Today at 2:20 CDT my dear cat passed
I haven't been around DU much recently - the psychotic infighting and trolling got to me a couple of months ago but on the passing of my much-loved Butch, the Lounge and its patented vibes came to mind.
His kidneys failed and he deteriorated very quickly. He went from 16 pounds to barely 5 in a matter of weeks. There was nothing anyone could do. The weekend was very difficult and I knew the end was near. By yesterday he could no longer walk or stand. I wrapped him in a heavy bath towel and let him lay near a heat register in the bedroom this morning. Somehow he managed to crawl under the bed, where I found him when I went to check on him. His breathing was very labored. I rested my hand on him and quietly spoke to him, telling him how much I loved him and that it was OK for him to let go. A few breaths and he was gone.
I live alone, very alone, and am unemployed. Weeks go by when I don't have a face-to-face conversation with another human being. Needless to say he was my best and closest friend. I thought I had cried myself out over the weekend. I was wrong. I adopted him from a local cat shelter only two and a half years ago; he was a senior cat- about 12 at the time - but had always seemed so robust and feisty.
I already miss him more than I could ever put into words. Cross safely, my dear little friend. Bast always welcomes her own.
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I've been through it so many times, doesn't really get easier.
May your heart find ease quickly.
My kitty is my best friend, too. I lost two others in the past few years, and I know how bad it hurts. I am glad you decided to back here, although I wish it were under happier circumstances.
It may sound trite, but remember that he was happy and knew he was loved. And while the time feels short to you it didn't to him: cats live in the 'now,' and his now/always was with his person...
I hope you can find comfort in your memories of sweet Butch. I am deeply sorry.
They are more than what they are, and their companionship is priceless. I'm glad he was able to share in you life for the time that he did and that your memories of him comfort you in this time of sorrow.
and gave him 2 1/2 happy years, and a peaceful, loving place to slide away.
Your grieving makes me relive my grieving over the loss of my male cat, Puddin'head, years ago, and my black cocker spaniel, Buddy, also years ago. It's like your heart has been ripped out.
I got some peace in recognizing that I had given my babies a happy life after they'd had some very bad times. I also hoped there really was a Rainbow Bridge where they would wait for me.
You might find it helpful to get out just a bit around people. I know your situation is tough, but a walk in the park, going to the library, browsing books in a book store, power walking in your neighborhood, a free exercise class at maybe a local rec center (I have a local rec center that has a few exercises classes), a dip in a local public or rec center pool.
We here in Dallas have something called Meetups. Do you? http://www.meetup.com/DallasSierraClub/ is a link to show ours, and the Sierra Club meetup group info. Don't know if you'll be able to see it.
There are groups around here that meet to walk. They are various ages. It's free. All the groups are free. Your area probably has different groups that meet to do these things, for free, even if you don't have meetup.
Hope you find a job soon, and sending you vibes for that for & your grieving. It will get better. 
I'm so sorry, hifiguy.
I speak from experience with the recent loss of my dog, Gizmo: get another cat (or a dog) as soon as you can. It really helps to ease the pain.
It's never easy.
I have lost many fur babies. I write this as I sit next to 18 yr old Max cat, I need to have him euthanized this week. He's had a good life.
You gave Butch all a cat could ask for .... a loving owner that stuck with them to the end.
We lost three cats in five months two years ago. It was horrible. Take comfort in the fact that he loved you and you loved him and you made his life better.
I know the pain of losing six of my beloved cats, and it never gets easier to lose them. I know that when I lost Sammy at 20 last February, I was glad I had another cat to love on. It really does help to have another kitty around and I hope that after you go through the grieving process that you go down to the shelter to get another little kitty to keep you company. Much peace to you.
please accept my sympathies.
Hello Hifiguy.
I CAN'T SAY I "KNOW HOW YOU FEEL" ..... we all feel different when our beloved pet passes away.
3 years ago our lovely cats Sophie and Snickers both passed away. both of our kittys had cancer. SOPHIE WAS 13 AND SNICKERS WAS 5.
I think it does help to get another pet. I cried for weeks after we lost Soph and Snicky.
We adopted Annie and Taffy 2 months after we lost SNICKY. A month later we adopted a feral kitten, .... INKY.
5 MONTHS AGO... we adopted 2 more feral babies. SADIE & SALLY.
5 cats!!! 5 lovely kitten cats to adore.
********Take care hifiguy. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers********
ANNIE, TAFFY AND INKY
SADIE & SALLY
Grieve not,
nor speak of me with tears,
but laugh and talk of me
as if I were beside you.....
I loved you so --
'twas Heaven here with you.
--by Ilsa Paschal Richardson
I knew that I would find kind and sympathetic cat-loving friends here.
This is the second time in three years I have lost a beloved kitty to kidney failure. Both were adopted as senior cats. Max was with me for five years and two weeks to the day. After a few weeks of not hearing a meow when I came home I couldn't stand it anymore and went back to the same shelter, where Butch picked me out within minutes. The two cats even looked a lot a like though Butch was a Turkish Van about twice Max's size.
I know there will be another kitty here, and quite soon. One of the odd and wonderful things about cats is they always seem to know where other cats have been loved and treated well. It took Butch about ten minutes to look around and say "MINE!" when I brought him home. But I don't think I will take in another senior cat, as the thought of losing another dear furfriend in a couple of years is too much for me.
I am Asperger's (I explained myself to friends after my official diagnosis by telling people "think of me as Data from STNG" and it's true) and have never had an emotionally close relationship with another person, but my cats have been the loves of my life. I couldn't live with myself if I didn't open my life, such as it is, to another feline friend. So many cats desperately need people and I am a person who desperately needs a cat. How could I refuse a sweet face and a soothing purr?
Again, thank you all. And trueblue, your furkids are adorable!!
imo: old cats need love too.
Last edited Tue Mar 19, 2013, 08:11 AM - Edit history (1)
Been through it twice already---2 years ago my cat died at 19 and she was so tiny. I think my older cat is heading there because she's starting to show the signs---drinking a lot and urinating in places other than the litter box. It's so hard. You have friends here---and gave him a great life.
Thank you for adopting older cats--we do as well and my cat that died at 19 was 8 when we adopted her.
I'm so sorry for your loss. 
(and thank you for sharing your home with you furry friend, too)
When you feel like it, find another (in his honor, not to replace) and save its life. And tell it what an enormous litter box it has to fill.
Okay maybe not.
Seriously,
When I am gone release me and let me go.
I have too many things to see and do.
You must not tie yourself to me with tears.
Be thankful for our wonderful years.
I gave to you my love, you can only guess . . .
how much you gave to me in happiness.
I thank you for the love you have shown,
but now it's time I traveled on alone.
So grieve a while for me if grieve you must.
Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
It's only for a time that we must part,
so bless the memories within your heart.
I won't be far away, for life goes on.
So if you need me call, and I will come.
Though you can't see or touch me, I'll be near.
And if you listen with your heart, you'll hear.
All my love around you soft and clear.
And then when you must pass this way alone,
I'll greet you with a purr and say "Welcome Home!"
<<<<<<<<<<<<<VIBES>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Thank you for giving him a loving home for his last years.
We just adopted a 9-year-old kitty; I've always wanted to help out a senior cat, and I applaud others who do the same.
In addition, we have a 10-year-old and also an older kitty who has renal failure. I think this will be our last summer with him. We lost a 19-year-old cat last summer.
I feel for you. I do.