If Ebony seems to be suffering, remember that vets make housecalls for
euthanasia. He can die at home without any pain.

Something I hold in my heart   we lost our precious a few months ago she was
almost 20.  I am sorry for your loss

Always remember We will be there even if you can't see us.
We are always Watching and Waiting. That cool puff of air you
feel across your cheek, that fleeting touch, the feeling you have
that I was walking across your bed, that moment you swear you can
hear us, that flicker of movement out of the corner of your eye.
Is just our way of saying I love you and I am with you always even
in the darkest time We Will Always Be There. Till our paws touch again
always know we love you and cherished our special time together

A Prayer for Animals

Hear our humble prayer, O God, for our friends the animals,
especially for animals who are suffering;
for animals that are overworked, underfed and cruelly treated;
for all wistful creatures in captivity that beat their wings against bars;
for any that are hunted or lost or deserted or frightened or hungry;
for all that must be put death.
We entreat for them all Thy mercy and pity,
and for those who deal with them we ask a heart of compassion
and gentle hands and kindly words.
Make us, ourselves, to be true friends to animals,
and so to share the blessings of the merciful.
                                               by Albert Schweitzer

I don't how many people have actually witnessed a peaceful death at
home, but I have witnessed one death without vet assistance. Jasper
died in my arms at 3:06 am on July 11, 2000. Six years ago. And I burst
into tears everytime I think about that horrible night.

I knew when I got home from work that night that he was far worse and
might not make it through the night. Back then, we didn't have a 24
hour vet available, so I was hoping he would last long enough to be at
the vet when it opened. I held him him and loved him. He convulsed for
half an hour, vomiting on himself. He was either aware and in in pain,
or so out of it that he would not have known I was there. Either way is
painful for me to accept. I feel so horrible that he suffered like
that. The one thing I learned from that situation is that we do them a
great kindness by having them euthanized by a vet. They can die
peacefully, and they know we love them as we hold them in their last
moments.

I have made the decision to euthanize two cats and one dog. I felt a
little guilty about the first, wondering if I had waited for the right
time or could have done more. But after losing Jasper, I don't feel
guilty about the choice to euthanize them. It is only the one I did NOT
make the choice for, that I feel guilty about, and that is while
knowing I could not have done anything at that time of night anyway.

If you are waiting for that "peaceful death at home", please know that
it may not be peaceful at all.

I've had 3 cats and a dog all die in my arms. Three of them were
relaxed and died peacefully. They were well worth the vet costs.
Comparing those to to Jasper, I would never ever consider just waiting
for them to die at home. If their quailty of life is gone, this is your
last gift that you can give to them, and it will spare you some bad
memories too.

hi.  It has taken me some time to respond to this because I lost my
beloved kitty Rocky last July and I still grieve.  He was with me 16 of
my 20 years in the Navy, he was from Naples, Italy and he travelled
with me across both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

As soon as I started reading your post, I started crying because I know
all too well how you feel.  I believe what you are doing is the right
thing, providing Ebony is not suffering.  At least you will be able to
say good-bye to him, which is very impotant for you.  I was not able to
say good-bye to Rocky because he passed away at the vet where he had
been for four days, over a weekend.  I did not go visit him on Saturday
because I did not want to upset him, but now I am eaten up with guilt
because I did not go.  He passed away the following day and I did not
find out until Monday morning when I went to the vet to see how he was
responding to the treatment.  The words that vet tech said to me are
just as clear as now as they were a year ago.  If I had it to do over
again, I would not have taken him in.  He was not in pain either,
although he had quit eating and was moving really slow.  I had him
cremated, as I have had all of my cats, and two hamsters, and the
clinic held his ashes hostage until we paid our bill in full.  My
husband even offered to pay for the ashes alone and pay the remainder
of the bill a day or two later, but they refused.

Please do not feel guilty for keeping him home.  He is comfortable at
home and with someone who loves him very much and whom he loves as
well.  He will be grateful to be home and in familiar, quiet
surroundings instead of in a cage in a loud, strange place.

When he does pass away, you are going to be ever so heartbroken.
Surrounding yourself with fellow animal lovers who have been in your
shoes will help a great deal.  Even though I had to go to work after I
found about Rocky, I was comforted somewhat by knowing that my
co-workers understood what I was going through.  Before I went to work,
I went home and got out a bunch of pictures of Rocky and put them in a
photo album so I could look at him in all the various places we lived
and all the things he got into and it actually helped ease the sadness.
The five babies I had remaining also helped me a great deal as well,
as did the two we adopted to replace the empty space in our home Rocky
left behind.

It would help you a great deal if you can find a support group to talk
to as well.  There are many on the internet or, if you like, you could
start one.  I'm sure many of us will be here for you when the time
comes.  I know I will be.

You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Deeanna

ebony died peacefully in the night.  thanks for all who responded.

Fred, I am currently going through the same thing, only with a
6-week-old kitten I am fostering.  It's never easy tos ay goodbye.
Take comfort in what my supervisor just told me:  he could have died a
terrible death alone, outside, unloved and uncared for like so many
kitties do.  He is home, warm, loved, and comfortable, and you gave him
a lifelong gift that is beyond worth.

God Bless You For Caring!

The bestest gift you could give to him is to help a homeless kitty who
needs your love out there somewhere.  Don't be afraid to love again.

Valerie

thank you all for being with me last night and this morning.   who knew that
the internet could be such a warm place.

we'll have a little funeral and bury him in the garden.  rest in peace,
ebony.

I think that you will know just what to do by the end of this poem:

IF IT SHOULD BE

If it should be that I grow frail and weak,
and pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then you must do what must be done,
For this last battle cannot be won.

You will be sad, I understand.
Don't let your grief then stay your hand.
For this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship stands the test.

We've had so many happy years,
What is to come can hold no fears.
Would you want me to suffer so?
When that time comes, please let me go.

Take me where my needs they'll tend,
But stay beside me to the end.
Hold me firm and speak to me,
Until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time you that you will see,
The kindness that you do for me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I've been saved.

Do not grieve -- it must be you,
Who must decide this thing to do.
We've been so close we two these years,
Remember joy amongst your tears.

Anonymous