Another pet question

[phoebecat3]

my 9 year old kittie died last Tuesday. Actually we had her put to sleep. We noticed her breathing was a little different and her appetite was off. She would not eat Fancy Feast. So I made an appt w/ the vet. Evidently she was really sick, the vet said her tongue was blue and she needed emergency treatment. The cost would be through the roof and of course no one would accept payments. Cash or credit card up front. We couldn’t afford it so we made a really hard decision, based on the vet’s diagnosis-beginning of congrestive heart failure and lungs with fluid. the vet made comments like if you would’ve brought her in …this would not have been an emergency. I did not need to hear that at that time. I needed comfort. I know that vets have a business to run but to no be willing to work with you in an emergency is sad. No I have so many guilt feelings. I cry a lot and it’s been a week. I’ve prayed and asked for God’s forgiveness because I know those of us who have furry family members have a responsibility to keep them as healty as possible. We did not know she was THAT sick. Please someone pray for me and pray that Phoebe is not upset with us.

 

[TarAshly]

I know exactly how you feel. When the old lady (Brandy, our 16 year old cockerspaniel) died in January the vet was cold and would not accept payments. He made the same comment about bringing her in sooner. I prayed to St. Francis for comfort and talk to Brandy in my prayers. All we can do is love them unconditionally, as they did us. You are in my prayers, it gets easier I promise.

 

[phoebecat3]

thank you so much for your kind words. They made me cry. I really miss my precious Phoebe and it makes it worse to think it’s our fault. We really think if we knew earlier we would’ve made the same decision. Just one night’s treatment was going to be almost $900 then the vet wanted us to take her to the vet school which is major bucks!! I can still see her little face looking up at me when I hugged her good bye. I am heartbroken. I hope our next vet ( we will not go back) will be a little more understanding. I know their job is tobe an advocate for animals but what about us too?

 

[TarAshly]

Anytime friend. I miss Brandy with everything I have in me, that never goes away, but over time we forgive ourselves. Did you ever have to fuss at Phoebe for doing something bad? didnt she forgive you the very next second. Thats how animals are, they love us to no end no matter what we do, they are loyal to a fault. Im sure Phoebe misses you and loves you but I promise she is not angry at you, how could she be? you loved and cared for her for all those years. God Bless you and comfort you in your grief, hey I bet my Brandy is chasing your Phoebe around right now, she loved cats!

 

[Zooey]

I am so sorry for your loss. I know how horribly sad it is to lose a pet, they are part of your life.
It is important to remember that animals love us, regardless. Phoebe would never blame you! In fact, it may have been easier for her to go, having been with you right up until she was so sick, that she was not happy any more.
That said, you need time to heal from your grieving, before you can look at this without feeling guilty. This should not make you feel yuou are doing something wrong; Phoebe deserves to be remembered by folks who weep for her, & miss her so!
I truly believe that our pets gain immortality from us! (C.S.Lewis wrote about this, somewhere). Phoebe is happy now, & she has no more pain or weakness.
I pray for my precious Lily cat to St Gertrude of Nivelles, who is the patron saint of cats & those who love them, asking for us to be able to be together for a long time yet, because I love her so…St Gertrude can help you mend your broken heart…If you would like another person to talk to, my Daddy’s name was Charlie, & if cats were not going to Heaven before he died in 1949, I know he has been letting them in every since, he loved them so. Just ask Charlie to take care of Phoebe for you, & do all you can to live so that you will be able to join her someday, with our Lord.
God bless you.

 

[juno24]

PhoebeCat, I am so sorry to hear about your cat. I do know the feeling of having to put a beloved pet down, and I think about the prospect of having to do it again (my cat Beau is 16 years old and it declining health). I can not imagine your vet making you feel like you were at fault! How heartless! I am sorry you were made to feel that way. Please know that you did the best you could. Cats are notorious for hiding illness and injury until it is often too late to help them, so I don’t know how you could have been expected to notice something she was not showing you.
Again, please accept my condolences on your loss.

 

[DILCIA]

I am sorry to hear about your cat. I’ve had a lot of cats in my life and it’s always hard however they leave us.
I believe they will be in heaven, not because they have a soul like human beings, but like we will have all creation, trees, plants etc
My cat is called Lily. Apparently cats like names that end in ee sound and like to hear us say it.
They like to keep going in and out so they can keep an eye on their territory, but only stay out if something interesting is outside.
I will say a prayer for you and your family to heal.

 

[wacky_wonderful]

Please go to petloss.com and read the poem The Rainbow Bridge Story. There’s also a canine and feline version relating to 9-11. Fictional, but comforting nonetheless. I can never read it without crying.

We will see our “babies” again some day. I can do without a lot of things, but puppy love and kitty kisses…gotta have those!

 

[Autumn]

I am so so sorry for your loss. I had to put my girl kitty to sleep about a year and a half ago and I still miss her terribly. I agree with Juno24; cats are notorious for hiding sicknesses and that’s what the vet told me at the time. I wouldn’t have noticed anything until it was too late.

My old man cat is 17 years old and in declining health; kidney issues and a bad heart. I have a wonderful vet though - very understanding. We’ve agreed to just let him be - no more tests or tubes. He’s at home now and he mostly just sleeps and eats but he’s happy.

Your kitty is in a better place and I believe pets do go to heaven. Frankly, it wouldn’t be heaven to me if my furry family wasn’t there waiting for me! God bless you and I’ll keep you in my prayers.

 

[ora_pro_nobis]

I am sorry for your loss. My own dear cat Buki had to be put down just before Christmas at the age of 14, due to kidney failure and hyperthyroidism. It was a horrible decision to have to make, but the vet was very kind, and even wrote me a note afterwards to say I had made the right decision.
I am interested that there is a patron saint for cats! I will pray to St Gertrude for all of us who have lost pets recently.
God bless,
Pat

 

[Dorothy]

phoebecat3:

my 9 year old kittie died last Tuesday. Actually we had her put to sleep. We noticed her breathing was a little different and her appetite was off. She would not eat Fancy Feast. So I made an appt w/ the vet. Evidently she was really sick, the vet said her tongue was blue and she needed emergency treatment. The cost would be through the roof and of course no one would accept payments. Cash or credit card up front. We couldn’t afford it so we made a really hard decision, based on the vet’s diagnosis-beginning of congrestive heart failure and lungs with fluid. the vet made comments like if you would’ve brought her in …this would not have been an emergency. I did not need to hear that at that time. I needed comfort. I know that vets have a business to run but to no be willing to work with you in an emergency is sad. No I have so many guilt feelings. I cry a lot and it’s been a week. I’ve prayed and asked for God’s forgiveness because I know those of us who have furry family members have a responsibility to keep them as healty as possible. We did not know she was THAT sick. Please someone pray for me and pray that Phoebe is not upset with us.

You certainly were not negligent in any way. It wasn’t very nice of the vet to try and put a guilt trip on you. Even we don’t run to the doctor with every sniffle and sore throat, because most of the time a little care and the cold goes away.

And, you are not expected to pay large sums of money to keep your beloved pet alive a bit longer.

It does hurt to lose a dear pet, and I hope you feel better soon. They are God’s gifts to us, and give us a lot of pleasure.

 

[sconea]

You really have my sympathy. It is so hard to have to say goodbye to them. I am always comforted by the verse in the bible that says a sparrow doesn’t fall to the ground without your Father. He knows and understands. I also recommend the pet loss site. It can really be a comfort. God bless.

petloss.com/