Making hard choices for pets you love

[packman]

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As one who had to make that final decision , it is heart-wrenching to let go of one that only offered unconditional love and overlooked all that human weakness of character that one is prone to.

A read about making that trip to the vets with your companion-

https://longreads.com/2017/11/01/how-much-is-too-much-to-save-a-dying-cat/

[lagomorph777]

1. My heartfelt condolences to you.

It is the most painful thing most people will ever do.

[In_The_Wind]

2. I still cry over those trips but it was the kindest thing I could do to repay the love they gave.

[snacker]

4. This.

The most thoughtful and compassionate statement I have read in a long time. Thank you.

[Arkansas Granny]

3. That heart-wrenching decision is the final act of kindness you can give a beloved pet.

It still hurts.

[SonofDonald]

6. Yes it's so very hard when you know it's time

My cat, Kittymonster may have cancer and we are still in the diagnosis stage, she looks and acts normal but she's losing weight, after a diagnosis of thyroid problems she's on meds now and is stable.

But still losing weight, when my other half gets back from her sisters in three weeks we're going to have an ultrasound done to better see what's going on, if she has cancer they'll give her prednisone which works well, for a while....

Cats don't survive cancer, chemotherapy is available but it won't save her, I will have to make the decision when to let her go and I will not let her suffer, she's not just a cat, she has been with me for sixteen years now, she is no different than any other member of my family, just smaller, orange and wooly.

She had a horrible kittenhood, she was a rescue from a meth lab house, she had been brutalized and had suffered frostbite that ended up taking her tail, she has patches of skin where the fur grows in a different pattern than the rest, the fact she survived all that is amazing.

And she's been the most loving, calm, non-catlike cat I've ever known, she's my little girl.

I read this recently, "What's the hardest part of pet ownership?, the goodbye".

And then I'll go to the animal shelter, and bring home two more to love and spoil.

[leftynyc]

7. My heart breaks for everyone

who has faced this. But they depend on us to know when it's time.

[FM123]

8. I am so sorry for your loss and heartache.

My beloved pet is elderly & sick, I fear the day that I must make that choice.

[tammywammy]

9. My 15 year old had surgery a few weeks ago for bladder stones.

We did all the tests to make sure he could have surgery. He did well while put under and woke up fine. I took him to an animal hospital to watch him overnight, since he still had a catheter until the next day. Overnight he started having issues breathing. He was put in a special cage for oxygen.

The vet called and told me to hurry. I was so confused. Like this article mentions, the guilt. I did everything. He had all the tests. An ultrasound of his heart, special blood test from Columbia Vet School. Everything. I knew he was confused. He was agitated when I got there, but settled down to rest when I started to pet him.

I sat there all day with him. I cried a lot. His vet came to see him. I told her I wanted him to have a chance to recover, but I didnt want to prolong any suffering. She said to wait 24 hours, that's what she would do. So I did.

During his second night he started to recover. They weaned him from oxygen. By 6am when I called they said he was eating. It wasn't his time yet. He came home at 2pm.

I know he's old. I know it'll happen. But I didn't want it to be this. I didn't want him to die after I put him through surgery.

He's asleep on his pillow on my bed right now. He's taken his medicine and eaten. That's his spot during the day whether I'm home or not. His last blood test came back excellent "as good as a two year old". So I have more time.

[Bantamfancier]

10. Just want to add.

As the father of a daughter who is just starting her first year in vet school, we have had many conversations about how you handle these situations. Please remember those people who help you with that final visit. The vets and all the people in the clinic may be able to detach and act professional, but it still gets to them. All have their own pets and know that they too will need someone when that time comes. It takes a very special kind of person willing to dedicate their lives to caring for our furry friends.

I so wish the rainbow bridge DID have visiting hours.