No-one would take my cat for free, so I have a new offer for you all. I will pay you to take my cat! Help me out - I will make you an offer you can't refuse - I promise. Yes, it's that bad!!!!!!
We took kitty to the vet and apparently she has a "mass" in her intestines. For a mere $300 they can do an ultrasound and try to see what it is. However at her age, the vet told us, it doesn't really matter what it is, because they won't do anything about it anyways. Needless to say we kept our $300.
Too help make the poor little kitty feel better, the vet told us to start gradually switching her to soft food. She has been on dry food her entire life. She also gave us a laxative to give to her. Now, I am no dummy, so it seems to me if we already have a problem with her not eliminating her hard turds into the cat litter - really - is making them runny a good ideal?
The vet said she was concerned about how skinny kitty is - and she needs to eat more - and the soft foods will help - and we have to consider the quality of her life, - and blah blah blah. Being the selfless person I am, I was thinking the entire time "what about the quality of my life?"
To make a long story short, out of guilt we followed the advice of the veterinarian (the $100 advice - thank you very much) and gradually switched her to the soft food, (although we skipped the laxative - I do have my limits). Sure enough as expected, my quality of life has gone way down! It is my worst nightmare come true - I will spare you the description!!!!
So it seems to me we have three choices here - as the status quo is not working for me - at all.
1. Buy a very large crate which will become her home. (I would still have to deal with the mess, but at least it would not be on my carpet.)
2. Introduce her to the outside world which would be her new home - (she has never been outside since we got her over 15 years ago and probably would not last long - although - she still has her claws.)
3. Put her down. (At the moment this still feels a lot like murder to me - but a few more days of this and...after all, the vet said we do have to consider the quality of her life - which is about to decline very rapidly if this keeps up!!!)
Do you think they make Depends for cats? How about nursing homes for cats?
What to do, what to do????
Hi CM,
ReplyDeleteI read your blog this evening about your cat, and unfortunately have to decline your offer to take your cat off your hands with pay. My cat is very anti social and dislikes other cats or dogs within its eyesight.
Having been owned and controlled by both a dog and a cat over the past 20 years, I know well your dilemma on how to deal with the current situation. I currently have a very loving cat that is now 7 yrs. old that chose me at the pound 4 years ago. He does all he can to show how much he loves me, with lots of attention, purring, and even massages on occasion. In return he gets fed well, taken to the vet when necessary, and can sleep 22 hrs a day if he so desires. However, it is understood that should his quality of life become harsh and undesirable, he will be put to sleep rather than allowed to suffer.
Four years ago, I had to say goodbye to my dog owner Sheba, after 17-1/2 years of faithfully taking care of me. She became a part of my life when I turned 40, and my two kids felt that I needed a puppy to take care of me. Over the years, we became great friends and companions and experienced a lot of life together. However, 4 yrs ago she could no longer take care of me, nor herself. She could only stand up for a few minutes at a time on her own, before falling over and laying in place for several hours at a time. Though she still wagged her tail at me, and showed all the love she ever had for me, I had to make the decision to let her sleep peacefully rather than suffer quietly. It was a very difficult decision, but one that felt was right considering her condition and age. As I softly petted her, the vet gave her an injection and I could feel her relax as I watched her slowly close her eyes for the last time. Mine teared down my cheeks as I choked back the sobs at the loss of a dear friend.
Today my cat takes care of me very well. I expect a long life together, but if/when that quality of life ceases, and suffering or disability takes place for him, I will do what is best for my good friend and say a very tearful goodbye as the vet puts him peacefully to sleep. Even as I write this, he is curled up next to me, sleeping with a light purr letting me know that he’s there for me.
Sometimes we have to do what is necessary.....not what we want.
Caring1 (Dan)
(Sigh) I know Dan! I got the same talk from one of my friends who also had to put her dog down.
ReplyDeleteI have come to terms with it - but Hubby hasn't yet. However, since I have just delegated the cleaning up responsibilities to him and he now gets to spend his leisurely Saturday morning with the carpet cleaner, I am thinking he may come to terms with it soon. lol
All kidding aside (humor keeps me sane - I hope no one is offended by it), it is really hard to say goodbye to our pets and I especially don't like to be the one to make the decision to put them to sleep. But you are right - it's better than letting them suffer. (sigh again)