Otis

Yesterday I had to have my beloved pet, Otis, an 11 mo old, rescued from the pound, put to sleep. It was just about the hardest thing I've ever had to do. About a month ago I wrote in the forum about his disease, Megaesophagus . About 1 week after we adopted him we noticed he was having a hard time keeping any food down. Thanks to my wonderful, caring vet, we did some testing and he found the disease which is VERY rare in cats. At that time he told us it was life-threatening and that there would come a time we'd have to make this decision. The past few days he would throw up anything he ate, he was losing weight rapidly, losing his fur, didn't want to be held, petted or rubbed. Originally he was a VERY affectionate cat so this indicated to us that he was in pain and couldn't stand the human touch. The enlarged esophagus was pressing on his heart and lungs making it difficult for him to breathe. Yesterday morning, he came to me and laid on my lap and just put his head down. I knew it was time. I called the vet and took him in immediately. I had filled out the papers a while ago so I could give him all my attention. I chose to stay with him so he wouldn't pass alone. Chris, my vet, was the kindest and most tender human being. He cared not only for the well-being of Otis but to my feelings and grief. I held Otis in my arms and told him how much I loved him and would miss him and felt his life leave his body. I'm comforted by the fact that we did everything humanly possible to give him a good quality of life for the two months he was with us and that he no longer is in pain. I am so glad we adopted him and cared for him. I know he is in a better place and he will always be in my heart.

Bless you for doing this and loving Otis enough that you were able to read his eyes and know it was time. My thoughts are with you as you deal with his passing. I am sorry that this happened, but you are a wonderful pet owner for understanding what needed to be done, even if it was the hardest thing you have had to do.

I'm so sorry to hear about Otis . You did the right thing & it will take time to heal.

-safron

what a great person you are for rescuing and caring for him - he will smile down on you! I'm so sorry....

You were Otis's angel when you adopted him, and I'm sure you now have a kitty angel watching over you. It had to be very hard for you, but you made the right decision. If he was in pain, then it was best for him.

I'm so sorry for your loss...

Otis was one lucky little feline to have found you. I am so sorry, but you did the most loving thing that you could.

I am so sorry to hear about Otis. I remember you posting about his condition a while back. It's wonderful that you provided him a loving caring home for the short time he was with you.

It's never easy to say it's time to let go but it's often for the better. You know that you did the best you could for him and his last moments were spent with people who loved him.

To all of you with kind and loving words, Thank You!
Sharing with people who understand what it is to loose a pet especially by your own hand is more of a comfort than you will ever know. I'm so grateful to have found this site during his illness and that now in my sorrow I am embraced by people who don't even know me. God gives us the grace to have a pet in our lives and I truly believe that Otis is one of God's little angels. Again, thank for your kind words.