missing my 20 year old cat

rosiejones

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I am devasted at the moment had to have my cat down Friday evening. I cant stop crying she was so loving. She deteriated the last few weeks. Her back legs were making her very wobbly the vet thought she had a little stroke. Ive been nursing her as she couldn't really jump of the bed for food and water. I know this day would come but I was hoping maybe she die in her sleep. Friday night she had another stroke this one was the worse her balance was awful and she couldn't move her head. My husband took her to emergeny vet the vet thought she might of had a brain tumor. I hopenow shes at peace. I would like to think there is a rainbow bridge x
 

rubysmama

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So sorry for your loss. What was your girl's name?
 

di and bob

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You gave that sweet girl 20 years of love and a wonderful home, she couldn't ask for more. You loved her so much it tore you up to see her suffering, but somehow you found the strength to give her one more act of selflessness and love, you helped to end that suffering. For that I'm sure she thanks you.I pray so hard that all of our little ones will live to 20 and go peacefully in their sleep, I cry when I see that so many don't.  20 years built a very strong bond. Use it to send your love and to receive hers, to comfort yourself when you need to feel her close. She would never want you to be sad with her passing, she only wants happiness and sunshine for the one she loved above all else. Celebrate a lifetime of having her in your life, she was there for a good part of it. She brought so much love to your home, and leaves you a legacy of love to carry tenderly in your heart.

I pray she has a swift journey to the Rainbow Bridge where she will be welcomed joyously by the countless others who have gone before her. God loves all animals, and has us here to watch over them. You will be blessed for taking such good care of one of His own. There is no doubt in my mind that because your souls are joined by such a love, you will be reunited at the end of your own life's journey. Love is spiritual and knows no boundaries. 

I cry for your pain, for the loneliness and the emptiness you feel. Time is the only thing that softens the sharp edge of grief, you learn to live with your loss. Your little girl is at peace now, she knows she was loved and that you mourn her leaving. She knows she will be dearly missed but never forgotten because her heart is forever joined with yours. Take care and know we all care and mourn with you........RIP precious little girl, may you slumber in that little patch of sunshine that you will find. The earth is a little darker with your passing, but your star shines bright in the heavens tonight. Let it's pure light ban the darkness from the heart that loves you so much!
 
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rosiejones

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​she was 20 years old had her when she was 2. She was part of the family to not have her here is heartbreaking. I miss her so much she.was so loving. Her name  was rosie. Thank u for accepting me to the group
 
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rosiejones

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​Thank u di and bob reading your response has bought me to tears. Feel guilty putting her to sleep but vet thinks she had a head bleed she was lob sided falling over and sat evening her head was lob sided too I felt really upset. Keep crying miss her so much she was a one off. I'm not sure what to do to burial her or have her ashes?
 

trudy1

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Wow what a loss....so sorry. The guilt from putting a dear friend down is perfectly natural but , as it appears after 20 years you have always done your best for her. No more pain or suffering... you let love rule in this and I am sure if it were possible for her cat speak she would say you gave her the best gift of love again.

Over my many many years I have lost many animal partners. Remember they are gone to wherever GOD has for them so the body is just that shell she lived in. This will be hard to think about but if you want a physical reminder of her keep the ashes in a urn so if you were to move......The only problem I have always had is that when you have a grave and have to move....well that can be an enormous emotional issue.
 

rubysmama

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​she was 20 years old had her when she was 2. She was part of the family to not have her here is heartbreaking. I miss her so much she.was so loving. Her name  was rosie. Thank u for accepting me to the group
My family had a cat once who lived to 3 months short of 20 years, so I know how big an empty space it leaves in your family once they are gone. Twenty years is a long time, but it doesn't make it any easier to let them go.  Or to not miss them when they're gone. Hugs to you and your family.

RIP sweet Rosie. 
 
 

ginny

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I'm so sorry about your dear Rosie.  
  Man, 20 years is such a long time, which makes it even harder to let go.  There are more years to grieve.  But there's never a good time and no one's ever ready to say goodbye, no matter what the situation.  It sounds like she was going to pass soon anyway from what you described, so I think you did the right thing, although it NEVER feels right.  I've done it before too and it's horrible any way you look at it.  I'm glad you joined but sad that it was under this circumstance.  Come back and vent your feelings and thoughts and questions which are sure to come up over the next few days and weeks.  It helps to air them out and it validates the meaning she had (and still has) in your life.  Be careful who you tell.  There are those who don't understand grieving an animal, but we sure do!  Take care, hugs.
 

ginny

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​Thank u di and bob reading your response has bought me to tears. Feel guilty putting her to sleep but vet thinks she had a head bleed she was lob sided falling over and sat evening her head was lob sided too I felt really upset. Keep crying miss her so much she was a one off. I'm not sure what to do to burial her or have her ashes?
What do you think you'd prefer? Are you planning on living where you do for a long time? If so, burial might be good.  If not, then cremation might be better, and at least you could keep her ashes near you.  For the first week after Garfy died, I carried his little box into the living room and sat it on the table where he would sit during the day, and then carry it into the bedroom at night and put it on my nightstand.  I don't know why I had to do it that way but I did.  It helped.  
 
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rosiejones

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Ive got that delima at moment dont know if theres a cemetery near where I live? Or a cremation with other animals or a private cremation where I can have her ashes? I have til tomorrow to make a decision
 

ginny

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Ive got that delima at moment dont know if theres a cemetery near where I live? Or a cremation with other animals or a private cremation where I can have her ashes? I have til tomorrow to make a decision
I called a local crematory for Gracie and they happened to be open and not busy at the time I called.  So I took her myself and put her in the tray.  That way I knew she wasn't being cremated with other animals.  I got her back the very next day.  Some people don't mind if their pets are cremated in a group with other animals, but it matters to me.  Usually when that happens it's when your pet was put down at the vet office and they take the body to the crematory.  

It cost about $100 to do this but to me it was worth it.  There were several crematories to choose from and I liked this one I chose for her and will use them again.  Make some calls today and see what you've got in your area.  A number of years ago when I had Garfy and then Sammy cremated, I took the all the way to this place several counties away.  Took over an hour to get there.  I stayed the entire time which took about 4 hours start to finish.  He had the fire going when I got there.  Morbid stuff but it's life! It's the price we pay to love our dear little friends.  
 

mazie

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Your vet will now of a pet crematory in your area.  When I had to have my Missy put to sleep, my vet made all of the arrangements from having her picked up by the crematory people from the vet's office, to having my vet call me when Missy's ashes were mailed back to my vet's office and I drove there to pick her up.  I went online to order her urn that she is laid to rest in.  I forget the name of the company I ordered her urn from but they are very reasonable.  I chose a silver pewter one with sweet paw prints all over it.  I am so sorry for you loss, but in my case, like Ginny, it is comforting to still have my  pet  with me on a little table in her urn with a lovely pencil drawing her and some of my favorite photos of her. 
 
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