My beautiful kitty Teddy is gone.

[polmaven]

When I got home from work Thursday evening, It was obvious Teddy wasn't feeling as well as he might. He greeted me at the door, alright, and hopped up on the counter for snuggles while I got supper into their bowls (his brother Tigger was just wating patiently at the usual feeding place), but he wouldn't eat.

As the time passed, he began to breathe very heavily. By 8:30 he was struggling, and I could hear noises in his chest.

I called the vet's office, and miraculously, he was still there.

Teddy had developed conjestive heart failure, and by the time the doc saw him, he was gasping air through his mouth.

Despite oxygen and a shot of Lasix, by 10:30 he continued to get worse. It was obvious he would not recover well, and his doctor and I made the decision it would be kinder to let him go peacefully.

I held him and scratched his head while the shot did it's thing.

Tigger and I miss him very much. He was my pink and white, blue eyed baby sweetheart.

I will have him cremated and keep him near us.

[nytemare]

1. Sorry about your kitty.

:hugs:

[henslee]

2. Sorry bout your loss. How old was Teddy?

[polmaven]

5. Teddy was 10...so is Tigger...They were litter mates.

I have been their chief of staff for 5 years. Teddy has not been a healthy cat for a couple of years now.

[roseBudd]

15. if they are littermates you may want to get an ultrasound done by

an internist or cardiologist. ACVIM vets by state can be found here:
http://acvim.org

My cat is an early diagnosis case of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and has been taking atenolol for 4 years.

[polmaven]

17. Thank you, Rosebud...

I will talk with his doctor...he mentioned something like that the other night, but I had my mind elsewhere...Thank you for reminding me.

[smbolisnch]

3. I'm so sorry...

That is a hard thing to do. :hug::hug::hug:

[HeeBGBz]

4. I'm so very sorry for the loss of your friend

May the memories of your good times together bring you comfort.

[koopie57]

6. so far I have read nothing

on DU that has made me cry. I wondered if there was something wrong with me. But, this has made me cry. I am sorry for the hole in your heart, but am thankful for all the comfort Teddy has given you throughout the years. When a pet passes I believe it is cuz he knows there is another pet out there who needs you.

[Wetzelbill]

7. oh gosh

I'm sorry about your loss. You and Teddy will be in my thoughts and prayers.

[Bat Boy]

8. I'm sorry...

I know how tough that can be.

[jus_the_facts]

9. I'm sorry for your loss.....

....I know how painful it is. :hug:

[kedrys]

10. I'm so sorry for your loss

:hug: Teddy had a wonderful home and mom and lots of love, and I thank you for that. Please scratch Tigger for me. :cry:

[Branjor]

11. I am so sorry...

RIP sweet Teddy :hug:

[Patchuli]

12. My little kitty family of 3 and my

husband and I are so sorry. Our oldest is Midnight who is 16. She's healthy but it's a matter of time. Have you heard this one? It helped me when I was in this situation with another beloved kitty and I still cry everytime I read it...

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

http://rainbowsbridge.com/Poem.htm

[polmaven]

19. Thanks, Patchuli..yes, I was keeping just that in my heart

while Teddy went away. I asked the doc if he knew it, and he didn't, so I brought a copy over to him today.

He had a really tough night himself Thursday. He was there when I called because he was saving a dog who was hit by a hit-and-run driver. He did save the dog

Teddy was the third....THE THIRD...beloved pet he couldn't save, just Thursday night, though. By the time I was leaving, and he gave me a tissue, he needed to take one himself. He is such a caring man...The boys are/were lucky to have him.

[Patchuli]

27. It's got to take an incredible amount of strength

to be a vet. I for one, couldn't have handled it because I'm too emotional and adore animals to the point of crazy. I'm so glad your vet was able to at least save the doggie. How could anyone hit an animal and leave?!

I'm glad you knew the Rainbow Bridge because it does make it easier to let go, a little bit. If you are anything like me, you will be met on the Bridge by a menagerie! I usually prefer the company of animals to people too, especially these days.

Hugs for you and a little prayer for Teddy...

[polmaven]

31. I will NEVER understand

how someone could hit an animal and just drive away.

The doggie daddy was telling me that his 3 small children were going outside, and the dog snuck out with them, romped down the driveway and into the street. The bastard hit the dog, and drove away with the children watching! The poor man was trying to comfort his kids, and get the dog into the car, while mommy was trying to reach grandma to come and stay with them, so they could bring the dog to get help.

I was very relieved that at least this dog will be OK.

[Patchuli]

39. I'm happy about that too :-)

Especially with little ones involved.

You made the right decision for your baby. When my beloved of all cats Sadie was so sick at 17 and started to have strokes, limiting her ability to feed herself, etc. I had to do the same thing. It broke my heart but the suffering she was going through was worse. I held her too at the vet and I have her ashes which will be scattered with mine. But you know, she has never left me.

[Rising Phoenix]

13. I'm sorry about your cat

[LaurenG]

14. I am sorry about your kitty

:hug:

[GreenPartyVoter]

16. I am SO sorry *hugs and prayers*

[deadparrot]

18. I'm so sorry.

:(

[hyphenate]

20. {{{Teddy}}}

I just went through this last week with my Amanda. Three times to the vet over the course of three weeks, and then, bam! She was suffering to the point where she wasn't eating, drinking or even eliminating. I cried for days but knew that letting her go was the best and wise thing to do. I still miss her terribly.

My heart is grieving with yours.

[polmaven]

21. My condolences back to you.

I totally agree that letting our loved ones go peacefully was the best and wise thing to do. It may be difficult for us, but they were saved from suffering, and that can never be a bad thing.

[ET Awful]

22. I'm so sorry to hear it, my condolences :(

You did what was best for the poor guy though :hug:

:cry:

[arwalden]

23. That's So Sad...

... what a terrible thing to have to go through. I'm very sorry for your loss. Even though it doesn't make it any easier to deal with, you made the right choice to help him to go peacefully and to ease his pain. It's obvious that you loved Teddy very much, and he was lucky to have you there to make that tough decision. :hug:

Love, Allen

[El Fuego]

24. I am so sorry

:cry::hug:

[Spock_is_Skeptical]

25. my condolences go out to you & Tigger

Sorry to hear of your loss.

[Lisa0825]

26. I'm so sorry.

I lost my kitty to illness just a couple weeks ago. I know how you must feel. ((( :hug: )))

[RevCheesehead]

28. Oh, no..

:hug: you know I grieve with you.

hopefully, Teddy and Roo have found one another, and are romping the fields of kitty heaven together.

[polmaven]

30. I thought about that too, Rev.

I thought maybe Roo needed a friend who is also a Democat, and Teddy is just that companion. I feel better thinking that a kitty you "raised" will be with my Teddy to show him the ropes.

[RevCheesehead]

40. That's a sweet thought.

But Roo was "a cat with very little brain." Not the brightest bulb in the pack, but he was incredibly sweet and loving, and oh, so loyal. Chances are Teddy is teaching him a thing or two.

I'll be praying for you, dear friend. :hug:

[Dastard Stepchild]

29. Oh, I am very sorry to hear that.

:hug:

[Bride of Cthulhu]

32. I'm so sorry for your loss

n/t :cry:

[ulysses]

33. so sorry to hear it, polmaven.

:hug:

[complain jane]

34. Oh my God I'm so sorry!

I'm so sorry for your loss.

:grouphug:

[laugle]

35. Sorry about Teddy, we went through

something similar. It's always hard. He is now in kitty heaven and you will see him one day. Not soon I hope.....

[latebloomer]

36. They don't live long enough

and it's so very hard to let them go.

:hug:

[benny05]

37. Sad news indeed

My kitties extend their paws to you and Tigger...

[Withywindle]

38. I am so sorry for your loss....

But it REALLY IS better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.


I wish you comfort and happy memories until you meet again.

[KitchenWitch]

41. I am sorry for your loss

:cry:

[no name no slogan]

42. oh, i'm so sorry

:hug:

it's so tough to lose a pet like that. at least he was surrounded by your love and passed peacefully. :pals: