My Family Lost Our Cat Today

[Hayabusa]

He'd been diagnosed with FIV and Feline Leukemia around three years ago and had seizures most of his life afterwards. On Monday, he suffered another seizure while I picked my mom up from her work, and my grandmother was there to see it. She comforted him. It wasn't for a while until we realized that he wasn't recovering as quick as he usually did. Instead, he just kept on laying on the bed in a daze.

We rushed him into the vet and left him there. He was stabilized and stayed the night so they could do bloodwork and an x-ray.

Last night, after I came home from D&D, my mom said that she had finally gotten news from the vet: the bloodwork was horrible and both diseases had begun to run completely rampant through his body. The vet spoke with my mom about putting him to sleep and we agreed to meet with them this afternoon to say goodbye.

Then, around 10:30, my mother called them and got bad news. Possum (that's his name) had taken a turn for the worse and they doubted that he would be able to last until 5:00. She called me and we rushed over to the vet, where we spent our last twenty minutes with him until we let the vet take him back to put him to sleep. All three of us agreed that we couldn't watch it happen.

We had him for 12-13 years, and thus knew that this day would come for a quarter of his life. It still doesn't make it any easier, obviously. We're remembering all of the good times: the jumping into the bathtub with us, the leaping out of his cage on the way to a vet visit only to want back in the house two minutes later before my mom even left, and the time he slept on his back in an open window using a potted plant as a pillow. That last one is the one that gets the most laughs.

Well, DU, thanks for listening. I think I just needed to tell someone that wasn't family.

[Call Me Wesley]

1. Safe passage to Possum.

May he be free from suffering. Peace and comfort to you and yours, Hayabusa.

[abq e streeter]

2. My condolences on your friend and companion's passing

It obviously was Possum's time,and I'm glad you have fun and funny memories of him.

[Crystal Clarity]

3. Reading your words about the memories

has ME tearing up... and probably many other DUers. I think most of us can relate to that kind of sadness in ways that many other people might not. There are so many of us Kitteh (and dog) lovers here.

But I hope you can at least take some comfort in knowing that you gave Possum a wonderful life and he knew how much you loved him. You did all could.

RIP Possum and a big :hug: to you.

[guitar man]

4. Sail on Possum, safe passage

I know all too well how you feel right now, peace be with you and yours :hug:

[driver8]

5. RIP, sweet Possum.

I'm so sorry for your loss -- it is never easy to say goodbye to such special members of our families.

[Roon]

6. I had to put down two of our cats within months of each other..

I can't be there either, but I will come and see them right before.

See you later, possum. RIP

[foxfeet]

7. I wish him safe passage and peace and comfort to all who love him.

[KittyWampus]

8. Furbabies just don't live long enough. Though they live long enough to steal our hearts

[kayakjohnny]

9. Awww... I'm sorry. Sounds like you had some good years together.

These stories always make me think about the pets I've loved and lost as well.

I'm wondering how I'll handle the loss of my wild little black swamp cat.

He's older, but doing well.

His character is like no other critter I've known.

That'll be a real tough day for me, I know. He's such an affectionate little bugger.

All the best, Hayabusa, to you and your family.

[Forkboy]

10. Sorry to hear that.

:(

[nuxvomica]

11. I'm so sorry, Hayabusa

Peace to you and your family. :hug:

[Ikonoklast]

12. Thank you for giving Possum a good life.,

He knew you all loved him.

[GreenPartyVoter]

13. I'm so sorry. :^(

[SoxFan]

14. ...

:hug:

[SammyWinstonJack]

15. I'm so sorry.

:hug:

[bigwillq]

16. I am so sorry for your loss.

:hug:

[applegrove]

17. So sorry you lost your friend. I can tell he was well loved. vibes to your family.

[tourivers83]

18. I am so sorry.

I know of no pain as bad as losing a pet. More than a pet, a member of the family, a friend that gives so much and asks so little. I believe that a person’s dogs are waiting for them at the bridge to show them the way across. And I am sure that cats could do that just as well.

[Hayabusa]

19. To everyone who posted

Thank you very much. I'm sorry about the pets you've lost as well, recently or not. I got an e-mail from the vet who diagnosed him just now: she's a professor at a vet school near Boston and I looked her up to tell her. She thanked me for letting her know. I read the e-mail aloud to my mom, and that seemed to make her a little happier.

Whoever said that pets don't last long enough is right. You're also right that they live long enough to steal your heart. Possum was primarily my mom's cat and he'd sleep on her bed at night, curled up in a ball no matter what the temperature was.

I feel that we did give him a good and happy life; because I know for a fact that he gave us one.

Thank you, everyone. I'll relay the good wishes to the rest of the family tomorrow.

[kimi]

20. Condolences to you and your family

Sounds like Possum had a long and loving life, which is a wonderful thing for a kitteh. Sharing the loss, really, in my opinion in the past, has eased the pain, cause so many others have been through it and have been wonderfully supportive and caring. I hope you all can find comfort and peace in memories and knowledge that Possum is at peace. I really do believe that my departed pets wait for me somewhere beyond. It eases me to feel that way. Hugs.

[Contrary1]

21. I am so sorry

It is very hard to let a furry friend go. I have cried even with ferals that I have lost.

I hope you find peace, remembering the good times.

:pals:

[one_voice]

22. So sorry for your loss..

peace and comfort to you and your family. :hug:

[ThomCat]

23. I am very sorry.

Even knowing that you are going to lose your dear pet doesn't make it easier. :(

:hug:

[libodem]

24. Very sorry for your loss

I put my kitty to sleep this year. She was at least 20 if not 22 or 23. I miss her very much.

[emilyg]

25. Safe journey Possum.

[laundry_queen]

26. I'm sorry.

Losing a fur baby is so hard. hugs to you.

[crim son]

27. I understand.

We recently lost our polydactl kitteh, Benben. He lived with my ex after the divorce but I loved to visit him. He kept me company when my life was most miserable and his absence leaves a hole in my heart. I love the vision of Possum relaxing on the potted plant. If there is an afterlife and even if there isn't, our sweet kittehs are always with us. So sorry for your loss, Hayabusa. :hug:

[blue_roses_lib]

28. thoughts and prayers to you

:hug:

[Minimus]

29. I am so sorry for your loss... it is hard to lose a beloved pet.

:hug:

Possum will live forever in your heart and through those wonderful memories you shared.

[Minimus]

30. computer hiccup... dupe post delete

[xchrom]

31. may Peace be with you and yours at this time. nt

[raccoon]

32. BTDT. Sorry to hear this. :hug: nt

[WillParkinson]

33. My sympathies for your loss...

:hug: is the best I can offer.

[joeybee12]

34. Oh, the poor thing...but at least you had him for a good long time...

:grouphug:

[hamsterjill]

35. Please accept a hug from me!

I am in cat rescue and I know how hard it is to find loving homes for those cats plagued by these horrible diseases. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for loving him and giving him a home for the time that he was with you!

Cats with Felv and FIV can have many good years, particularly with good care. It looks like Possum was a very lucky guy IMHO.

I wish you peace and comfort as you cope with the loss of your friend!

[Hayabusa]

36. My mom just read this thread

It brought her to tears, all of the well wishes and sympathy. She's taking it especially hard since she lost a dog five months ago (I didn't post about that one and we're not looking for sympathy right now for him) and then Possum passed away.

Once again, thank you all for your thoughts and well-wishes. We really do appreciate them.

[ceile]

37. So sorry about Possum

:hug:

[carlyhippy]

38. Poor Possum, my condolences

They are truly family members and it hurts just as bad when we lose a pet.