Echo

I just joined the forum today and came across this section which almost seems like it was meant to be. Two weeks ago today I lost my little man, his name was Echo, and he was almost 8 monthes old. I am a vet tech at a clinic, but I also do cat rescue on the side. Well back in july I took in 3 kittens that were born to a feral in my neighborhood, 2 of the kittens were almost 3 pounds each, the 3rd was oly 1.8 pounds. My boss examined all of them and told me that the smallest had a very substantial heart murmer, and recomended an echocardiogram to determine if it was fixable (hence the name Echo). The echocardiogram showed that one of the valves in Echo's heart was practically nonexistant, and that the right side of his heart was severely enlarged, it was not fixable. I didn't want to adopt out a kitten who was not going to live very long, and maybe require quite a bit of medical care, so I kept him. Echo could not play like normal kittens because his heart could not keep up, so he was content to watch everyone else play and cuddle with them when they became tired. In the last couple of weeks of his life he would have these episodes of an irregular heartbeat, and not being able to catch his breath, so we set up a portable oxygen box to go with him (I would take him back and forth with me to work every day) back and forth. I brought him home Monday Dec 6th, and he was having an episode, I sat with on oxygen for an hour, but his heart just wouldn't regulate itself and he passed away. Echo was the most beautiful cat, long soft white hair with a black spot on the top of his head and another where his tail should be (he was a manx), he had one blue eye and one green eye, and always had a worried look on his face. Well, I recieved his ashes back today, and have to decided for the time being to take him to and from work with me because alot of our clients fell in love with him in the short time he was with us. Thank you for letting me get this off my chest, and give all of your cats a great big hug for me.

Dear Petnurse,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss of little Echo.
You are an angel and because of you little Echo had the best 8 months that one could hope for. He sounds like he was just beautiful inside and out. My heart goes out to you with this loss.

Thank you, he will be missed dearly. I just feel bad for all the things he couldn't do that a kitten should be able to do.

Although you only had Echo for a few short months, those months were extra and special for a very special little kitten. Remind yourself that he knew he was loved and you did all you could for a kitten that really would not have survived at all if it were not for your care. I admire your courage for taking on a terminal kitten knowing it will bring heartache.
Rest assured he is running and playing on the Rainbow Bridge like he never could here.

Awwww. I'm sorry about your loss, but you have a wonderful heart to have taken this baby in and given him a chance at a wonderful life. I admire those who will take on any animal when they know there are health issues and the baby may not live a full life. That is selflessness, and I truely wish we had more of that in our world.

He sounds like he was a wonderful boy. My kitten is 6 months old, came from a litter of 3(that we know of) She too is missing her ornamental hind cover (LOL). We think she is part manx. She's wonderful. Now after having her for almost her whole life (We got the litter when they were 3 wks old), I just love any cat with no tail instantly.

Not that I don't love ones with tails, they are all wonderful.

Welcome to the site. I hope you will post more with us.

Originally Posted by Petnurse2265

Thank you, he will be missed dearly. I just feel bad for all the things he couldn't do that a kitten should be able to do.

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He may not have noticed. I don't know really, just knowing how some animals with disabilities don't always realize that they are disabled.

And to think, he is doing all those things and more now. He's healthier now then ever. I am also sure that he got more love in his short life then most kittens did. As you described he cuddled with the others when they were tired. He was probably the one meant to give the love that the others couldn't get anywhere else. I am certain that his little purpose in his short life was mainly to love and be loved.

I´m so sorry for your loss of Echo R.I.P.

what a wonderful 8 months you gave Echo poor little guy to come into this world this way - but thankfully for him he had you!! and he knew so much love & happiness in that 8 months

RIP Echo - you are now painfree and healthy and can run and run and run to your hearts content little boy

you were his angel on earth and now he is your angel from above

Thank you all very much.

(((petnurse))) I am crying for your loss and hugging my 2 angels.
Know that Echo is happy now and can run and play.

Thank you so much, he has been gone a month and a half now, but it is still hard. I keep expecting to see him asleep on my bed, but he is never there.

Originally Posted by Petnurse2265

Thank you so much, he has been gone a month and a half now, but it is still hard. I keep expecting to see him asleep on my bed, but he is never there.

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AAAwww... Just a thought. I will bet he is there asleep on your bed, but you don't see him. I honestly believe that when we still expect to see a loved one who has passed, that they actually are there, but we just can't see. That is what makes me feel better. He is definately keeping his eye on you. What a litle lovey guy.

Shortly after he passed away, there were times when suddenly I would have have long white cat hair on my face (He was the only one with long hair, all my others are shorthaired cats, and none of them are white), and I mean several strands, or I would see his name somwhere, or hear it on the radio. About a month after he passed I had a dream that he came back long enough for me to hold him again, and to tell me that he was happy now, and not to worry about him. I have had alot of guilt over his death, being that I am a vet tech I keep doing the what if's...., I know he wasn't meant to live long, but I wish I could have made his passing easier or prolonged it. I kept hoping that he would go to sleep and his little heart would give out and he would never wake up, but it didn't happen. I wish I could have gotten to my work and drawn up some euthanasia solution, but there wasn't enough time. Thank you all again for letting me spill my guts about my little man, it has helped alot.

It sounds like you were a little more attatched to the little guy then you know. I understand that. He sounds like such a wonderful joy. When ever you need to let anything out, this is the place to do it.

I was very attached to him, Echo was aloud to do things that I would never let my other cats do (claw the furniture, eat people food (he loved Arby's and Subway)). I figured because he was going to have a short life he must expierence it to the fullest.

I am so glad I found this website, especially at the time I lost Echo, because If I were to talk about the guilt I feel about his death to my family or my boss (the vet) or co-workers they would just tell me I have nothing to feel guilty about, but that doesn't stop me from feeling it so it stays bottled up.

Just a side note, I know everyone here has had to deal with euthanizing an animal at one time or another, even if it doesn't seem like it the vet and the techs that are present do feel your loss. Sometimes we have to hold on to it till we get home, but we do feel it, every pets life it precious.

Originally Posted by Petnurse2265

Just a side note, I know everyone here has had to deal with euthanizing an animal at one time or another, even if it doesn't seem like it the vet and the techs that are present do feel your loss. Sometimes we have to hold on to it till we get home, but we do feel it, every pets life it precious.

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I had an old ferret. He was about 8 yrs old when my best animal friend called me to say it was time. I had 3 younger female ferrets, and a 21 yr old lifestyle. He was an old man, he lived with her. She had promised him that she would take him in if she ever had the chance when he was about 3 yrs old. I got him when he was about 4. When he started getting sick, she asked if she could home him for his final days, and I agreed, since I knew about her promise to him. We both loved him with all our hearts. She was very active in Ferret rescues at the time. The vet I went to was her vet also, so they knew my old man very well.

On the day she called me to say it was time, I rushed there. As did the owner of the practice. He asked me if I wanted a few minutes with him, I said I would take my time after the shot. He would live a little longer after the shot, not much, but that would be enough for me. I put my head over him, and kissed him. I whispered how much we all loved him in his ear. I felt his last breath. I felt him stop. I kissed him, and stood up.

The vet listened to him. Looked at him a second, and with a cracking voice, and tears in his eyes, he said "I'm sorry, he's already gone, he was that ill..." He bowed his head, then left the room silent. I do believe that vets are very strong to show a brave face as much as they do. I do believe though, when they feel a friendship to the owner, closer then just vet relations, they let their guard down a little. They sent me a card, and donated money in his memory. He was a beautiful albino male ferret. My AngelBoy BoodahFrit .

(I'm sorry, I babble on and on a lot )

I am so glad you found this place too. I am glad that you shared your beautiful little man with us. I am sorry that he didn't get to live how you wanted, or pass how you wanted. I believe that he did one thing important, he touched you in a very special way. That makes him an angel. Hang in there. Guilt is a part of grief. It is all part of healing. Let it out here all you can. It will help you to feel calmer when you are at work, and will help you to be strong when you have to be.

I finally figured out how to get a picture of my litte man, he was so beautiful that I have to share him with everyone.