there. It took about 15 minutes to get the xrays done. Dr. Sisco had me come into the xray room to have a look. Unfortunately, there was so much fluid, it was hard to really "see." She said we could do an ultrasound, but that much fluid accumulation is never a good sign. She said she suspected that he had either a mass (possibly cancer) or a major obstruction somewhere in his abdomen. We decided that euthanasia was the most caring thing to do..
Jake had been through a lot in the past month. Just recently diagnosed with feline diabetes, he was also taking anti-nausea meds for what we suspected might be pancreatitis -- that often goes hand in hand with just-diagnosed diabetes. But he wasn't improving much, other than his blood glucose was much better on the insulin. I do not believe in over-treatment and he was just feeling so poorly today, I told Dr. Sisco "He's telling me it's time."
I called Lisa and my friend, Linda. Lisa was a mess -- understandably so; she has know Jake & Woody since they were kittens. My good friend and fellow volunteer, Linda, lives close to the Cat Care Clinic, so she came down to be with me.
Jake was feeling so poorly, he laid perfectly still on that nice, fluffy fleece blanket on the exam table while they shaved a little spot on the inside of his rear leg. I stood by his head and petted him and he was slipping away, I told him "Go find Hallie!" because I know that she is on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge waiting to see him. Jake never stopped looking at me and didn't struggle. It was very quick and very, very peaceful. But also very sad.
When I got home, Woody was sleeping. I'm sure he's going to be upset when he realizes that his brother isn't here anymore. I am having Jake cremated and a cast made of his paw print. I want to take his ashes to Smallville when I get up to Maryland in the fall so he can be buried with Radar, Rex the Cat, Hallie, Whitty Kitty and Markie.
I'll be ok. But this is really tough stuff. I know I did the right thing, but it still hurts. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers.
xoxo
kathi
Replies
Hugs, my friend. I know it hurts, they are our babies. My prayers are with you.
So sorry for your loss. I\'ve had to arrange for the final moments of 3 beloved cats and my lab cross, and it\'s a hard price for all that love. You did what\'s right for your boy. When they\'re quality of life is low, and they\'re not feeling good, it\'s time.
I have 19 year old medium long hair Frodo at home, losing weight and I have to help him keep up with his grooming, but he still teases the dog until she chases him, then turns tail and chases her back. They play, eat and snuggle together, but it\'s only a matter of time until I\'m where you are. Sending you a hug and support. He was lucky to have you.
So very sorry to hear about Jake. Your story brings up memories of my Taja going to her Rainbow Bridge passing, it will a year on May 21st. I keep her ashes on my desk shelf in a pretty caster they provided. Sending you some hugs our pets are our children at this stage in life.
I\'m so sorry for your loss Kathi. Prayers of comfort coming your way.
Heartbreaking for you Kathi. We love them as if they were our own kids. I\'ve had to say goodbye to a few furbabies myself. Sending hugs and prayers your way.
Kathi,
I am so very sorry about Jake. I started tearing up when I read your journal entry. All I can say is it\'s so sad but he had a terrific and wonderful life with you. He had the best mommy and he knew it. I can\'t imagine how you must feel but like everything else it will get better in time. Just keep loving the others because they will feel sad too. My Rocky (who was with MuShu for 12 years before MuShu passed this past Jan) looked around for him for a few days. It was heartbreaking. But they are everything to us animal lovers so it\'s hard to be without them.
Many hugs to you,
Donna
I\'m so sorry to hear about Jake. It\'s always a sad time when we lose one of our animal friends. I know you will miss him for some time. I hope Woody will be okay.
Dear Kathi-sending thoughtful prayers & hugs. I am so sorry to hear about Jake. I know this is a very tough thing to go through. you gave him a wonderful loving life. I hope you are comforted by cherished memories. Hugs.
I still, after 8 years, cry whenever I recall putting down my dear friend. I miss him and I don\'t even want to say his name anymore for all I will do is cry. I watched him in his eyes and saw a painless and quick death. It was because, I am sure, of the bad pet food out there from China that was flooding the U.S. market. Take care. Always relish those great moments. Hugs and love, Neesie
Dearest Kathi-
Again my deepest condolences for you loss. I feel deeply for you and Woody as I think I told you how devastated I was when I lost my dear baby dog \"Rue\". Dont let anyone tell you it was only a cat as some people cannot understand our extreme grief as they are not animal people. Just know you were a great Mom and Woody was a great brother to him. Jake was lucky to have you both as you gave him a life that most cats would only dream of.
Hugss and lovesss Sandy
I just read your journal Kathy, I feel for you
And totally understand your heartache!
He\'s always with you forever!
Your grief will subside each day
It\'s hard but you will make it.....
Stay well. Xox
Hugs to you. Losing a fur baby is so hard!
I\'m so sorry Kathi. It is so hard to lose a member of your family (as our pets certainly are). Since the divorce, I have not been able to have a pet. I miss that part of family life. My friend lets me babysit her dog and I am glad I get to be Roxie\'s aunt. She\'s coming tomorrow and I am really looking forward to her visit. I know you are heartbroken. Hugs and prayers coming your way!
Hugs, hugs, and more hugs!