The DU Lounge
Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsGoodbye to Evita. Today the last of my cats crossed the rainbow bridge.
WE never really knew her age since we knew she was about 2-3 years old when I adopted her foolishly. She was a beautiful cat but she was feral for years. But she loved being an indoor cat as long as nobody bothered her.
Abbott went last year, liver tumor. Evita seemed to be doing fine after Abbott was gone but she was starting to slow down these past weeks. I got her into the Vet today, which is a challenge because when she was healthy I couldn't even pick her up to get her into a crate. My Vet understood, she was an indoor cat and never exposed to anything that was outside other than me.
To start her teeth were in bad shape. She's had dental work done twice before but she hated dry food. The only way I'd get her to eat any was to mix it in with the soft food. She also had a lump on her too.
I know for some of you pet owners you may lamblast me for my decision. But it would have taken about $1k-$2k for all the tests and work that would be needed for her and then no knowledge of how much time she would have left. So at this time we felt it was best to let her go. She's a cat that maybe would have had another year left living on the streets but I gave her 11 more years of life and they were good ones. She would love it when my mother would mail to her an envelope that had a catnip treat in it, one mom would have bought at the local farmers market. (I have video of her trying to rip it out of the envelope from one she got about 2 months ago).
So rest in peace Evita!
rocktivity
(44,585 posts)I PMd DUer CatWoman in hopes that she could help. That was TEN YEARS AGO?
rocktivity
Brigid
(17,621 posts)You did the kindest thing you could for Evita. Safe passage to Evita, and for you.
TexasTowelie
(112,658 posts)It seems like you did the best thing you could in this situation and that she lived a long life. Most cats from a feral background only live 3-4 years so she was very fortunate to adopt you and vice-versa.
irisblue
(33,053 posts)Lynne, I would have made the same choice, anyone who would judge you is just wrong. I am sorry for your loss.
GreenPartyVoter
(72,386 posts)LoveMyCali
(2,015 posts)just tears, so sorry for your loss.
La Lioness Priyanka
(53,866 posts)Liberal Veteran
(22,239 posts)You gave her a wonderful life.
joeybee12
(56,177 posts)Phentex
(16,334 posts)and did the right thing. So sorry for your loss. It hurts to lose family.
In_The_Wind
(72,300 posts)She's probably frolicking with Abbot just over the Rainbow Bridge.
Chellee
(2,104 posts)She was a beautiful cat. She was also an elderly cat, and with her temperament she wouldn't have tolerated the treatment happily. Why make her utterly miserable to get, at the outside, a year? What good would that year have been if she spent it being unhappy? You did the right thing. You have my condolences.
Fla Dem
(23,875 posts)When the time comes for my Baby Girl ( who was also a feral) I hope I too can make the right decision.
Arkansas Granny
(31,540 posts)shenmue
(38,506 posts)mike_c
(36,281 posts)You know, some of us might have reached a different decision, or we might not have. That's really not the point, is it? Good on ya LynneSin for adding those safe and happy years to Evita's life, and for caring enough to help her pass humanely.
brer cat
(24,646 posts)It is hard to lose our furbabies. Pass gently, sweet Evita.
mwdem
(4,031 posts)It's the hardest decision to make, but you made the right one.
KamaAina
(78,249 posts)No translation necessary.
KG
(28,753 posts)magical thyme
(14,881 posts)You gave her a wonderful, loving home for 11 years. And you did the right thing to spare her suffering at the end.
rurallib
(62,478 posts)our sympathies.
MrMickeysMom
(20,453 posts)Isn't it wonderful that you gave her 11 more years? I think it's wonderful that you decided to do that, more than she could have had, loved in your home, and in return
you know how much you loved her.
countryjake
(8,554 posts)I'm remembering all of the funny stories you've posted about Evita over the years, warms my heart just now. One of the only reasons I ever found reason to drop in on the Lounge was to read about your kitties.
My two old ferals are quickly nearing that sunset time, not sure I'll be able to be as strong as you when the time comes, but I can hope. Giving a home to a wild cat takes so much more love and don't ever doubt that your kitty knew and felt that. Tears for you...
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,976 posts)nomorenomore08
(13,324 posts)We lost our both our cats in 2013, so I know what you're going through.
orleans
(34,094 posts)i'm sure you'll find each other again.
roody
(10,849 posts)petronius
(26,613 posts)I don't think cats imagine time the way we do, and they don't approach the end the way we might, straining for one more day, week, month. Every minute of her life was 'right now,' and you made all those nows happy, safe, and content. I'm sure she's thinking pleasant thoughts about you from the other side of that Bridge...
roguevalley
(40,656 posts)take care. Time will be your friend.
Number9Dream
(1,565 posts)My sympathy to you for your loss.
Skittles
(153,298 posts)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
LynneSin
(95,337 posts)then I read your poem and out came the tears again.
She was such a good cat even if she was a bit anti-social. The last year of her life she enjoyed sitting on the cat bed that was on the sofa next to me. It was her favorite place.
Thank you and thank you everyone
Skittles
(153,298 posts)I received a sympathy card from the veterinarian with that poem and........aw, they just take pieces of our hearts with them don't they?
meow2u3
(24,776 posts)Sorry for your loss, Lynne. You've been a great pet parent.
MH1
(17,635 posts)It's hard to say goodbye to a pet, but I'm sure you made the right choice.
BarbaRosa
(2,685 posts)Manifestor_of_Light
(21,046 posts)But you have 11 years of good memories.
BlancheSplanchnik
(20,219 posts)it's so hard to lose our furry babies. Pure love.
Baitball Blogger
(46,776 posts)I remember when you lost your last one. It never is easy.
peacefreak
(2,939 posts)I had to put my Luciano--Lucy down 2 weeks ago. He was with me for 14 years. If she was like my guy, she loved you. You were her person. The only injustice I can see is they left sooner than we did.
She was a beautiful, beautiful girl.