Further Light and Knowledge

It was so sad - his kidneys quit working.

He was in a lot of pain and our entire family is upset. I took him in as a kitten. I was inside and heard a sound like a baby crying. My son and I went out to investigate the sound and found him stuck in the briars behind our house. He looked like he was maybe 5 weeks old - tiny.

As our efforts to find him a good home failed, this solid gray furry bundle of joy quickly became part of our family. My neighbor told me his siblings were all dead, including his mother. Apparently, someone had dumped them all out down the road where we lived but somehow, this little guy made it to our backyard where he got stuck in the briars and was crying his little heart out.

So, our family had the privilege of being with him for six and a half years. He was very, very chill. He never got into trouble - never scratched, never meowed at night. We had him "fixed" at five or six months of age - maybe that helped his disposition - I dunno. He was just a very relaxed but very loving cat. Not the type of cat that would annoy you, demanding to be loved. Our other cat does that (ha).

Yesterday I noticed he was walking really slow. When I picked him up, he was really not himself. He was so lethargic and nearly lifeless. We rushed him to the emergency veterinarian. The veterinarian was superb and immediately put him on an IV to get him hydrated but it was too late or maybe it wasn't even preventable.

It was really sad to see him so sick and helpless. The veterinarian told us we had made the best decision but that she was unable to tell us what to do when she was consulting with us. I had to make the phone call and I didn't anticipate crying - but I did.

He's gone and we'll all miss him and we'll all be so grateful he was a part of our family.

Here's a photo of him taken two months ago doing what he loved, sleeping on my bed (ha).

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It's good to talk about these things and to sort out the messed up mindfuck we were in.
- SIMS

I'm so sorry, Floater. (((Floater)))

So sorry, Floater.

Had to put my big beautiful boy kitty down just before Thanksgiving. He was the first cat I'd raised from a kitten.

Betcha your kitty and Duffy are running around together wondering what the hell their people are doing typing on a dumb message board when we could be doing cool stuff like chasing mice or rolling in catnip.

You did the right thing.

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People Who Don't Want Their Beliefs Laughed At Shouldn't Have Such Funny Beliefs.

Awww, so sorry, Floater. We lost our 8-year-old kitty to kidney failure too. Soooo sad. Still makes us cry three years later.

Thanks everyone

(group hug emoticon goes here)

_________________
It's good to talk about these things and to sort out the messed up mindfuck we were in.
- SIMS

Floater...I'm so sorry to hear about your cat. What a beautiful creature...

I know what it is like to become attached to beloved pets. We have two cats in our family, each with very unique and interesting personalities. They are both still active and healthy, despite being 12 years old, but it can't be very long before we experience the same sad loss you just experienced.

I recently finished reading Dewey by Vickie Myron. If you enjoy uplifting and touching stories about animals, you would love this book! It is about a cat named "Dewey Readmore Books" that was adopted by the Spencer, Iowa, Community Library, and how he greatly touched and enriched the lives of not only the staff and patrons of the library, but also the entire community of Spencer for the 19 years of his life.

Awww Floater I'm crying as I type this. Cats make wonderful pets. My DH doesn't understand how pets become part of the family and that you can become attached to them. They just aren't animals. My heart goes out to you. (((((Floater))))))))

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"I love all the bretheren, but I love some a hell of a lot more than I do others." - J. Golden Kimball

It's like you're in The Church of ANTI-CHRIST of Latter-day Scribes and Pharisees.

Floater, I'm so sorry for your cat and your family. There's nothing dearer to my heart than a pet. Thank you for taking him in and giving him love and safety and happiness.

One of my little buddies had a heart attack in October. I couldn't do anything and he died while I was trying to give him chest compressions. He was only 5 and a half.

Floater, I've been through exactly that as well, and I still miss that kitty fiercely. I've got a new feline friend from the pound, who is a different rascal altogether. I know our old friends are irreplaceable, but it's nice to let new friends into our hearts when we're ready.

((Floater))

So sorry about your cat.

Thank you leftofcentre, Gunnar, Liberal Mormon, notpotable, MrsDoubtfire and Leukarktos

I put his basket away yesterday - we kept it in the living room. Every time I saw it empty I felt sad.

He was a joy, and I want to be more like him, the way he was so easy going and chill.

But then, he probably didn't drink as much coffee as me either.

Love you guys!

_________________
It's good to talk about these things and to sort out the messed up mindfuck we were in.
- SIMS

That sucks man. I've had to put down more than one cat over the past 5 years. It sucks balls every time.

The pain goes away and the happy memories remain.

No words, just sympathy. Without my "fuzzy buddy" I would be lost.

Just seeing this, Floater. What a beautiful cat, and I love the way his paws curl into each other--so cute.

I'm sorry for your loss, but I echo what Rico said. Condolences to you.