I had to euthanize my Gabby just after midnight. He was

[sinkingfeeling]

just diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy five weeks ago. As described in the literature on cats with congestive heart failure, a blood clod formed and paralyzed his back legs. He was very frightened and crying out. I rushed him to the emergency vet. He sounded like he was drowning while struggling to breathe. They said he was in the last stage of heart failure. I stayed with him as he went to his rest. We estimated he was 14 or 15. He was one of 4 stray Tom cats that showed up, one year apart, at my house in Fayetteville and stayed. I am down to the last one who was Gabby's BFF. I don't know what he will do without his snuggle buddy.

Somewhere in the photos in this group is a photo of my 4 semi-feral guys from back in 2010 or 2011. Happier times.

[SheltieLover]

1. Deepest condolences

[Siwsan]

2. I'm so sorry. You have my heartfelt sympathy

Having just lost two beautiful cats, I can honestly say I know how you feel.

[jmbar2]

3. I am so sorry

[[[Hugs]]] for your hurting heart today.

After some time, perhaps another kitty is waiting for a good home, and to befriend your lonely pal.

[zuul]

4. . . .

[onecaliberal]

5. I'm so sorry.

[sheshe2]

6. I am so sorry.

[Wingus Dingus]

7. I'm sorry about your sweet boy.

[Duncanpup]

8. Hugs

[MuseRider]

9. I am so sorry.

In the same game here, both me and my cat have cardiomyopathy.

My kitty comes and goes with it. It is always there, I always worry then it gets worse and I prepare. He usually wakes me up the next day wanting to eat. Just waiting for the inevitable. I will then be down to one feral and we are down to only one rescue dog. Time to rescue the elderly.

I am so sorry. It is the worst time ever, the hardest to get over. Our relationships with them are so precious. Please be well and easy on yourself. Gabby was lucky to have you and you were lucky to have him. Again, I am so sorry.

[alittlelark]

10. Hugs...

[Phoenix61]

11. I'm so sorry. nt

[Blue Owl]

12. My sympathies to you, sinkingfeeling

There's been a lot of that going around lately it seems.

A few weeks ago I had to send my beloved dog across the rainbow bridge -- he was older too so it wasn't completely unexpected, but still it is never, never easy and there's no way to avoid dealing with the stages of grief, the first few days are always the hardest. I've gone through a lot of boxes of kleenex.

Take comfort in the fact that your grieving indicates you are a loving, humane companion, and not some cold, emotionless, sociopath. You provided Gabby with a good life considering the alternative for most feral cats.

Even though there is pain when they leave, I still would never trade the experience of having my past and current (and future) pets, the years of happiness they provided and the fact that you chose to give them such good attention and care during their life, far outweigh the grief of departure. If Gabby was 14 years old, that means you had over 5,100 wonderful days together, so 30, 60, or even 90 days of immediate grief is small in comparison, and after some time and perspective you'll arrive in a place to be at peace with it.

Remember the good times, and no shame in shedding a tear or three in their honor...

[brer cat]

13. I'm so sorry for your loss.

[3catwoman3]

14. I'm so sorry to hear this.

One of our most beloved cats had this happen when he was only 2 1/2 - same presentation with the paralyzed hind legs. I thought it was something neurological and was shocked when the vet explained it was heart disease. Typically no symptoms until this devastating event.

I'm sure you will treasure your 14 years of memories.

[Solly Mack]

15. I'm so sorry.

[SharonAnn]

16. I was told that the clot paralyzing the back legs is extremely painful for the cat.

It happened to one of ours and she cried loudly all the way to the emergency vet and we had to put her to sleep then. It was heartbreaking but we couldn’t let her continue suffering like that.

[irisblue]

17. Gabby 🕯️I am so sorry for your and your whole familys loss.

[MontanaMama]

18. Please accept my condolences.

I am so sorry for your loss.

[Fla Dem]

19. So many recent heartbreaking stories of beloved pets. Makes me snuggle and hug mine even more.

My Baby Girl is also 15 years old. I dread the day, but live each day with her to the fullest.
My heart goes out to you and Gabby's BFF.

[niyad]

20. Lady Bast, please take Your Gabby gently home in Your loving arms, and send peace

and comfort to her grieving loved ones.

I am so very sorry for the loss of your precious Gabby.

[wryter2000]

21. So sorry

I have a feral I truly love. I have no idea how old he is. I can imagine how heartbreaking this is for you and the surviving kitty.

[AngryOldDem]

22. So, so, so sorry.

This is SO hard. Our tortie passed in exactly the same way.

Please keep an eye on your other cat. We had a dog at the time — we called the cat her big sis — and she went into mourning for awhile afterward.

[benfranklin1776]

23. I'm so very sorry 😿

It’s like losing a member of the family. May you be comforted by his continued presence in spirit, in your heart, and by the memories of the joy he gave you.

[CaptainTruth]

24. I'm so sorry...

Losing a kitty is always hard.

[tosh]

25. 💔

I am so sorry. 😢

[gademocrat7]

26. Condolences on the loss of your cat.

[calimary]

27. My sympathies, sinkingfeeling.

Just was there with our old girl Betty, a month ago.

Hugs of sympathy and empathy.

[Cozmo]

28. I'm so sorry, take comfort in knowing that Gabby is no longer afraid or in pain

[Ocelot II]

29. I'm very sorry.

And I can totally relate - the same thing happen last summer to my 14-year-old cat Jeoffry. He suddenly lost the use of his back legs and was crying in pain. Rushed him to the emergency vet, they said he had an aortic thromboembolism - same as your cat - which is usually a consequence of heart disease, and there was nothing that could be done. Sadly I had to let him go, and what was even sadder was that I couldn't be with him because of covid restrictions (though by then they had him heavily sedated so at least he wasn't in pain any more). Then I lost my other cat, Milo, to cancer only a month later, and I couldn't be with him either. It sucks. I'm sorry for your loss of Gabby.

[JudyM]

30. I know that feeling too, and reading about Gabby brought it all back.

We hurt for our beloved pets when they suffer and we show them love one last time by ending that suffering for them. My heart goes out to you. Wishing you peaceful moments in the midst of this awful grief.

[UpInArms]

31. I am so sorry

[hlthe2b]

32. So very sorry, sinkingfeeling.

We share in your loss because it echoes those that we've all experienced.

[Dreampuff]

33. I'm so very sorry for your loss

Our beautiful long haired little boy passed away September 2nd and we still feel lost without him. I'm not sure our little girl kitty will recover from losing him. He was 13 and a half and we had a similar situation to yours and I know just what you're going through and I'm so sorry.😭😭😭RIP, GABBY!

[Ziggysmom]

34. So sorry for your loss. I've felt that pain with many of my angels over the years.

Loving a cat blesses us with the happiest days of our lives, and one of the worst days. I treasure the memories of the happy days.