we had Max put to sleep today

Reading these posts makes me cry so much. Don't pay any mind to people who dont understand our love for our furry angels. Jinxy is truly my baby as was Norty. My best friends. It is so unbearable when we have to let them go and all of your stories are heartwarming and so very sad. Thanks for sharing. The story of the orange tabby broke my heart. What was her name?

I too worry about the day when I will have to let my little one go. I try not to think about it, but when you get a pet, you know going in, that odds are you will most likely outlive them. That's one of the reasons I did not want to get Jinxy. Why would I do this to myself? But now I know its worth it to have their love and to love them for as long as you have together. I also talk to Norty when I look at his plaque and picture every day. I don't think it's weird. It makes me feel better like he is still watching over me. I talk to my kitten Jinxy in my room and I will always look up and include Norty in the conversation. I know it sounds silly, but I swear I am very sane!! Janet, that poem was very touching, thank you. I hope things are going well between your Jinx and Jake.

-Jacquie

Ann,

I am so sorry about your loss... Reading all this thread made me cry. I would like to be able to take a little of your pain away... All my thoughts go out to you...

Anne-Claire

Everybody-
I am overwhelmed and really moved by the outpouring of comfort and understanding from all who have responded to my sorrow. I still feel as though I'm not whole anymore and in a way I guess I have lost a part of myself. We will get another kitty but not till I've made a few trips that I had put off (because Max always went into depression when I was gone.) I had told Husband that I would wait until fall but I realize now that I can't wait that long. I'll have to work on that.
Thank you everybody.
Ann

I understand the feeling of not feeling whole. I feel the same way and getting Jinxy did not take it away. I'm used to it now and almost feel as if it is a tribute to Norty that I cant get him off of my mind and I am glad of it. I also never took time off because Norty would freak out if left with anyone or if we took him to a kennel, so we never did that to him. Have a wonderful time taking your trips. I promise it will get better!

I only just discovered this site today, and I'm so sad reading this thread.

I am so, so sorry. We had to make the same decision for Muffy six months ago. She was a rescue cat, and came to us when she was three years old. For the next fifteen years she lived with unfailing gentleness and dignity. Then one day, her front legs just stopped working. She couldn't stand or move herself at all. The vet tried for two days to save her, and we were carrying her to her food, to her bed, and to her favourite spot in the sun. But it was clear she couldn't go on, and we had to say goodbye.

She has a little soulmate, Snuffly, who followed us home seven years ago and stayed, despite all our efforts to find her owner! Now, Snuffly is sick too, with some kind of neurological problem. The vet is treating her with antibiotics and steroids in case she has an infection causing swelling of the brain, but it's a long shot, and we're afraid she's not going to make it. It looks like we may soon, too soon, be faced with the same decision again.

But I know that time WILL heal, for us as well as for you, and I absolutely believe that it is better to have our friends and lose them than not to have them at all. One day, we will be happy again - not because we've forgotten, but because we remember.

My very best wishes.

Brian....I am so sorry to hear about Muffy. And Janet, I am also sorry to hear about Romeo,and also sorry to hear about Cassie Rubbles,PollyAnna, and Norty, and all the other beloved cats who have passed on. I am so terrified of that happening to one of my cats...especially Merlin, who I love like my own child. I am afraid I would just fall apart if something happened to him. He wants to go outside so badly, so I let him go out some, but I constantly worry. I don't think I could handle it if he were hit by a car or something. We live on a big farm, and not much traffic on the road, and it is not real close to the house, but I still worry. But I hate forcing him to stay inside when he so desperatly wants out...and we have a few other 'outside' cats, and he likes to go out and play with them.
Sorry to get off the subject....
Brian, I will say a huge prayer for your little Snuffly, and I sincerely hope she gets better!! Please let us know!! And welcome to the site, by the way...I hope to see you around alot.

Thank you, Debby, for those kind words. I know what you mean about Merlin. Muffy used to insist on going out, and she would actually sit in the road! We were bags of nerves trying to watch out for her! When we next moved house, our top priority was that our new home be cat-safe! The estate agents thought we were very strange...

In the few hours since my first post, we have figured out that Snuffly is now completely blind. We knew that the brain condition had taken the sight from one eye, but neither we nor the vet had realised that the other one was going too.

We are still hoping and praying that the condition will stabilise. We know that, given time to adjust, a loved and cared for cat can be happy even if blind. The next few days will show whether she can go on, or whether she will continue to deteriorate. She is still eating, still following us around the house as best she can, and still curling up on laps, even if she can't jump onto them unaided any more. There is hope.

Thank you again.

Oh Brian, this is breaking my heart....poor little Snuffly. But you are right...a cat who is loved and cared for can still have a very happy and full life, even blind. She is so lucky to have you and your family to love her.
I pray she doesn't get any worse!!!!!!!!!!

Please let us know!

Deby - Snuffly passed away last night. Brian posted another thread about it here in the Bridge Forum.

Deb...thank you for telling me, I am so sorry to hear this...I will go find the thread now.

AnnD,
I am sorry to hear about your loss. I'm sure Max is thanking you now for ending his pain and suffering. I'm sure the last thing he wanted to do was leave you. But sometimes it's a little more than we can take. It sounds like he did give faith a fighting chance...a few times.

Please share your thoughts with us.

Forrest's Mommy

She was going on a trip, but if you are out there Ann, How are you doing? Hope you are doing well!

I'm still here-I can't get away till April.
I still miss Max so terribly. During the day I can distract myself and go to the barn where I have my horse(thank goodness for her in my life-she's a sweetheart and loves people, at least when they're not on her back!). They have 3 real sweet kitties, so I get my kitty fix there. At night though-that was when he really snuggled up to sleep with me. That's the hardest to take, when I really know that he's gone. Then I think about how he was so sick and what it was like when he died. I do wish we had a way to shut our brains off.
I have appreciated all the kindness here. I'm so glad I found this place.
Ann

I'm glad I found this place too!

AnnD,
Well, if you think about it, the hard part is over with. Watching your loved one suffer...it's all over now. You know they are in a better place with no more pain. But I know where you are coming from also. I was greedy at the beginning. I wanted Forrest back here with his Mommy & Daddy. I missed him too much to just let him slip away from me. But I feel better now knowing that I gave him the best life I could and that he knew we loved him tremendously. I don't think an animal could ask for anything more! So hang in there AnnD, you'll pull through this!

Best Regards,
Forrest's Mommy

Originally posted by AnnD
During the day I can distract myself and go to the barn where I have my horse(thank goodness for her in my life-she's a sweetheart and loves people, at least when they're not on her back!).
Ann

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Ain't that the Truth - my horse is the same way - one person horse - What kind of horse do you have - I have an AppaLOSER.:tounge2: