Even when you've been expecting it for months, it still isn't any easier when the time comes.

[GoCubsGo]

My handsome boy was diagnosed with end stage renal failure last April. He had been up and down, but lately, mostly down. He was having breathing issues, and his appetite had been irregular. I just took him to the vet for the last time this morning. He was down to three pounds. I probably should have let him go sooner, but he kept rebounding somewhat. At least he went on a full stomach filled with some of his most favorite things: crappy canned food, Friskies Party Mix, and winter squash baby food. Good bye, my handsome boy.

[geardaddy]

1. So sorry GCG

I had the same thing happen with my girl. She had cancer but the rebounded and I should have let her go sooner, too. Don't beat yourself up over wanting to hang on.

[Divameow77]

2. I'm so sorry for your loss

I too lost my furbaby Divameow to cancer 4 years ago. :hug:

[RebelOne]

3. Sorry. I know how hard is have to let a beloved pet go.

It's hard because you know they are in pain, but you don't want to give up hope. I have to send my wonderful Rottweiler to doggie heaven last July. She had bone and liver cancer, but now and then she would rebound and I had some hope. But when she could barely walk anymore and none of the pain meds were working, I knew it was time. She was just 2 weeks short of her 13th birthday when we had to make the final trip to the vet.

So sorry for your loss and I feel your pain.

[GoCubsGo]

19. It can be like a roller coaster.

Unfortunately, that roller coaster always seems to have a downward trajectory. 13 years is a good long time for a Rottie, and a great testament to the care you gave her. I'm sorry you lost her. My kitty would have been 17 at the end of July.

[RebelOne]

21. Well, I am sure your kitty's 17 years were happy ones. n/t

[sinkingfeeling]

4. I'm so sorry. Letting them go is so very hard on those who stay behind.

[Tikki]

5. I am so sorry....

We here know the pain...
The memories hold love forever....


Tikki

[tabbycat31]

6. I am so sorry

I lost my kitty last month when I was in WI (my parents had him) and I was unable to say goodbye.

From one grieving kitty owner to another, hugs.

[GoCubsGo]

9. I'm sorry.

My first kitty died overnight while at the animal hospital. I got to see her a few hours earlier, but I didn't know at the time that it was "good bye". It sucks to not be there with them. A hug back to you.

[tabbycat31]

11. Thanks

I am going to my parents on Sunday for Mother's Day and I know that it will be very tough for me.

I'm contemplating another kitty but my job takes me on the road for months at a time so I most likely will not get one. It hurts me big time to say this.

[grasswire]

20. it also sucks to be with them

My red tabby Keiko went a little more than a month ago, and I cannot let go of the tape that runs in my head of those last moments. Me sitting on the floor with him, bawling and tears and snot dripping off my chin while his breathing was slowing and he went slack. I'm bawling again just remembering. I didn't want to let his body go. I wanted to sit and pet him forever. I loved him so much. One hour he was here, then the next moment he was gone. Impossible. Impossible.

I know how you are hurting. I'm so sorry.

[freshwest]

7. I'm sorry. It sounds exactly as my furry friend underwent during my last month of pregnancy.

It was hard but he passed peacefully according to the vet. Cried quite a bit, and then a friend died unexpectedly at the same time. You did your best and he knew it. Life is short and you were blessed.

:hug:

[Bossy Monkey]

8. So sorry. All sympathies.

:hug:

[hyphenate]

10. My condolences

to you. I've been down that road so many times, but it never seems to get better.

I know one person who won't get another pet after theirs passed away, but if you have a heart that can be loving, the greatest gift is to have a companion animal. We just have to realize that their lifespan is so much shorter than our own, and understand that we will nearly always outlive them. It doesn't mean we give up loving them!

I've only got the two right now, but sharing your heart with furkits just makes life a little richer and a little fuller.

[GoCubsGo]

18. I know people like that, too.

I used to cat-sit for one couple, and when their cat died, they decided they couldn't do it again. I keep trying to convince them to get another, or better yet, two of them. I am down to one, and will eventually get another once the other issues in my life resolve themselves. My niece keeps threatening to give me one of her three, because it drives her nuts. I already have one of those. Not sure I can handle two looney cats at the moment. :-)

[MiddleFingerMom]

12. I'm very sorry for your loss.

.
.
.
He was DEFINITELY a handsome boy -- and that face!!! That face speaks volumes about attitude n' smarts.
.
.
.

[GoCubsGo]

17. He sure did have an attitude.

And, he had that attitude right to the end. That's part of the reason I waited so long to let him go. He was a real terror in his early years. I always thought that white streak between his eyes looked like a hand giving the middle finger.

[Angry Dragon]

24. But it also looks like he carried his heart on his nose......

[GoCubsGo]

26. Yep. One of his nick names was "Heart Nose".

My mom gave him that one.

[applegrove]

13. Sounds like you gave the guy every chance, and paid attention to

how much enthusiasm he still had for life. Good for you.

[emilyg]

14. So very sorry. Hug.

[burrfoot]

15. So sorry. You did all the right things, though. Hang in there.

[GoCubsGo]

16. Thank you everyone.

Your kind words have helped make this a little easier. I'm still getting used to having only one cat. It's been more than 16 years since that was the case. This one is going on diet. No more leftovers from the sick cat.

[nolabear]

22. A beautiful, handsome boy. He was lucky to have you there for him.

[abbeyco]

23. I'm sorry to hear about your beautiful kitty boy

Peace to you. :hug:

[Arugula Latte]

25. Rest in peace, sweet gorgeous kitty boy.

:hug:

[Curmudgeoness]

27. I am so sorry to hear this. I have been there recently

and it was so hard. My sympathy. :hug:

[GreenPartyVoter]

28. I am so sorry! *hugs* I am sure my Pretzel met him at the end of the Rainbow Bridge and

showed him where all the best toys and catnip treats are. :hug:

[grasswire]

29. beautiful kittyboy

Gorgeous picture of your kittyboy. I had to come back and look at it again tonight. Such a pretty face. I'm sorry, sorry.

[one_voice]

30. Oh man....I'm sorry...

wishing peace and comfort for you! :hug:

[bluesbassman]

31. Sorry for your loss GoCubsGo.

The world is a sadder place with one less tuxedo cat. :hug:

BTW, that's an awesome photo, his eyes match the color of the ivy perfectly. :)

[GoCubsGo]

32. He was actually spotted, rather than a tuxedo.

A little more white than black. If he were a horse, he'd be a pinto or a piebald. Tuxedo cats are awesome, though. I used to know one. He also died of kidney disease. :-(

And, that's wild ginger. I love the stuff. The species that's native around here is a beautiful varigated form. It's also more fragrant when you bruise the leaves. I would love to get some. Unfortunately, the one good patch I know of is on government property, and with my luck, I'd probably get caught and arrested if I grabbed a few sprigs of it.

[TuxedoKat]

33. So sorry

for the loss of your beloved kitty. What a beautiful kitty too. What a nice photo to remember him by though. (((HUGS)))

[GoCubsGo]

34. Thank you. That is how I plan to remember him.

Over the last several months, he was nothing but skin and bones. He was always "Mom's little fat boy" before that, and that's how I will always think of him. I'll just think about when he jumped from the kitchen table to the counter top in my old apartment, landed on the open pizza box, and went sliding off the other side of the counter top along with the empty box. He was quite the chow hound when he was healthy.

[rurallib]

35. So sorry GCG.

One of the worst parts of life.
May his memory live forever in your mind.

[raccoon]

36. I'm sorry for your loss. He was a lovely cat.

:hug:

[hamsterjill]

37. What a cute little nose!

I'm so sorry for your loss. No, it's never easy, even when we know it's coming.

Thank you for giving him a life of love, care and safety!