My best little man Gus...

I did one of the most painful gut wrenching things I have ever done. I put my best little buddy, my little man Gus to sleep. He was lying next to me and I was rubbing his face as he peacefully went to sleep. He is being cremated and will always be with me.

I am still not sure what gave me the right to make this decision. I know he was in pain and having difficulty walking. I noticed his breathing was labored sometimes as well.  His little front paws would shake when he was sleeping. Diabetes and age had racked his kidneys and body. The selfish part of wanted to keep him alive knowing I would do anything to make him comfortable as possible. The logical side of me felt no person or animal should live in pain.

Either way, the world, my world, world is a lot less bright today. The little **** stole my heart in a big way and has left a hole in my heart bigger than most people will ever understand. I’m going to miss so many things he did.  The last year of his life he got much closer to me He started sleep alongside my bed. If I happened to rarely sleep in (past 6), he would sit up and make little noises to wake me up. BTW, his morning insulin shot was at 6.  I always wondered if he felt I was a cat. EVERY time I showered, he would come from where ever he was to “groom me”. (He would lick the water off my feet LOL) He did this even though he had difficulty walking in the end.  He was never a lap cat, but in the last year each time I picked up my laptop he started jumping on the couch and putting his feet on the keyboard. It was like him telling me I should pay attention to him! I did btw…

I can tell you one thing for sure. I was NEVER late for anything until Gus came into my life. For many years every time I would attempt to leave home, he would go in front of me and throw himself down for a belly rub. If I tried to leave, he would flip back and forth and then “inch worm” in front of me for more attention. I always took time to give him as much love and attention as I could. I hated leaving him looking up at me like that. He really deserved as much love as I could give him.

There are so many stories, so many good times, so many good memories! We went through a lot together over the last 10 years or so. We were a great team. Now it’s Crush and I. We will carry on his legacy!

RIP Gus. You made my world a better place for many years. I hope I brightened yours as well. I miss you more than you will ever know!

It sounds like Gus had the best life he could possibly want, you and your attention. He loved you more then anything else in this world, and would never want you to be so sad when remembering him. I'm so happy you have all those precious memories of happier times to carry with you, the bond you formed with that little guy will be with you forever. We all have those agonizing second thoughts when something like this happens, but being through many painful deaths with my little ones and having them die at home and with help, it was always much quicker and peaceful with assistance from the vet. Unless they pass in their sleep at a ripe old age, which I pray ALL of our loved ones can do, but it is a rare thing to have it this way. There is no way we would ever want our babies to go through one minute of pain, they depend on us to know when enough is enough.

  Your heart and your world will be empty for a while, time is the only thing that helps to soften the pain, I'm glad you have Crush there to help you through your grief, we all need someone to cry with. Thank you for letting us know of this sweet little boy, now he will be mourned by many as he so deserved. Don't be hard on yourself, let the pain out and surround yourself with those who understand what you are going through. tTy to celebrate what Gus brought into your life, knowing and loving him brought you much more then you will ever know, and although the pain of his leaving is crushing, it is still better then to have never known him at all. Take care........RIP sweet Gus, you will never be forgotten and will be forever held in a loving heart!   

I'm very sorry for your loss of Gus. Sparing him pain and discomfort was the last gift of love you could give him. All those happy memories come flooding back at such a time, and you're right, he'll always be with you in your thoughts. RIP, Gus.

I am so sorry for your loss of Gus.  I am glad you were there for him as he passed, to give him comfort .  You were brave and loving to spare him of more pain, but I know, it is still hard.   He sounds like he was so affectionate and sweet, thank you for telling us about him and for giving him such a loving home all these years.   May you be comforted in the wonderful times you had with him.  Rest in peace, Gus and may you run free.  @fastbasser, I send you a hug and my deepest sympathy, Marianne.

I am sorry to hear of your baby passing on to the Rainbow Bridge. You gave him many years of love and made the hardest choice in the end. May He Run Free At the Bridge

I'm so sorry for your loss. Sounds like he was a good boy. RIP Gus.

RIP Gus, I am sorry 

I'm very sorry for your loss.  And I know  you brightened Gus's life.