Said goodbye to my little cat,.Catsby today..
As of a month ago, he was his sweet old self..Then he stopped eating & started losing weight..Our vet gave him a CT scan revealing cancer that started in his intestines and spread quickly over his body..The prospects were very poor,, especially since he was up in age...We held out to the last minute with palliative care, making sure he was in no discernible pain, but to no avail. The day finally came where we had to put him to sleep, and it's so very sad. 
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Catsby
Back at you.
You're the best.
Last edited Thu Dec 2, 2021, 09:08 PM - Edit history (1)
He was an unusual little guy. The only.cat I ever met who wasn't afraid of vacuum cleaners. 
I appreciate it..
for your very kind words. Everyone here has been wonderful.
for your very kind words. Everyone here has been wonderful.
You're right, it's not at all easy. Thanks so much for your kind and caring words.
RIP, Catsby. It sounds like he was a truly beloved companion and friend.
He was a real sweetie..Thanks for your kind words.
and I appreciate your kind words.
for your very kind words.
I appreciate it.
My hope is that the pain will subside one day and you'll be able to smile when you remember Catsby's antics. It's always so hard, but I'm glad you were able to make that decision for him.
You're so kind..It was very hard, in this case, especially because though he was very weak, wasn't eating, and could barely move,, he was lying next to me peacefully, while I pet him, seeming to be in no pain at all. I was very tempted to simply let him go, naturally, but my fear was that he really WAS feeling bad, and might, like another cancer suffering cat I had, suddenly go through a lot of pain at the end.
So yes, I guess I did do the right thing..Thanks again for your hood thoughts, piddyprints. I really appreciate them.
Knowing that he had love and caring from you throughout his life should bring you peace. His favorite spot will always bring a sadness to your heart, but a smile to your lips.
This picture is beautiful..It brings tears to my eyes.
Thank you.
Your name is so close to my Catsby. 
for your very kind and very caring response. I appreciate.and admire rescuers so much..Catsby
came to us through a woman who rescued cats..Like all my remaining fur kids, a dog.and two more cats, he was quite a gift.
As for cancer, yes, it's taken two dogs and two cats from me over the years. I might be wrong, but it almost seems like an 'epidemic' of sorts.
Thanks again, hamsterjill, for your very kind and thoughtful words.
He was a big, fluffy orange dude with a very loud purr.
Sweet and very mellow, he always seemed to have a zen-like cat smile on his face. As I mentioned upthread, he was the only cat I ever met who was totally unafraid of vacuum cleaners..If he was in a room being vacuumed, he would, instead of running under the couch, just stand a short distance away and watch me...He was special.and we loved him a lot
I love Tuxedo cats and have one of my own named Bobo..He, however, is terrified of vacuum cleaners, so i'm guessing it's some special quality of character.
for your very kind response.
I don't know Lady Bast, but your kind empathy is very much understood.
You know it when they start to fail. And you know their pain and suffering won’t make them miserable any longer. And you try to find some comfort in that. But it really doesn’t do much for easing YOUR pain.
I so so so get that. Too many fur babies have left their paw prints on my heart.
All my sympathy and empathy.
expressed my feelings EXACTLY...Thank you so much for reaching out to me.
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that probably every DUer - heck, millions of us, in and NOT in DU, has had to go through this kind of loss, and intimately knows and has endured the heartbreak you’re dealing with right now.
I swear, that unwelcome thought pops up with every new kitten - or even an older kitty - coming into my life. I know how it ends, and how unfairly soon that end is gonna come. I know I’m only gonna have just so much time with ‘em before they leave me. Shit, just writing these thoughts is making me choke up. And I just want to grab them and hold them close to my heart (or under my chin) that much longer.
You do not mourn alone.
'and thank you for that encouragement. The outpouring of empathy here on this thread, has been wonderful and help e a lot
I've actually been through this a number of times myself myself, but it seemed worse this time -- The older I get, the harder it seems to hit me. Maybe it's an age- related mortality reminder. Now that's THAT's a happy thought! 
Okay, time to leave The Gloom and Doom..I. read your profile and see that you.live you n Oregon....Lucky you!.. Do you live in Portland?.. A friend of mine moved there s few years ago.
Having lived in the Sam Francisco Bay area many years ago, I grew to truly love the Pacific Northwest.. Almost got to move back again, but a close family member came down with a severe illness and that threw a wrench in the plans.
Oh well, I guess I should.be going now..Thanks again, Calimary, for your very kind thoughts.
Wow..Significantly different environments, right? I've been in Southern California a couple of times, but always preferred the Bay Area, and the Pacific Northwest generally. Sounds like you made a good move!
With all its problems, no one can fault this country for a lack of geographic diversity.
You're right, they never are with us long enough ..Thanks again for your kind response.
I appreciate it.
for sharing your story, and for your kind response.
...but things do get better. Gatsby would be grateful you did the right thing by him and you'll always have great memories of him.
no matter how much we know it's the "right" thing to
to do...Thank you so much for your kind thoughts.
so kind as to share you're condolences. Love you all.
I hope it helps to know that Catsby had a beautiful life and didn't suffer long when he became ill.
Catsby
and all we can do for them is the best we can. Thanks so much for your kindness, femmedem.
Like you, I.have four kitties already gone, and sadly, it doesn't seem to get any better with time or experience.
I do have two kitties left with me who have both lived, quite healthily, to the ripe old age of 16..I mention that in hopes it might ease your mind a little about your sweet 14 year old.
Thanks so much for sharing your kind thoughts with me, Grasswire..I appreciate it. .
it is one of the worst days imaginable. I lost my cat Ziggy to cancer 6 years ago on 12/6. I still miss him every day. Fur babies are a true part of our family.
Please take care of yourself during this stressful time. There are tons of pet parents here on DU who are wonderful emotional support, and I am grateful for that.
As I told TB above, I've been through this numerous times, now, but it never gets easier. That said, I wouldn't want to live without my little fur babies.
You are so right about the wonderful emotional support I'm getting from the great people here..Thanks so much to all of you for taking the time to reach out. :
It seems my experience is identical.-- one dog, and now, three cats. The older I get, the worse it feels, for some reason..Thanks so much for your kind response.
Last edited Sat Dec 4, 2021, 11:52 AM - Edit history (1)
for your very kind, responses to the loss of my little guy, Catsby...It has helped so much.