My cat is in his final stages. He is lying at my feet.

[Horse with no Name]

I don't even want to go to bed because he is so content. Very restful. He even ate a little tonight.
In the morning, I will take him to the vet--even though I know that his final days are here and there probably isn't anything that can be done.
He is almost 20 years old.
He has lived a very good life.
He has a tumor on his face. It is hard to see, but it is there.
He hasn't been acting himself for the last week, and tonight he has a very raspy meow and has suddenly developed hind leg paralysis.
He dragged himself in here to lie at my feet. The very least I could do is stay here. :cry:
Here is my big guy. I hope he has an easy journey.

[enigmatic]

1. .

:hug:

[PBS Poll-435]

2. I don't know what to say that will comfort you.

My dear Tiger, a 14 year kitty left me a long time ago. And I still miss him.

[Spacemom]

3. What a beautiful big guy

I'm sorry you're having to go through this. :hug:

[theNotoriousP.I.G.]

4. How sweet

that he wants to be close to you in his final hours. I hope your kitty passes peacefully Horse with no Name. :hug:

[Heidi]

5. Peaceful passage, beautiful boy,

and comfort to you, Horse With No Name. :hug: :hug:

[Frosty1]

6. Beautiful cat

:hug:

[sarge43]

7. CAVU, Big Guy.

:hug: Horse. It's tough saying goodbye to a friend, especially one you've known for so long.

[Maine-ah]

8. re: hind legs

he probably threw a blood clot...aka heart attack. It's exactly what happened to my boy. :cry:

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

9. Beautiful cat.

RIP, Big Guy.

[Call Me Wesley]

10. Safe passage to your companion.

May he be free from suffering. Peace and comfort to you and yours. :hug:

[texanwitch]

11. What a beautiful kitty.

My Tuna will be waiting for you.

:cry: :pals:

[UrbScotty]

12. Aww, I am so sorry. He is so beautiful.

20 years sure is a long life for a cat!!

Take it easy, Horse.

:hug:

[fizzgig]

13. what a handsome boy

rest easy, big guy

:hug:

[laylah]

14. I am so sorry,

Horse With No Name. What a lovely cat he is. Safe and easy passage, baby :hug:

[dembotoz]

15. he is beautiful-i am so sorry.

[Horse with no Name]

16. Update

We made it through the night. I didn't think we would.
We just got back from the vet.
They did x-rays and he has a compression fracture of the pelvis. His bowel and bladder function are intact--which is a good thing.
We are trying some high-dose steroids and see how he does.
I will keep you all posted.
Thank you all for your kind thoughts.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

17. That's great news!

Maybe he's not quite ready to go yet. :hug: for you and kitty.

[fizzgig]

18. that's wonderful news

:hug:

[RevCheesehead]

20. Thank you for sharing this Christmas miracle.

And bless you and your beautiful cat. :hug:

[sarge43]

23. A Christmas blessing - the best kind

:hug: for you and Big Guy. Be well.

[GoCubsGo]

24. Yep.

Nice to have some good news when so many others are enduring losses or enduring unpleasant times right now.

[marzipanni]

25. Horse with no Name, I hope Cat-whose-name-I-don't-know feels better!

I'm so glad to hear he hasn't run out of lives.

I've always wanted a big, grey, gorgeous-dense-fur, yellow eyed cat- he's beautiful!

[GreenPartyVoter]

26. *hugs for you and kitteh*

[Minimus]

29. Oh goodness, I hope he recovers quickly.

[musette_sf]

19. edit - glad to hear the good news

Hoping for a miracle for you.

You are blessed to have had him for 20 years. I lost my sweet Cleo last month and she was only 9. I wish she had had the chance to stay longer.

Compression fracture MUCH better than stroke.

good vibes sent to you and Kitty.

:hug:

[graywarrior]

21. Oh no!

Sweet baby kitty.

[Ikonoklast]

22. My thoughts are with you, and your big handsome kitty.

May he live in health for another twenty years.

[Odin2005]

27. I hope your kitty makes it out OK!

:cry:

[kimi]

28. Hoping for the best for your kitteh

He's a beautiful boy.

[Kajsa]

30. I'm so sorry,Horse with no Name.

He is a very handsome guy, and wanted to be
with you.

I went through this last March with my Darwin,
also a male kitty.

Your kitty,you and your family are in my thoughts
and prayers.

:hug:

[warrior1]

31. He's a tough kitty

So are you.

Much love and xo's

[jus_the_facts]

32. All the best to you and your baby....

:hug:

[Whoa_Nelly]

33. what a sweetheart guy

no other words :hug:

[Horse with no Name]

34. Another upbeat update

We started high dose steroids yesterday. He is at home. He is able to drag himself where he needs to go (even to the catbox--bless his heart)--he purrs and is being his social self again. He has always been very vocal and has started talking to me again.
His appetite is excellent. He is starting to respond to the steroids tonight.
Earlier today, I THOUGHT I saw him move his tail spontaneously.
Wasn't sure though.
Tonight, he definitely moved his tail AND he responded to pain on his back legs when I pinched them.
Hopefully tomorrow will be better for him.
THANK YOU SO MUCH for all of the kind words, thoughts, and prayers.
I will keep you updated on my big guy--his name is Finnegan.

[emilyg]

39. Hugs for Finnegan and you.

[kimi]

42. That's so nice to hear

I hope everything continues to go well. All the time they can spend with us, and we with them, enriches us. Best wishes to you and Finnegan.

[sarge43]

44. Thanks for the up dates.

Finnegan, figures. Irish, tough as bowling balls.

[TZ]

45. Oh I'm so glad Finnegan is better'

Modern vet medicine is wonderful!:) btw I have two gray kitties with bright yellow eyes that look a lot like him..:hug: :hi:

[Kajsa]

46. That is good news!

:-)

I'm keeping the good thoughts and prayers coming
to Finnegan and you!

I'm so glad he's doing better!

:) :hug:

[snailly]

35. Just read your updates!

Awesome and fantastic! Keep us updated! :)

[GoddessOfGuinness]

36. Knowing it's time doesn't make it any easier, does it?

We just had our dog euthanized on Wednesday. I hold you and your beautiful cat in my thoughts...

[applegrove]

37. So sorry.

[Blasphemer]

38. Beautiful cat... You have my sympathy

My cat is only a year+ so I have many more years with her but whenever here time comes, I know that I will be heartbroken. It's not easy losing friends.

[crim son]

40. A sad OP with a happy turn.

I love it. I wish you and the Grey One much more time together!

[es350_ibm]

41. nice cat. Hope he goes peacefully

[PlanetBev]

43. Glad you got to spend so many years with your dear friend.

It's so painful to lose a beloved pet.

Best to you at this difficult time, Horse.