A day too early…

[Obsidian_Fire]

I know we all preach “better a day too soon than a day too late” but it sure as hell doesn’t make it any easier.
We put our old cat down today. She “raised” 2 boys with me, especially the youngest who was only maybe 3 when she showed up on our door. He’s taking it especially hard.
She was 16-17 ish, we don’t know for sure. She had (probably) IBD and would not let us medicate her back when it might have helped. Even tho she was still quite mobile and “happy”, she didn’t have control over her bowels anymore. She was tucked under a lot of the time, would cry when she’d have a gut spasm, and sometimes cry if you picked her up. More recently she started getting on my lap, which she never ever did before. She wasn’t “my” cat.

This is hard, and it freaking sucks.

[jherold]

It’s hard no matter when you make the decision. If it’s any consolation, cats are very good at hiding how they really feel, so your timing probably wasn’t a day to soon, but exactly the right time. Hugs

[ohmyheck]

I’m so sorry @Obsidian_Fire. She looks like a character with her big lovely ears!

How fortunate for your boys to have had her in their lives growing up, as heartbreaking as it is now to lose her.

So long best kitty. You will be missed.

[ThreeWishes]

Big hugs @Obsidian_Fire. And rest easy sweet kitty.

[chestnutmarebeware]

I’m so sorry for you and family. She looks like she was quite a character and I know you’ll miss her.

[Zu_Zu]

Bless your family for loving her for her whole life ~ ((hugs)) to all of you who will miss her for the rest of your lives ~

[Maythehorsebewithme]

I am so sorry. You never have them long enough.

[reefy]

Those little furballs sure do leave giant holes in our hearts. I’m sorry it was time to say good-bye, for all of you. I love her little “I’m the boss” face

[endlessclimb]

I’m so sorry, @Obsidian_Fire. She had the deepest, kindest eyes. Godspeed, pretty kitty.

[GraceLikeRain]

I’m so sorry. You gave the bravest final gift but that doesn’t make it any easier.

[tabula_rashah]

I am so sorry

[Obsidian_Fire]

I wish there was a way to help my youngest understand. This is his first “death”. It would have been much easier on him had she gone in her sleep. Right now he’s upset with me, and doesn’t think I made the right choice.
The decision was especially hard since she wasn’t obviously overtly “sick”. She was just old, with old body problems. They don’t make Depends for cats.
OTOH, I wasn’t going to let her be a victim of benign neglect.
She was such a good cat. Showed up out of nowhere, I think about 2008? when the housing crash happened. We had lots of people lose their homes and I think she just got left behind. She was always a tiny little thing, a bit timid. Never a bit of trouble. Didn’t claw things up, used the litter box reliably even when kiddo didn’t keep it clean ( in his room where she slept). And healthy. No allergies. Not overly picky about food.
I will miss her sweet quiet self.

[Obsidian_Fire]

[Obsidian_Fire]

[BrownDerby]

This is often one of those decisions that others, like your youngest, do not understand until they have to make such a decision themselves. Nor do they yet understand that there is never a “good” time. We are obliged to put the animal out of pain, period.

Condolences to your family for the loss of this darling little tabby.

[2DogsFarm]

I’m a sucker for a tigercat & have been since my very first, back in 1969
Godspeed, sweet one
{HUGS} for you & your kid.

[Kyrabee]

I am so sorry…especially that your young one doesn’t understand. It is hard for the kids.
I have no doubt you did the right thing.

I lost my 17 yo a couple years ago. It was a weird time with COVID. I couldn’t get her into the her vet and most vets were not taking new patients…at all. We ended up at the ER and a few thousand later, she was sort of stabilized but really did not rally much (she was having breathing difficulties and her bronchioles were full of something (we never got to ultrasound to see if that showed anything definitive—asthma, cancer?). She was losing weight by the minute due to the work of breathing. I set up one of the at home euthanasia services but I was terrified I had waited too long as she had one of her ‘attacks’ the morning of the appt and it made her panic. I was able to calm her rescue her with albuterol and she stayed ok until her appointment but never again will I drag things out…even though it wasn’t really me that did that. The vet situation at that time was really strange.

{{{{Obsidian_Fire and sons}}}}

[Rackonteur]

I am so sorry for the loss of your sweet tabby girl. Thank you for the pictures, especially the one of her with your son on the quilt! Sending hugs to y’all and jingles that he will come to understand you did the right thing.

[3PonyFarm]

So very sorry for the loss of your kitty

[Fiesta01]

So sorry for your loss. She was such a pretty cat. How wonderful to have had so many years with her. Hugs to you and your boys. Godspeed, beautiful girl.