Thank you all, for yesterday. I’m sorry to have done a post-and-dash, but I wasn’t in the place to write an update or chat.
We had to put Pepper put down last night. It wasn’t an easy decision, but I’m at peace with it.
The ultrasound showed a stone which blocked her left ureter. There was a chance it could pass, if we gave her enough IV fluids and time, but she’d be in pain. Her right kidney, though, was enlarged and showed changes consistent with lymphoma. Her kidney function was non-existent.
When events are less “fresh”, peeps, I think I want to start a discussion about veterinarian care. You up for that? Don’t get me wrong; I’m grateful for the compassionate help we received for my kitteh, but I am puzzled by the animal health care model as our family has experienced it. I’d like to gain some insight about whether it goes amiss at times, or whether I need to adjust my expectations.
Anyway, hugs to all of you who relived your own difficult times around pet health and thanks to all of you who took the time to read and/or comment. I might be more lurky than usual, but I do appreciate it.
At least Pep’s no longer hurting. In the end, that’s what really matters.
((((((Jan)))))) I’m so sorry. It’s one of the hardest decisions a pet owner has to make. I still get choked up when I think of Maggie but it really is the last, best act you can undertake for a beloved pet.
As you say, Pep is no longer in pain. You have done her the greatest of kindnesses.
Hugs to you.
xxx
Jan – I’m really sorry about your Pepper. These kinds of decisions are never easy 🙁
You did right by her, Jan.
I’m so, so sorry.
Major (((((hugs)))) for you. I’m so sorry.
I’m sorry to hear about your loss. Must be hard, but it sounds like you made the best decision for her.
Not having grown up with pets, I never really understood the strong attachment people have to their animals, but then last year a stray cat decided he was adopting me and my wife and now I’m amazed to think I could ever had not known about the strong bond between pet and owner. Even just the thought of anything happening to him is upsetting for me.
Thanks for keeping us updated, and I’m so sorry about Pepper. But, on the bright side, she was surrounded by her family and thoroughly coddled in her last weeks, and really what more can you ask for at the end?
~Lia
So sorry about the kitty! big hugs to you. It hurts, but like you say, the pain is over.
I often wonder about vet care these days.
Take care!
Bonnie
Ahh…sorry to hear about your puss and the decision you had to make. Having a home with two cats in it, I understand the attachment, and the pain felt when one’s pet is in pain.
Really, really sorry for your loss.
I’m so sorry for you and your family, but I believe you did the right thing.
Hugs,
Teresa
Jan, I’m very sorry.
Aw Jan,
I’m so sorry to hear this. I’m sending you and fam lots of love and support.
And hail, the Pepper!
A brave and bonny girl,
gone to shores we cannot see.
You’ll meet her again.
xoxo
Jan- I’m sorry to hear about your furbaby. Pepper was a beautiful kitty. I imagine you’ll be finding her kitty hair around for a long, long time.
I think some vets just have more compassion for us humans than others. When I took in my 18 yr old cat to be checked because I noticed she wasn’t eating well and there was a lump on her chest he started talking about treating her and driving 5 hrs, one way, to the Vet School for chemo. I loved his enthusiasm but this was an 18yr old cat that had followed my 5 yr old brother home from school. As much as I loved her I knew that she, nor I, were going to be able to handle chemo or the round trip visits in the car. I told him that and he seemed relieved that he didn’t have to be the one to bring up the real issue. As the weeks went by more lumps presented themselves and her eating diminished. If it weren’t for the fact that she weighed 20 lbs she wouldn’t have lasted as long as she did and in fact, she passed away peacefully right after I left for work on the day before we’d scheduled to take her in to the vet for the last time. I think this practice was great with the animals but not so much with the people.
On the other hand, my best friend might have the best vet in the world. She’s lost 3 dogs in the last several years. Large breed dogs. Some with ‘issues’. She’s well known at this vet. One dog needed valium to just get in the door. One dog could only been seen by the female vets because he had ‘issues with men’. With each illness and subsequent death, both expected and quick, she has gotten flowers delivered to her house with a lovely message and later a pet marker with the dog’s name. This practice is great with both the people and the animals. It’s right here in my neighborhood and probably the reason why there are 4 kinds of vet practices here – theirs, the emergency vet, the vet specializing in dermatology, and the one that does eyes and ears.
Okay, this is probably way more than anyone wanted to know but I think that you learn a lot about people when they are faced with giving news/ dealing with end of life care. Nurses in the ICU do a great job. Docs who come in and say, “so, she’s gone,” – um, not so much. But that’s another conversation for another day.
Oh, I’m so sorry, Jan. She sounds like a wonderful kitty who had a lot of love in her life. Take care…
Thanks, all. You’ve been wonderful. I’m feeling the need to be away from the computer and pamper the other critters in my life at present – both of the human and furry variety. Don’t worry, that will include myself.
I’m so sorry for your loss Jan 🙁
But you did good. (((HUGZ)))
I’m so sorry for your loss. I admire the courage it took to think of her quality of life and best interests. In the end, you loved her just as much as she loved you. Grieve and remember all the good times you had with her. Take care of yourself.
Dear Jan… I am so incredibly sorry and heartsick over the decision that you have had to make. Dear little was, and will always be, a beautiful kitty. The decision that you made is a decision of pure love with no selfishness. It took gutts to make that decision. Many people cannot do that when the time comes. They do love their little ones, but, saying goodbye… and knowing it was their decision to send someone across the Rainbow Bridge is the hardest decision any loving person will ever have to make. I have had to make that decision myself… far too many times. When we truly love our animals, we know how they think and we know what they want at that time. You are loved, dear Jan, by all of us who have stood in your shoes. Be well, dear lady. I’d like to share something with you that, perhaps, may be from Pepper…
When I come to the end of the road and the sun has set for me
I want no rites in a gloom filled room, Why cry for a soul set free.
Miss me a little, but not too long… And not with your head bowed low.
Remember the love that we once shared… Miss me, but let me go.
For this is the journey we all must take and each must go alone…
It’s all part of the Master’s plan… A step on the road to home.
When you are lonely and sick at heart, go to the friends we know
And bury your sorrow in good deeds. Miss me, but let me go.
Be well, dear Jan, and Thank You!
Big {{HUGS}} to your and your family. My thought and prayers are with you. Having been there and faced with that, I can so empathize with you. Since yesterday, I have been giving my labradorable and his two feline friends lots of extra hugs.
And I am always up for a discussion of animal health care! It is one of my pet topics, so….
I’m sorry to hear, Jan!
It’s so hard to deal with the loss of a pet. I try to be strong, practical, and grown-up, but non of it works for me.
Big HUGS,
Ro
Jan,
I’m so sorry to hear about your cat. I’m especially saddened knowing how your heart must feel at making such a hard decision, but it was the right decision. You made a choice that was selfless and one that was truly in the best interest of your beloved pet.
Pepper is no longer in pain and was very lucky to have you and your family, and today, I’ll say a prayer for you that the pain in your heart will lessen with each day that goes by with you knowing how lucky you were to have Pepper.
Did I mention how much you guys rock? I do miss Pep, but a few days have gone by and I still can’t see how we could have made a different choice. That’s a great comfort right now.
And life goes on, right? The sun still shines, although not in Alberta for the last couple of weeks. 😉 Still, it’s there behind the clouds and will eventually melt our SNOW.