still grieving

Vicstar, you need to stop feeling like you killed your cat. You have to remember that you had to give her the respect that she deserved, which means having a life without pain and degradation. One of my neighbors asked me how you know when it is time to put an animal down, and the response was easy on my part; You know when it's time to put them down when they loose their dignity or are obviously in pain. You can't wait until the pain is so excruciating that they can't be comfortable. Keeping them alive that long isn't for them but for you. I have seen people keep animals alive way too long where the pain the animals were going through made me hurt, simply because they didn't want to part with their friend and they were hoping that the animal would die on its own. With a kidney problem you know that your cat was in pain and was suffering, so when you decided to have her put down you did the right thing. To keep her suffering for a few more months would have been very selfish as her quality of life wouldn't be there! I am a firm believer that when we pass our animals will reconnect with us, so you know that your cat will come to you then. I have the feeling that your cat is actually thanking you for releasing her from her suffering. Don't feel like you killed your cat, feel like you were releasing a friend from her suffering. Kidney failure and kidney disease is a painful problem, and it was a relief for her that you cared enough to release her. I wish I could be there to hug away the pain. I have lost a lot of furry friends over the years and it is never an easy loss. It's hard to accept and even harder to let go of the image of your furry friend where she is now. Instead, visualize her happy in a warm spot with the love and caring of others. When you see the first roses on the bush, remember that they are from your beloved cat and she is thanking you for caring about her so much that you were willing to give her up so that she could be comfortable and not suffering any further. I hope I've been a little comfort to you. Please don't beat yourself up any longer. You honestly did the right thing...and if you believe in heaven and God, realize that she is there beside God healthy and happy.

Hi, that brought tears to me. I know how you feel. I had to have a cat put down because he was suffering from feline lukemia.You did not want to see your cat suffering so you put her in the best situation where she is no longer suffering. I don't think we can ever get over the loss of a pet that has meant so much.she was a beloved family member to you and I understand where you are coming from.

I'm sorry about your cat. I'm a cat lover as well and well when my sister-in-law got pregnant, since she was still living with us that time, we were obligated to give away our cat. The doctors told her that it's bad for the baby. It's a great loss for me because she was the very first cat that i had. We had her for 3 years. But i know that she's in good hand. A fellow cat lover adopted her and last time i heard, she's even fatter than when she was with us:)

You could have spent a lot of money to extend her suffering. I think that you made the right choice. I've been on the other side of that and now I wish that I'd had the guts to put the cat to sleep much earlier than I did.

There comes a time when the kindest thing to do is to put your pet to sleep. My old cat had kidney failure and finally succumbed to it and had a stroke. Her special diet kept her health for 5 years, but the time came when even that didn't help. We had to put her down. It's sad, but she had 17 great years.

Oh I am so sorry to hear that you are feeling like that. You have every right to still feel like you do. I know that if ever that time comes for me it will be the hardest thing for me to do. My cats are just like my children I can so relate to how you feel. The only thing I can suggest is to buy a nice little stone with a metal plate that has an inscription dedicated to her. You can even have her picture etched into the metal what ever you want and place that next to the rose bush that you planted for her. Then have one made for your home that way you always have a reminder as well of all the good years you gave to her. Then if and only if your up to it I would suggest a new kitten, they are just like babies and can bring a big smile to your face with there antics. Once again I feel for you and wish you all the best in dealing with this pain.

i'm so sorry to hear about your cat... i know how it feels to lose a loved one even tough it is only a pet... i never experienced it before but i just know how it feels... hope you will feel better soon... take care and have a nice day...

Aww, Vic, I know how hard it is to assist a beloved pet out of this life. But if she were in pain, it would've been cruel to keep her here with no way to improve her life. It sounds like you did your best for her and I know she will be waiting go greet you when you cross over as well. http://www.petloss.com/poems/maingrp/rainbowb.htm

I am sorry about your kitty. It is hard but I am sure that you did what was best. I had a similar situation once with a cat and I had to put him to sleep 2 days before christmas. the vet said he was in alot of pain and he could do expensive surgery but it would probably fail anyway. I had him cremated. he had a blockage in his urinary tract. It is hard to let go, but sometimes it is better for them.

Your cat knew the best of all loves -- yours. You did the hardest, kindest thing a pet owner can do for a beloved pet. You helped her even though it was so painful for you. She is watching over you with enormous love and will be with you always for she lives in your heart. In time your tears will stop and only wonderful memories of the good times you had together will fill your mind. Someday, she may send you another kitty who needs the kind of love only you can give. My cats that have gone on to the Rainbow Bridge have always sent me another needy kitty. I can always seem some of them in the new cat they send. None of my cats go outside as I live in a woods where there are snakes, raccoons and other things that are harmful to them. They could also get lost or shot by hunters or stuck in a trap. They will live longer more healthy lives inside. They don't even want to go out. They watch the out from the windows, chirp at birds and try to swat falling leaves. I'm so sorry for your loss. It is not wrong to grieve.

It is hard to get over losing pets. Two months ago I had to have 3 cats and my german shepherd put to sleep. Health issues, theirs and mine, were the reason. But it didn't and still doesn't make living with the decision any easier. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of each of them. Unlike you I wasn't able to bury mine. I had to have them cremated. I have their ashes in a nice box and when I get to my new home in a few months I will skatter the ashes, light a candle and tell them how much I miss them. I know you can't ever "replace" your loved pet. But have you thought about getting a new fur baby to love? It does help.

i'm so sorry for your grief, and i feel your grief. in 2000, i noticed that my cat "Jake" was drinking lots and lots and lots of water which is a sign of something amiss with his health. i took him to the vet and after he was diagnosed, i started a very, very expensive journey trying to make him better. he just wanted to go to dark places like closets, under the bed, under furniture, and die. i gave him all sorts of mediciine and had to give him subcutaneous treatments with a needle...which i hated doing. as a matter of fact, i stuck myself with the long, sharp, beveled needle (before his treatment of course). animals know when it's time to die and don't care about modern medicine. i finally realized that if there is no cure for humans, there certainly isn't a cure for animals. in july 2000, his vet came to my apartment and put him down in the back yard because he loved the outdoors. i had him cremated. i still have his urn and touch it often. you made the most humane decision to put her down. it's quick and her suffering was put to an end. go to the internet, type in "rainbow bridge" and find out where she is now. trust me, you'll feel better.