24 years, 6m, 6 days old. We had him from the time he turned 6 weeks of age as mum had repeatedly rejected him. Owner forced her to nurse a few times a day as well as supplemental bottle feeding. She finally had him completely weaned onto wet foods by the age of 6 weeks when we took him.
He went into convulsions suddenly. He'd been...not good, for a few days. Not wanting to eat much. Still drinking and pottying. Not wanting to walk much. Weakness. He'd recovered from this exact thing 4 times in the past two years. I'd simply bring some pureed freeze dried raw several times a day, and 3 or 4 days later the cat we thought actively dying would suddenly meet us at the door like nothing was wrong. So why would this time be any different? Until the convulsions. Even then, I was thinking "oh, he is just trying to get back up, and legs jerking. Refusing to realize. Thank all the gods my husband told me "We can't do this to him". I reluctantly agreed euthanasia may be an option. I realize now, I didn't want to admit it was the end for him. He was old. He was sick. And he was Tired. And I didn't realize it. Or more refused to realize it. Husband forced the issue. Thankfully. Because I was selfish enough I don't think I would have been able to make that decision. Because ever since I have had a hollow place inside, other than a center of pain in my chest. We bury, so in the winter they go into a freezer until the ground thaws. And the hardest thing physically I have ever done was close that freezer door. I can't even go into it to get meat out now. He has to do it. I can't. And I miss him so very much :'(
He went into convulsions suddenly. He'd been...not good, for a few days. Not wanting to eat much. Still drinking and pottying. Not wanting to walk much. Weakness. He'd recovered from this exact thing 4 times in the past two years. I'd simply bring some pureed freeze dried raw several times a day, and 3 or 4 days later the cat we thought actively dying would suddenly meet us at the door like nothing was wrong. So why would this time be any different? Until the convulsions. Even then, I was thinking "oh, he is just trying to get back up, and legs jerking. Refusing to realize. Thank all the gods my husband told me "We can't do this to him". I reluctantly agreed euthanasia may be an option. I realize now, I didn't want to admit it was the end for him. He was old. He was sick. And he was Tired. And I didn't realize it. Or more refused to realize it. Husband forced the issue. Thankfully. Because I was selfish enough I don't think I would have been able to make that decision. Because ever since I have had a hollow place inside, other than a center of pain in my chest. We bury, so in the winter they go into a freezer until the ground thaws. And the hardest thing physically I have ever done was close that freezer door. I can't even go into it to get meat out now. He has to do it. I can't. And I miss him so very much :'(