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We had to have our kitty, Tiger, put to sleep last week. She was an old farm cat, but we'd had her for 13 years. She "belonged" to my oldest son, but when he got moved out, there was no place to take her and she'd always been on our small ranch property, so she stayed with us. And then when he got married his wife is allergic to cats, so she continued to stay with us. She was an ornery old cat. When we first got her, she did NOT like people, so was happy to stay outside. As some of the other cats we had died off or just disappeared, as farm cats do, she mellowed out some and decided we weren't so bad and enjoyed coming in to eat, laying around a little and getting her 
belly scratched. But she always enjoyed being outside. A couple of weeks ago, I noticed she had started walking kind of sideways. By the next day or two, she was falling over when she tried to walk to fast to the door to come in for food and when she jumped down from the deck railing she would fall. After about 3 days or so of that I decided it was time to go to the vet. I had already taken Cheyenne (my heeler) into the vet the Friday before and found out she had heartworms and would have to 
undergo treatment, and didn't really want any more bad news, but she needed to be checked out. When we took Cheyenne in for her treatment on that Monday, we also took Tiger with us. The vet said she knew for sure she had an ear infection, but couldn't tell for sure whether she'd also had a small stroke or some other neurological problem. And while they could treat the inner ear infection, it was possible she would never walk right again. Which of course meant she could not defend herself or get away from anything that might try to attack her. (I'd already had to rescue her from a cat fight the night before) And last year, she'd gotten attacked by something, (we never were sure what) that had ripped her back leg open almost to the bone. We didn't think she would live through that, and it did take several months for it to heal enough for her to be able to use it to walk again, but she kept right on plugging. But this time, the vet said she had way outlived her life as an old barn cat and she didn't think she would get through this. To add to the problem, this was on Monday and on Thursday we were leaving for some volunteer work, so she would have been on her own for a little. So the vet suggested having her put to sleep, which we had already discussed. But I couldn't make the decision, so my hubby decided it would be better for her sake. This was one of the last good pictures I got of her back in May. So now, Cheyenne is missing her buddy. They had played some and slept some together. Cheyenne thought she needed to round her up, after we sold our horses, which Tiger did NOT appreciate, but otherwise they got along fine. The other cat in the second picture is Garfield, my youngest son's cat that he had just taken to live with him about 3 weeks before. Garfield and Cheyenne did not get along, but he and Tiger were pretty good friends and Tiger had been missing him, too. But it was time to let Tiger go.
We had to have our kitty, Tiger, put to sleep last week. She was an old farm cat, but we'd had her for 13 years. She "belonged" to my oldest son, but when he got moved out, there was no place to take her and she'd always been on our small ranch property, so she stayed with us. And then when he got married his wife is allergic to cats, so she continued to stay with us. She was an ornery old cat. When we first got her, she did NOT like people, so was happy to stay outside. As some of the other cats we had died off or just disappeared, as farm cats do, she mellowed out some and decided we weren't so bad and enjoyed coming in to eat, laying around a little and getting her 
belly scratched. But she always enjoyed being outside. A couple of weeks ago, I noticed she had started walking kind of sideways. By the next day or two, she was falling over when she tried to walk to fast to the door to come in for food and when she jumped down from the deck railing she would fall. After about 3 days or so of that I decided it was time to go to the vet. I had already taken Cheyenne (my heeler) into the vet the Friday before and found out she had heartworms and would have to 
undergo treatment, and didn't really want any more bad news, but she needed to be checked out. When we took Cheyenne in for her treatment on that Monday, we also took Tiger with us. The vet said she knew for sure she had an ear infection, but couldn't tell for sure whether she'd also had a small stroke or some other neurological problem. And while they could treat the inner ear infection, it was possible she would never walk right again. Which of course meant she could not defend herself or get away from anything that might try to attack her. (I'd already had to rescue her from a cat fight the night before) And last year, she'd gotten attacked by something, (we never were sure what) that had ripped her back leg open almost to the bone. We didn't think she would live through that, and it did take several months for it to heal enough for her to be able to use it to walk again, but she kept right on plugging. But this time, the vet said she had way outlived her life as an old barn cat and she didn't think she would get through this. To add to the problem, this was on Monday and on Thursday we were leaving for some volunteer work, so she would have been on her own for a little. So the vet suggested having her put to sleep, which we had already discussed. But I couldn't make the decision, so my hubby decided it would be better for her sake. This was one of the last good pictures I got of her back in May. So now, Cheyenne is missing her buddy. They had played some and slept some together. Cheyenne thought she needed to round her up, after we sold our horses, which Tiger did NOT appreciate, but otherwise they got along fine. The other cat in the second picture is Garfield, my youngest son's cat that he had just taken to live with him about 3 weeks before. Garfield and Cheyenne did not get along, but he and Tiger were pretty good friends and Tiger had been missing him, too. But it was time to let Tiger go.
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6 comments:
So sad, but you did the right thing...may she rest in peace. It's so hard to lose a beloved animal.
Thanks Sassy. Yes, I hate doing that, but you have to think of what´s best for the animal, too.
My heart goes out to you Kay. I'm so sorry for your loss. I was given this poem when I lost my pet some time ago. Hope it helps ease the pain. - CT
The Rainbow Bridge Poem
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together...
Author unknown...
So sad, Kay! I'm sorry you had to part w/ your wonderful kitty! Hugs!
Thanks CT and Graciela. CT, I had seen that poem before, but thanks for reminding me of that. Thanks.
I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. Pets hold such a dear place in their owner's hearts. We had to put our black lab down back in October. We miss him dearly and keep photos of him in our loft.
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