Bear and his CHF journey

Bear won my heart, my boyfriends cat. He explained "he's not very social". HaHa Before you knew it this sweet little guy was on my lap...crying for attention when I'd come in. Heaven forbid I pay attention to his daddy before him, he'd get up on the end table and give me a piece of his mind. Well earlier this year we knew something was up with him so we took him to the vet and that's when he was diagnosed with CHF, between that and severe issues with previously diagnosed IBD he lost several pounds over a couple months. More new meds, more labs, more x-rays. Always such a trooper. During all this I turned into the yucky, he didn't like me as much anymore, because I gave him the "yuckies". But when he was really feeling bad he would come by me at the vet or in the car nuzzling his little head in the corner of my elbow or hiding behind me as his protector his guardian of comfort. Breaks my heart. He was always super feisty and very vocal in the carrier, but once he got to the vet's office what a love. I think he's the only cat that I've ever seen that when you take him out of the carrier at the vet is more relaxed and starts purring. The techs would all fight over who would take him, usually the vet won....lol. Finally even a new vet, new X-rays, ultrasound, finally our IBD was under control, he started getting friskier, eating better, even bit his daddy on the nose a couple times  Recheck looked great, <3 sounded good said to come back in 3 months unless we needed to see him. Well little guy had been doing great all week, was fine in the morning, checked on him in the evening cause daddy was at work and he wasn't himself and was looking pretty poorly, I felt he needed to go to the emergency vet. They put him on oxygen and gave him a lot of lasix to get rid of some fluid because his heart was working too hard. His temperature had fallen dangerously low (also because his heart was working so hard and irregularly). He stayed in hospital overnight, they were able to get him off the oxygen and his temperature came up and his breathing was better so they said we could pick him up and bring him to our regular vet that morning. So home we went and waited the hour is for them to open. By the time we drove into the vet, poor little Bear was again breathing fast and weak. Our new regular vet who is so fantastic and has been so great with him, you could just tell when he walked in the room what he was going to have to say. to his credit I have to say you could also see he was having a hard time telling us. So we spent time with our little man smothering him with kisses, told him to go run around with his brother and to find Charlie (my little bichon dog) who was new up there so he could show him the ropes and teach him how to chase butterflies since he had never been outside. Our hearts are broken. He has been my boyfriends best friend for 15 years. Sweet travels little guy

I'm so very sorry. Please treasure the memories you both have.

The incredible hole that Bear's leaving left in your life is overwhelming in the beginning. The writing of his passing helps to release a little of the pain and lets others know of this brave, sweet little boy. He received 15 years of love and a wonderful home to share it in, it is all he ever wanted. You have many precious memories to remember him by, and that little piece of his heart that he left  for safe keeping and to bind him with both of you. Those little 'bites' will continue to remind you of his love, they may come in your dreams, but they will come.  On a star studded summer evening you may even feel him nuzzling his little head once more. The 'essence' of Bear will never be gone, it has just shed it's earthly body and has become free to dwell in your heart and soul until the day you all will be reunited once again. Like love, it is not something we can feel or see, but rather a presence that is immortal and surrounds us wherever we shall be. Celebrate having a 15 year life journey together, the road may come to a Y at this moment, but will join together once again down that long winding trail. We all must face that final end, all living things do, but it is up to us how we want to spend our time here on this wonderful planet. Try not to spend it overlong in grief and sorrow, it is not how those who have gone before us would want for the ones they love above all else. Your little Bear is at peace now, his star shines bright in the heavens and he sends his love along that bond that will always tie you together. Pass on his legacy of love, it honors him to do so. The pain will fade with time, but your happy memories will comfort you and remind you of this special boy, bringing you peace and joy knowing you shared a wonderful time together, you are so fortunate to have had him in your life. Take care, and know there are others who share in your grief, I'll keep you all in my thoughts and prayers........RIP sweet, sweet Bear. You will never be forgotten and will be held in loving hearts forever. Goodnight sweet Prince!

Beautiful tribute to a very special little guy. I am so sorry that he had to leave for his next journey. 

I'm so sorry for your loss of Bear.  Please tell your boyfriend, too, that you will both be in my prayers tonight.

My condolences on your loss of Bear. It's tough to say goodbye to a longtime companion, especially after the closeness that an illness inevitably brings. RIP, Bear.

What a touching story, he certainly was a huge part of your life, and when all those little quirky things that he did are now gone it is devastating and the pain is just overwhelming, but with much time it eases. You did all that you could for him, and he is like you said running and playing once again in an even better world than ours. 

With time, and when the time is right, perhaps you can shower another in need with the love and care that you gave to him.

God Bless.....