I just found out this morning from our Vet that we have to 'put down' a very smart and loving long-standing member of our family, our cat of almost 15 years, Crickett.

She has been one of the biggest joys in our lives, and has been a constant source of unconditional love, companionship and entertainment ... for both myself and my wife.

For our entire mairried life, she's been a big part of our lives, for so long in fact, she's almost been like a kid to us ... and today at 5 pm (Pacicific Time), I must end her life. That's about 3 hours from now ...

The biopsy results said that she has 'Squamous Cell Carcinoma', one of the most aggressive cancerous tumors found in cats, and it is growing under her tongue, where it is untreatable. It has spread
throughout her body to her lungs and kidneys. She hasn't been able to eat, drink or clean herself properly for almost a month now, and it's almost to
the point that where we will have to start feeding her liquefied high calorie food and giving her water with a syringe.

... it's time.

I know what we are about to do the right and humane thing ... but it is going to be one of the hardest things I have ever done in as far as I can remember. It will be extremely painful to witness such a wonderful personality and loving spirit leave her body. Both my Nina and I will be there to hold her,
talk to her, and comfort her as she takes her last breath.

... so far this has been the longest day of my life.

Slim,
So sorry to hear of your loss. I had a cat of 4 yrs that I had to put down and it was the hardest thing I ever did. I can only imagine what you must be going through!!

Rob

Sorry Slim. People who don't have pets will never understand. I lost two of my ferrets this year and it was awful. Thank God we were successfully able to remove two tumors from our dog Max this past Monday. My hearts goes out to you.

I knew I guy when I was in the Army that had a mid-sized statue of a dog. He was real possessive about it too! If anyone got close to it he'd flip out. I asked him about the statue when we were out shooting pool one night. Turns out that this was his childhood pet that grew up with Tom. It was his "buddy". When the dog died after 15 years of joy the family had the dog creamated and placed into an urn. Well, as Tom grew his fondness for throwing parties at his parents house(when they were out of town)did as well. One of the guests knocked over the urn and the dog's ashes were scattered all over the mantle. Tom gathered as much as he could and put the remains in a couple of freezer sized ziplock bags. The idea hit him then to mix the dog with clay and make a replica. He said his parents thought it was soooo thoughtful(he didn't confees that he broke the urn!!!)and let him take the statue with him when he got to permenant party.

I recently read where they're making some sort of stone and turning it into jewelery.

Sorry to hear about your loss. I'm a dog guy myself, but those lil furballs sure will leave ya talkin' about them sometimes! Salute,salute,salute!

Slim, my family's cat had the same problem. Still remember, and am still saddened by, the day he was put down. Back when I was in college, but I remember it like it was yesterday. Know how you feel. A real loss. Best thoughts with you...

John

Thanks to everyone ... yeah, this hasn't been a good day.

Well ... now comes the hardest part. The wife and I are off to the Vet's office to have Crickett put down.

In 45 minutes ... only her spirit (and all the memories) will be with us.

Hang in there man...

It's never an easy task. Pets are such a big part of our lives that when something goes wrong, it hit's us pretty hard.

You did the right thing...

Group hug...

Sorry to hear about Crickett Slim but like you say it's the right thing to do.

Sorry to hear of your loss. My wife and I are going to be going through the same thing very soon with our 141/2 year old cat. She has a thyroid problem that is wasting her away. It is going to be a hard day for us as well.

I can totally sympathize Slim. I come from a long line of farmers and was taught some of the harsh realties of life at a very early age. When I was a kid I accompanied my father and grandfather with the chore of putting a very sick kitten down. Things were handled differently then and we did it ourselves. I've since had to repeat the chore more than once and it never gets easy. Sometimes I think it's easier on my wife when I take care of business when she's not around and the animal just "disappears".

My heart goes ou to you Slim and Mrs. Slim, I have no kids and my pets are my family.

Barry

Slim, I am truly sorry to hear about your loss. 15 years is a long time for a cat. My prayers go out to you and your family.

As a cat-person that's been through this, I can only sympathize. It's a hard thing to let a faithful friend go, and an equally hard thing to face life again with that friend gone. In addition to my condolences--I can tell that Crickett was very special indeed--I can only offer the suggestion that you not take too long to adopt another. It won't fill the empty place, but it does help. And introducing a new pet with its own personality and quirks will bring a great sense of companionship even while feeling the loss of Crickett.

All the best,

Dan

My sympathies Slim.
They become such a huge part of us, it's like a part of our soul is lost when one dies. One of the great heartbreaks in life is they're only with us for such a short time. I've have some wonderful Cats and Dogs with unique personalities. Tears me up every time one passes on.
Hang in there.
-Spiny

Very sad.

You all have been a great deal of help to me with your sentiments ... yes, even you E-Chick, who I know hates cats ... 😉

It didn't go as smoothly as I had hoped, but she is now no longer in pain. Being as dehydrated as she was (the last few days she couldn't drink much water) her blood pressure was down, and the vet had a hard time finding a vein. He stuck her several times, poking around in all four legs ... and she suffered a little before he found one that would take the needle. But once he did ... she went quickly and peacefully.

When I got home ... I went out back and fired up a memorial Bucanero 'Full Sail' ... in honor of her wonderful life, and for her journey 'sailing' into the animal afterlife. I gave her my own private eulogy ... and then offered her spirit the billows of my smoke to follow into the heavens ...

I know that may seem corny to many (osage will understand), but it felt like a very moving and spiritual thing to do ...

God bless her wonderful little soul ...

Its so hard to loose a loved one.....In my prayer's jhay

toby and i will cry for you all.

geordie, my first dog had to be euthanized in 1973 at age 16. i have less pain in my heart now, but he will always be there.

someone once asked me, if you believe in heaven, who would you want to see. geordie.

Sorry for the loss Slim,

I have had my cat for only two years but when you are alone and think that some day they'll be gone and that is when you feel that pain. Sounds like you had a wonderful life with her though.

I know exactly the pain you feel. Have three memorials in the back yard from the cocker spaniel family we once had. Annie (the mother and grandmother), Maggie (the daughter and mother) and Buddy (the son and grandson).

Slim ...

It doesn't seem corny to me ... the bond between yourselves and the cat has been strong and very real ... the cat's passing doesn't change that ...

I can relate to your experience ... about 2 years ago, we lost a dog that'd been part of our family for a long, long time ... we still talk about her a lot and feel her presence in our family ... I had her cremated, then had her ashes put in an attractive box which now sits on a table by the front window where she used to love to sit looking out at the world ... I'd like to think she's still enjoying that view.