Not killed, Marina, just given the last, greatest gift we can give our best
friends.

I'm sorry sorry to read this, Marina.  But you know Nikki will be waiting at
the RB for him to show him where all the tasty voles hang out!  Purrs coming
that Frank will have an easy passage and your heart will heal quickly.

Hugs,

CatNipped

Oh, I'm so very sorry to hear that. That is probably the hardest thing we
ever have to do for our loved ones. It hurts so very bad, and leaves such
an awful hole in our hearts, but it is often the most loving thing we can
do.

I'm going to keep my fingers crossed, and the kitties will keep purring,
that the fluids will enable Frank to keep going for a while longer. When
DD first had to receive fluids, they worked wonders for her. She lasted
about a year and a half after that.

Whichever way it goes, know that you have our purrs and prayers and
profound sympathy.

Dan

{{{{{{{{{{Marina}}}}}}}}}}

You aren't having him killed, you are being placed in a the awful position
of giving the last gift you can - dignity at the end of life. It's a hard,
tough decision and I don't envy you the position you are in. If it was my
beloved Waffles, I'd be so distraught. 'Soulmate' is indeed the correct
term. The Old Gentleman is much loved.

{{{{{{{{{{Marina}}}}}}}}}}

helen s

I can't even think of any words to say that might make even the
slightest difference.  I just hope there is someone there who can
comfort you if you have to make that decision and if not that you can
get enough comfort from this group.  Tony is now 11 years old, and
thankfully still healthy, but I know he is old now and every time I see
a post like yours, I know I could be next and it pains me because I know
how it makes me feel and I know you feel tons worse and more scared.
Tony is my soulmate and I can't imagine life without him and just trying
to makes me scared and makes me cry.

And just trying to imagine a world without Frank in it does the same
thing.  You make Frank so real in your posts and your care for him comes
through very loud and clear.  More than anything, Marina, I wish for you
peace - peace about the decisions you are going to have to make in the
near future, peace that you know Frank is in a good place, and peace to
know you will make it through.

Bridget

Happy purrday, Miranda.

I'm so sorry to hear Frank is not doing so well, purrs that the fluids help,
I hope he he has at least one more summer on the island.

Oh, honey, I'm so sorry!  I'm still battling ringworm in this house.  Miss
Pua's cured, but now Tyrone and Chloe have it and it's just not going away.
She may very well be a carrier.

I hate to say let Frank go, but, gosh, you can't let him suffer either.  I
know how much this hurts.  My purrs are with you and I pray you get over the
loss as smoothly as possible.  Hug Caliban and give him a kiss.  Please hug
Frank for me, too.  I'm sorry.

kili

It is painful to us.  But it releases them from pain.  It is a gift, when
the time is right.

If Frank is not in pain, it might be alright to allow yourself a little more
time with him to say good-by.

I wouldn't treat Frank for possible ringworm infection at this point.

Sending purrs for you for the courage you will need to love Frank while you
can and to let him go when you must.

Jo

Oh Marina. {{{{HUGS}}}}

I am sitting here in tears reading this, and can only imagine how you
must feel. Please know that you and Frank are very much in our thoughts,
purrs and prayers.

Helen M

Hugs to you Marina.  Purrs and prayers to sustain you and help you make
the decision that's right for Frank, whatever that may be.

-Caroline S.

Oh Marina, I'm so sorry!  Big hugs concerning Frank. How sad to lose
both your beloved long-time friends in one year. =o( I'm so glad he had
one more summer on the Island with you, and bravely defended Mirmir
from the hissing shoelace.   I'm very glad you have Miranda and Caliban
to soften the blow. But I'm half afraid my TED will make a similar
recommendation concerning Pan in the not too distant future. It hurts
to see them so thin!

About Caliban... well the meds don't sound as if they'll do Frank any
good. Although I hope it will cure Caliban and Miranda for good and all

Many sympathetic hugs,
Melissa

Oh dear, Marina.  I hope Frank takes the fluids well.  If he isn't in pain,
he may well enjoy his life (despite the hoolikittens) for a long while.  And
you aren't "killing" him.  You're giving him a chance to see his beloved
Nikki again, when the time comes.  I know it's hard.  Your heart will hurt.
There's no getting around that.  But I know you'll do what is best for him.

Jill

Dear Marina
I am so sorry to read this.  I feel like I know Frank myself and I
understand how much you love him.  I hope very much that the fluids will
help him and give you some more time together.
You will know in your heart when the right time is, as I always did myself
with my beloved dogs and I found it helpful for a relative or friend to make
the appointment for me and also to drive me there and back as I could never
drive myself there or be safe enough to return for the storm of weeping that
always happened.
The trouble with having animals is that they ask nothing for the joy they
give you during their lifetime.  It's all free.  The price you pay in the
end is the grief when you have to let them go.  Some people think it isn't
worth it and never have another pet after losing one.
I think it is.
((((hugs))))

Tweed

Happy birthday to Miranda.

{{{{{Marina}}}}}  I'm typing through tears after reading that Frank is
slowing down.  Only you will know when it is time to let him go.  And it is
so hard.  It doesn't sound like he's suffering right now and I hope that you
can have a little bit more time with him to say goodbye.  My thoughts are
with you and Frank.

Susan M
Otis and Chester

(((Marina)))  I don't think there is anything I can say that others
haven't already.  I'll set all  of the furballs on turbo-purr for you
and yours.

Oh my.  Happy Purrday to Miranda!  

But how sad about Frank.  We are all here to hold your hand through
this.

Theresa
Stinky Pictures: http://community.webshots.com/album/125591586JWEFwh
My Blog: http://www.humanitas.blogspot.com

Make Levees, Not War

  I think I've stopped crying long enough now to reply.  Through you,
we have all come to love Frank very much.  It breaks our hearts to
hear this news but we'll continue purring and praying that the fluids
will help him and that he'll have much more time with you.  Hugs
a-plenty for you, Marina.  

   Jeanne

Aww Marina...I'm sorry Frankie is not doing well. First off the only advice
I can give you is that killing is a completely different thing. I just know
that I will never let it get to the point of my once proud kitties being
miserable. There have been at least two of our cats that we hung on too long
and it was horrible horrible horrible. I've never felt as badly as I did
with those two. I think you can tell if Frank is miserable or not. And ONLY
you can tell this. DOn't let them push you if you don't think it is time. I
think you will know if it is. I"m just so sorry that he isn't doing better.

I just wanted to add, remember "the right choice is not always the easy
choice". We all know that, but sometimes we have to think about it.
((((((HUGS)))))

Oh, {{{{Marina}}}}}.  I am so sorry.  Making that appointment is one
of the hardest things you can ever do.  But if Frank is in pain, has
no quality of life left, isn't eating or drinking, those are signs it
is time to give the last gift you can give him.

You are in my thoughts.

Ginger-lyn

Home Pages:
 http://www.spiritrealm.com/summer/
 http://www.angelfire.com/folk/glsummer (homepage & cats)
 http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~summer/index.htm (genealogy)
 http://www.movieanimals.bravehost.com/ (The Violence Against
                        Animals in Movies Website)

Birthday purrs for Miranda and feel better purrs for Frank and purrs for
yourself too
hugs
Lena

So sorry to see your message, Marina - why do our cat family have to age
so much faster than us? All I can add to what Karen said is that you
will know when it is the right time, not before, and when you know this,
it will make it a little easier to do. Can your vet do a home visit, so
you don't have to make an appointment or take him on the bus?

Nikki will be waiting for him at the RB.

And not forgetting - Hippo birdies to Mir-mir!

((((( Marina)))))

Deb.

Happy birthday Miranda!  But poor Frank.  He's had a grand life
though, with lots of adventures and love.

sending hugs and purrs.

Marina, I had to make the same decision re: Jazz. It isn't easy, but when it
comes to the quality of life and the comfort of our furbabies it wasn't that
hard to make the decision to let him go finally. You will find the courage
to make the decision.
Lily & her mama
Jazz, RB

oh no.  I'm so sorry to hear it.  Poor Frank.  Poor you.  It's too
soon.

Hugs,
Tish

BARNABUS:

*$#@ $%^)#@ <SHOVE, NIP, HISS> *)(#@) ME FIRST!!

Beautiful Miranda, I want to wish you a very happy purrday with lots of
treats and snuggles and a sunbeam for napping.  If I were there I would
give you very special headbutts and purrs.

Your most humble gentlecat, Barnabus

FROM THE REST OF US:

Miranda it's hard to believe it has been one year but we are all wishing
you the best with treats and chinscritches and headbutts and a specially
warm lap for napping.

Julie, Hobbes, Selena, Lacey and Sam

TO MARINA AND FRANK:

Sending all of the best purrs in our bodies that this is a decision that
you won't have to make for a while yet. When the time does come we will
be with you and cry with you and remember all the special memories we
have of Frank over all of the years.

Julie, Hobbes, Selena, Lacey, Sam and Barnabus

I still want to see if the fluids perked him up any, but I may have to
consider letting him go soon. But how do you make an appointment to have
your best friend and soulmate killed?
Marina
================================================
Purrs that he defies the odds. You take such wonderful care of him. I hope
he can make it to the Island one more time.
Suz&Spicey

Oh Marina, I'm sorry to hear the news isn't good. Many purrs for
him and for you and more purrs when the time comes. Your poor
heart, may you to be strong.

Oh Marina, what you describe sounds all too familiar to me. I had to make
that appointment today for my beloved Hugo Katt. Fluids didn't help him,
neither did medicine. May the purr of all good cats be with you and Frank
when the day comes.

I hope darling Miranda still had a good purr-day.
Elisabet

((((marina))))) we a re purring and praying for you at this difficult time;
we all love unka franky and know how much we will miss him.

OMG, i'm so sorry to hear this Marina,

It's very very hard to have to make a decision like this.

We had someone have to make that decision at the clinic today.  Kuni
was 14, a diabetic and was just diagnosed with an abdominal mass.  And
today was the day he and his hoomins were going to moved to Colorado.
So what can you decide?  Do you say goodbye now?  Or try some
medication that will only buy time and take your chances with the move.

Kuni's owners opted to end his suffering.  It is not an easy decision
at all.

But whatever decision you make, please know that we are all here for
you.  

Purrs from CA from Imp and Mischief

Kristi

Marina, we're sending the strongest healing purrs for Frank across the
Atlantic. We know you will make the right choice for him, for you love
him deeply.

*hugs*

You watch that friend ceasing to be himself, and finally you
say, "This can't go on."

I'm so sorry that day is hastening on.  You have done such a
good job of sharing him with the group that we're all going to
hurt some when he goes.

Cyber hugs are not usually my style, but this news makes *me*
feel like a need a hug, so I can imagine how much you need them.
Here's slightly tearful one:  {{Marina}}

{{{{{{{{{{{{ Marina and Frank }}}}}}}}}}}}
Words fail me.  You know best the right thing to do for Frank and when the
time comes, I know you'll do the best for him.  It's so sad to have to
contemplate this so soon after Nikki.  We're purring and praying that Frank
perks up enough to resume kitten training soon.
Sam, closely supervised by Mistletoe

Oh girl.  I'm so sorry to read this.  Frank is such an integral part of our
cat group.  I know we'll all be diminished by his passage to the Rainbow
Bridge.  You'll know.  Frank will tell you when it is time to let him go.
Fortunately he and Nikki set you up with Mere and Caliban so that you won't
be as lonely after they leave.  It'll hurt like hell, but we'll hurt with
you.

<<<<<Marina>>>>>

Pam S. crying

Happy birthday, Miranda!! May you have many more!

That nasty ringworm! Maybe the virus is somewhere in the environment,
like the carpet or something. I hope it gets eradicated this time
around.

I am so sorry to hear about Frank. I do hope the fluids help him into
the new year, at least. But, my dear, giving him the ultimate gift is
so much easier on both of you than a terrible decline that tears your
heart out.

When I gave the Gift to Amber, it was a heart-rending decision; but I
felt better afterward. No guilt about did I do enough for him, or what
ifs. I couldn't bear him suffering anymore with only a slight chance
of living. And he was ready to go. So I said my goodbyes to him and he
gave me kitty kisses and purred and then wanted to go. But he is still
in my heart. And I know that he is not suffering. He will meet me at
the Bridge.

Frank has blessed you with his love and trust for all these years.
What a wonderful gift. Soon he will need to go join Nikki, where they
will both be young and healthy and happy. Now it is your turn for the
gift of love. Many hugs and purrs,

--
CATherine

I hope Miranda had a nice b-day. I'm sitting here crying again, reading
your message and others' replies. It feels now like "killing", but when
the time comes, you will know, and not feel that way anymore. He's had
such a good life with you.

[...]

Marina, I love Frank. He was one of the first cats I read about here.
(He is also named after one of my personal heros.)

You face the hardest decision we can ever have in life--when to
let a loved one go when we have the power to release them from
suffering.

His eyes will tell you when he is ready to go. And I hope you have
some compassionate vets there who will come to your home.
It made it much easier on me and on her when I lost my girl at age 20 to
have them come to us and put her to rest right on the end of
our bed, where she slept.

(((((((((((((Marina)))))))))))))

Joy

I'm so sorry Frank's not doing well. But in my experience, they tell you
very clearly when they've had enough. You will be able to do what Frank
needs if he asks you, but I still hope he's happy enough to stay at home
with you and his furry pals for a while longer. There seems no point in
treating him for ringworm - I wouldn't be doing anything that won't help
his quality of life.

Purrs for you and Frank... this must be such a difficult decision for you.

hugs,

Kathryn

Even when expected, such news is still terrible.

You are so close to Frank that you'll know when he tells you he's had
enough.
Then it will be your privilege to give him the kind gift of a gentle and
dignified
relief from this "vale of tears".

Maybe your vet would do a home visit so he could pass in familiar
surroundings
amongst his loved and loving ones?

You'll be constantly in our thoughts

Purrs
Gordon & the FF

I'm so very sorry to hear about Frank, Marina. You have given him the
best life possible, and he is loved by every single person and kitty on
rpca. Even now you are thinking of him first and not you, therefore you
could not be further from "killing" him, you are trying to spare him
the pain and uncomfort. We are hoping and sending best wishes that the
fluids give you both more quality time together. Your love for him
could not be more evident.
Lots and lots of purrs and gentle hugs,
Polonca and Soncek

Oh Marina, I was in the same situation, two years ago, with Fenda. It IS a
hard decision, but you are a strong woman. With Fenda, the fluids worked for
a few days, then she went downhill again. Look at Frank, if he's enjoying
life, eating, drinking, enjoying a cuddle, then it's not yet time. If he's
unhappy, then it is.

Whatever your decision, my thoughts are with you.

Love

Jeanette

Gentle hugs and scritches for you and Frank.

Oh man, serious purrs on the way for Frank.

lal

I'm so sorry to read this, Marina.  I really hope he perks up from the
fluids and manages to have one more summer on the island before
joining Nikki at the RB.  But if it doesn't happen that way, you would
not be killing him!  You would be giving him the gift of release from
his old age and aches and pains.
Hugs and purrs,
--
Britta
"There is no snooze button on a cat who wants breakfast." -- Unknown
Check out pictures of Vino at:
http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album

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