Sometimes it really sucks to be a grown up and have to make grown up
decisions.  But it really sounds like you are just loving Shmogg in the only
way there is left.

Sending lots of purrs, and a few tears of my own.

Jo

Oh Yowie, I am so sorry about this, I have to make that decision soon about
my dog and it kills me.  Prayers and Purrs to you and your family.

Oh no :(  I'm so sorry to hear this Yowie. It is so hard. ((((((hugs)))))

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Yowie}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

  I've "known" Schmogg for so many years, it feels as though I'm losing
my own kitty.  I ache for him and for his loving family.  Schmogg is loved
by so many of us, as evidenced by the number of replies to your
heartbreaking message.  We send our purrs and condolences to you all;
you'll be in our thoughts.  

Hugs,                           Jeanne

We were there ourselves with Scooter back in July.  Our purrs, thoughts
and prayers are with you and yours.

Sam, closely supervised by Mistletoe

Yowie kirjoitti:

((((((((((((Vicky and family)))))))))))))

I'm so very sorry...my heart goes out to you.

PatM

Poor Shmogg! Although if he is diabetic, couldn't he get insulin? Or has
it progressed too far already?

I'm sorry that you are faced with this.

Purrs,
Joyce

Dear Yowie,

Am 09.10.2007 schrieb Yowie:

we are so sorry to read your post:´-(

You and your family are facing a very hard decission to make. We can
read the love and caring for Shmogg from your post. You want the very
best for him, even if it breaks your heart.

We wish you all the strength neccessary to make the decission, keeping
in mind, that only his body will leave you.

Purrs, hugs and tears to all of you from
Inge & Volker and the catgang

I am so sorry to read this, Vicky. It's such a hard decision to take.
Shmogg is the grand old man of b*st*rd cat tricks, and will be sorely
missed. {{{{Vicky and family}}}}

...Sigh. THis is certainly as bad as can be. :-(

All I can say is I hope poor Schmogg has a few more 'good days', for
both of your sakes.

Purrs are on the way for all.

~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Life without cats would be only marginally worth living."
-TC, and the unmercifully, relentlessly, sweet calico kitty, Kenzie.

How you behave towards cats here below determines your status in Heaven.
- Robert Heinlein

Life is very difficult. Once you understand that, life becomes easier.
-Buddha

oh no, sad news
May the Purr be with you in this
Thea & Bono send purrs and headbutts for all of yous
Let us know when it's time to light a candle for Schmogg the magnificent,
master of b*st*rd cat tricks
hugs
Lena

We're purring, praying and thinking of you and Shmogg

Lesley

Slave of the Fabulous Furballs

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{ Vicky }}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

Yowie, I am so sorry to hear this.

I can understand you extremely well, because we may be facing the same
decision in near future. Our black smoocher Blacky has shown about the
same symptoms (much drinking, refusing food, loosing weight) over the
last month. He is diagnosed with kidney failure and we do not know
exactly at the moment how bad it really is.

He is back home from the animals hospital now and about stable, eating
better for the moment. We'll watch him and have him treated by our vet
for the future. But if things get worse there will be only one thing
left we can do for him :'-((

Sincerely, Michael

Many, many purrs and sympathetic thoughts, Yowie.  It may be the
best thing to do, but it sure isn't the easiest.  Having faced that
decision in the past and knowing that I'll have to face it again in
the future still makes it no easier.

You've given Shmogg a good life, and all the love any of the furred ones
could ask for.  I'm sure he knows it.

Purrs for your heart.  I hope the outcome is at least peaceful...

My sympathies-

Chris

Hugs & purrs from our house to yours :(

I am sorry, maybe you can keep him comfortable until your holiday, I am so
very sorry, Lee

I am so very sorry to hear this. Our purrs go out to you and to Shmogg.

Dan

I'm so very, very sorry to hear this.  It's so difficult to make this
decision even though you know it's the right thing for Schmogg.  Purrs for
Schmogg, for you and your family as you struggle during this painful time.

Jill

I'm so sorry Yowie.  Everybody on this list has been there, some more
recent than others, but you know that we ALL understand completely.
Drown away.  We will miss the Shmogg stories.
He was well -loved.

Jane

I'm so sorry to hear this, Yowie.  I remember having the privilege of
meeting Shmogg a few years ago.  It's never easy to make that decision.

(((((((Yowie, Joel, Yowlet and Fluffy)))))))

Deepest empathetic condolences, Yowie. All I can say is that there's some
small comfort in knowing that you'll be giving your beloved companion a
final gift of a passing without suffering. And that's a great gift so a
great & loving kindness.

Purrs
Gordon & the FF

Ah, Yowie, I know too well what you're going through - it's only been a few
month ago for me.  Mega heart-healing purrs heading your way.  You *know* in
your head that you're doing the right thing, but it's another matter to
convince your heart of it.

Hugs,

CatNipped

damn, Vicky. Shmogg has been part of our lives all
these years. When I lost Jazz after 12 years it was losing
one of the family. I cried buckets too. God bless you for
giving Shmogg a long, happy life. We all know our furbabies
have to go one of these days, we just hope it is painless and
surrounded by loving family. I'm sure Shmogg will have all
this. Condolences.

Lily & her mama

My sympathies for you and yours. For Shmogg, I am sending the purrs of
our entire clowder and the gentle tailwag of Bear, the d*g. There will
be no pain or illness where he is going and you are doing for your
little friend what is kindest and best. I have read the rest of the
thread and I agree with you that this is the right choice. If insulin
would been a reasonable solution, your vet would have suggested it.

Will in New Haven

--

Yowie I am sending purrs and prayers
Tears are in my eyes

Shmogg --  wonderful cat.  My heart goes out to you, and all our purrs at
this sad time.  Especially Carey who will have the hardest time
understandung where his pal has gone.

Sincere condolences from me, Melisande and Cendrillon.  It's
never an easy decision, but once an animal is clearly ready
for the journey, why prolong the agony?  Cats are such brave
little critters they often hide their distress, so when one
acts really ill, you know the suffering is genuine (and
possibly a lot worse than it lets you see).  It's a sad fact
of life that our companion animals have much shorter life
expectancies than we do - but that's no excuse for refusing
to let them go when the time comes.  Of course you hate to
lose him, but at least he has had a happy, well-cared-for
life with you. (I only wish we humans could avail ourselves
of the same merciful solution, when faced with painful,
incurable ailments.)

* no words, just tears and hugs*
He will be remembered around the world, and missed by so many.
-Caroline S.

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{ Shmogg's entire family }}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

Jeanne Hedge

============
http://www.jhedge.com

Purrs and a ton of prayers for you and your family; and for Shmogg, that he
knows until hisjourney how much you love him. i kn ow you'll make the right
decision, and the most courageou and merciful one.

Blessed be,
Baha

My Dear Friend Vicky,
As always, you are so wise; choosing Shmogg's quality of life over
your own pain of loss. You have my prayers and virtual hugs. And I am
putting a special candle in my glass cat candleholder for Shmogg. But,
never fear, he will live forever in all our hearts. And I bet even
Fluffy will miss him sorely.

Hugs and Purrs from CATherine and Sheba, Robin and Djoser; not to
mention Shasta, the d-thing!

Yowie,
Please reconsider your decision about Shmogg, at least until you can get a
second opinion from another vet. I would have serious doubts about a vet who
would write off a cat without even knowing what is wrong with it. It does
not make sense to kill one of our beloved pets before even getting a
definitive diagnosis. First, 14 is not particularly old for a cat. My first
cat lived to be almost 20. Holly is now 12-1/2. Amber was 13 when she was
diagnosed with liver disease and kidney failure, and she also developed CRF.
Despite all that, she lived for another 3 years - *good quality* years -
because of aggressive treatment.

I said that you need a definitive diagnosis. You have already indicated that
you are aware that a number of people on this group are taking care of cats
with diabetes. Did you realize that diabetes is related to kidney disease?
Untreated diabetes can lead to a form of kidney failure (ketoacidosis, which
can often be reversed by treating the diabetes and administering IV fluids).
Many diabetic cats can even go into remission with a change of diet from dry
food to low carb canned food.

I can't imagine killing a family member based only on a "guess." If
necessary, holidays can be delayed but a diagnosis for Shmogg should not be.
At best, he will have something treatable and will have some good quality
time with you. At worst, you will receive a negative report - but then you
will know that euthanasia is truly justified.  I have had to make that
dreadful decision myself, but it should always be an informed decision and
one that is made in the best interests of our cats.

MaryL

Oh Vicky, I'm so sorry to read this.  You, Shmogg, and your family are
in my thoughts.

Susan M
Otis and Chester