Feeling the Pain of Our Cat Dying

Sorry to hear about your loss, Steve, it must be very tough since the attachment to anything living in your daily life really grows on you. Cherish the good times and keep in mind that you gave Emmitt the best life you could provide for a pet and that he lived a long, healthy life. Draw strength and inspiration from the fact that your other cats are still there and doing well.

All the Best,

 

Steven2420
I'm really sorry to hear about your cat, Emmitt. I can relate to how you are feeling. I had a cat named Max. He was a very healthy cat..and then all of a sudden he lost like 6 or 7 pounds in a month. He was thirsty all the time and I couldn't understand..he just looked so unhappy. I was only 18 and I took him in to vet...they did some tests... He developed diabetes. We thought we could try pill form to help...but it wouldn't work and after a week or two..shots were the only way. He was about 15 years old...my baby! I just couldn't bear putting him through that. So I made the decision to put him to sleep. I held him in my arms while they gave him the shot to put him to sleep. He just purred and sat there and fell asleep with a smile. He looked the most content that he had looked in a long time. That was the hardest thing I ever had to do... I just have to think from time to time how happy he is in kitty heaven. I couldn't hold on to him for myself because I knew he was in so much pain. So my prayers and thoughts are with you. As I'm sitting here crying ..reliving the past... just remember the happy times with Emmitt The memories will remain the immediate pain will pass.

About a year and a half later I adopted a cat from the human society. His name is Viper. He's going to be 9 years old this coming May. He is quite the character. Although I'll never forget Max...Viper found me when we needed each other. Here's a picture of my Viper.

 

Steve, really sorry to hear about the loss, hope everyone is doing well and the avatar is a nice memorial.

 

Well, it was only a matter of time....my Angel is now an Angel.

 

Hey Steve...I understand what you're going through, for me and my partner recently lost our cat, Algenon...a beautiful Ragdoll (breed) who lived to be 18 years old. He also was having complete renal failure at the time he was put to sleep...which was on October 10th. Prior to Algenon's passing, we lost our blue & white Persian, "Boo" 2 years ago...and 6 years ago, lost "Elwood" who lived to be 23 years old!! But even if it's 2 years or 6 years, it doesn't make it any easier and you still miss them after all this time.

We were going to wait awhile to adopt another pair...but when we went over to the S.F. SPCA to donate some KD-presc. diet food we had left over...we decided to look at some of the cats "just for the heck of it...". We wanted to adopt cat's that were at least a year old or more...in order to rescue an adult versus getting a kitten. We saw what they termed as a "bonded pair", in other words you get two cats for the adoption fee of one. Well after looking at all beautiful cats that needed homes, it was all over!! So we ended up adopting "Louie & Beppo"...Louie is solid black and is "poly-dachtl", meaning he has an extra set of toes on the front. Beppo is a Snowshoe Linx-point cat with white legs, belly and chest with black/grey/tan swirls and stripes on his back. They are a year and a half old...and quite the character's! Each one has their own personality.

I'll try to attach Algenon's memorial below. Again Steve you have my condolences.

Chris
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Kats-Meow Lord Algenon


Sunrise - July 11, 1988

Sunset - October 10, 2006


Hey All...

This is to inform you that our beloved cat Algenon, had to be put to sleep last night, due to complications of complete renal failure. Over the last 2-3 weeks his health had started to deteriorate, coupled with extreme loss of weight and little appetite, so we took him to the vet Monday evening on the 10th. The Doctor gave Algenon an examination and had blood/urine test's performed, which confirmed the diagnosis of complete renal failure. Most of the results came back more than "doubled" of what they were a year ago when the Doctor at that time stated his kidney's were beginning to fail. (Over 30% loss.) We had considered putting him on IV fluids for 2-3 days while in the hospital, that would have been followed by home-care of subcutaneous fluids given in the "scruff" of his neck/back every 2-3 days, but the vet said that would only prolong his life for a few months. With no guarantee that it would help or make any difference on an 18-year old cat, Ty made the difficult decision to put Algenon to sleep. This was almost harder on Ty to put Algenon to sleep versus Boo (our Persian) 2 years ago, for he's had Algenon for the whole 18 years and it was his 1st cat. Algenon's death was preceeded by Boo-15 years old (passed 2-years ago) and Elwood-23 years old (passed 6-years ago).

We will sure miss him, for he was a real "talker," and we would have little conversations with him every day when we would come home from work, telling us all about "his" day, or even more vocal when he "demanded" his meals...which had to be promptly served at 6am & 6pm every day! And if we came home late, and was late with his meals...well, we never would hear the end of it! Ty and I learned very early on that the world revolved around Algenon!!

Algenon also loved his snacks...especially "crunchy" things...like Pringles. He even liked cashews!! One time I was decorating the Christmas tree and we're having company come over, so there were snacks out on the coffee table. All of a sudden I heard this "crunch-crunch-crunch" behind me...it was Algenon with his face in the Cheeze-It bowl, having the time of his life! And watch out if we had chicken, or something that smelled good...his paw would be right there begging for a taste. Also would patiently wait for you to finish your cereal or ice cream so he could get the last of the milk or ice-cream...but of course, only off the spoon!!

Algenon also had a fetish for chewing on plastic bags! So we always had to be careful when bringing home the groceries. Algenon was very playful and easily entertained, even with something simple as a piece of dental floss that he would try to bat out of Ty's hand! Once in a while he liked it when Ty would pick him up and take him on "tours" around the apt...he would look up and down in amazement, like he was seeing everything new for the 1st time...even though he's been on the same tour before!!

He was also sometimes Chris "wake-up alarm"...matter of fact, just a week or so ago, Chris had overslept and woke up to feel this "tap-tap-tap" on his back. It was Algenon either telling him "it's time to get up," or that he wanted the whole bed to himself, for he liked to get under the covers and take a long nap...especially if it was cold.

Algenon also had a way to make you feel guilty if we weren't all in the same room at the same time. If Chris stayed up late working on the computer, and if he felt it was his bedtime, he would make a "ton of racket" meowing "loudly" until he finally turned off the computer and went to bed! When we had house guest's, and the guest-room door had to be closed at night, or you went into the bathroom and shut the door, heaven forbid!! he knew you were on the other side and he would make a bunch of racket, pawing at the door till you opened it up! How dare you shut the door on his face! Algenon was quite the character!

Algenon was a fine, beautiful example of a Seal-Point Ragdoll, due to excellent lineage. Algenon's Father was (Sire): RagnaRoks Jean Tom of Kat's Meow, a Chocolate Point Color Point, and his Mother was (Dam): Champion RagnaRoks Ms. Elegance Sassafras of Kat's Meow, a Chocolate Point Mitted. Algenon had been shown at several cat shows early in his lifetime. He was registered with: The United Cat Federation, Inc. (UCF), American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA), The International Cat Association (TICA) and The American Cat Association (ACA), where Kats Meow Lord Algenon was deemed "Champion" in April of 1989!

For the most part, for both of us he was a loving member of our family. He will be missed deeply. His loss has left a large void in our lives that will be hard to fill. They certainly broke the mold when Algenon was made!!