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Cat Forum / Health and Behavior / May 2005Loving cats <> taking care of cats
This is just a freeform musing occasioned by several recent events - 1. Tammy Quist's homepage slogan "She will never know freedom, can she at least know compassion?" (http://www.wildcatsanctuary.org/index.htm) 2. The decision to find another home for Henry even though I loved him 3. The "hard tasks" Megan endured to get Henry acclimated. 4. Dealing with Louis' piss problem 5. Thinking while at the vet's that they had such a horrid job.. seeing sick cats and putting some to sleep Now, the thing these have in common is the fact that the nutty cat lover like myself quails at the "inconvenience" for the cat. Tammy's (and Megan's) necessary work secluding and "inconveniencing" the cat for their own good - so that they could live successfully with other cats. Realizing that just loving Henry was not the same as convincing him and Louis to get along. Realizing that a possible two week seclusion period might be necessary to get Louis re-potty-trained. Realizing that euthanasia is indeed the most sympathetic thing we can do. Cat hoarders don't understand this. They think bringing the stray in from outside, while being incapable of caring for them, is a favor to the cat. It's a favor to their own unformed emotional maturity. The owner whose cat is in utter misery with a terminal illness, who keeps the cat around for years, suffering, doesn't understand this. I really love cats - but I don't have the maturity that people like Tammy and Megan have to realize that anthropomorphizing cats is a dangerous thing, since the very fact they're living indoors with us is an unnatural convention. The newest thing is switching our cats to wet food. Tiger's pretty mad. The weak, immature cat-lover in me says "oh, Tiger shouldn't be inconvenienced. Just give him his dry food back" while the smarter person says "hey, all indications are that this step is in the cat's best interest". I dunno. Do you guys know what I'm talking about? I want these kitties to be extremely happy - and have trouble looking past the short-term problems toward the benefit over the long haul. Breeders, trainers, fosters, vets - these guys are at a different emotional level than most of us are required to attain. They know that sometimes that cat's gonna be pissed, but it's for their own good. The rest of us struggle with this, I guess. BLink > This is just a freeform musing occasioned by several recent events - > [quoted text clipped - 44 lines] > > BLink I also have a hard time medicating/pilling or otherwise doing something to my cats that I know is going to make them mad. I have a hard time saying "no" when they want outside late in the day. It's just your compassionate nature that doesn't want to inflict pain or or piss them off, or make them think you're "punishing" them. Funny thing is, I don't have a problem in the world pilling other cats. Just mine. Even weirder, my daughter is an RN, and she can NOT inject cats. I don't have a problem with euthanasia for a very ill pet, not if it's performed properly. I never have. I just have a problem with suffering. Sherry > I also have a hard time medicating/pilling or otherwise doing > something to my cats that I know is going to make them mad. I have a > hard time saying "no" when they want outside late in the day. It's > just your compassionate nature that doesn't want to inflict pain or > or piss them off, or make them think you're "punishing" them. For me, I think it's the fact that I cannot, and will never be able to, tell them *why*. As far as the cat's concerned, you're just being arbitrarily mean. I'll never be able to explain to Oscar why I have to put her in the plastic thing, subject her to a noisy moving thing, and then allow a stranger to touch her.  Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca "Monique Y. Mudama" <spam@bounceswoosh.org> wrote in message > For me, I think it's the fact that I cannot, and will never be able > to, tell them *why*. As far as the cat's concerned, you're just being [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca If and when you have to put him in a carrier, just talk to her Shure the one act of crating in itself is one thing, but don't underestimate her, she trusts you right. The whole experience will register in her mind, not the one deed. Just think, at some point you are also going to be the one who opens her prison door! lol (once your back home) > "Monique Y. Mudama" <spam@bounceswoosh.org> wrote in message >> For me, I think it's the fact that I cannot, and will never be able [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > Just think, at some point you are also going to be the one who opens > her prison door! lol (once your back home) She's fine once she gets home. She doesn't "punish" me or avoid me or anything. I just feel so bad when I see how obviously scared she is. The whole drive to the vet's, she's meowing, "Let me out, Mom. Mom? Mom? Why are you doing this, mom?" Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca > She's fine once she gets home. She doesn't "punish" me or avoid me > or anything. I just feel so bad when I see how obviously scared she > is. The whole drive to the vet's, she's meowing, "Let me out, Mom. > Mom? Mom? Why are you doing this, mom?" Which of course is me anthropomorphising her. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca > For me, I think it's the fact that I cannot, and will never be > able to, tell them *why*. As far as the cat's concerned, you're > just being arbitrarily mean. I'll never be able to explain to > Oscar why I have to put her in the plastic thing, subject her to > a noisy moving thing, and then allow a stranger to touch her. The worse for me is the constant crying in the carrier on the way to the vet. :( So sad-sounding. They're usually quiet coming home though. Hmm, I supose they know they're going home? :) SignatureCheryl "The clever cat eats cheese and breathes down rat holes with baited breath." - W.C. Fields > This is just a freeform musing occasioned by several recent events - > [quoted text clipped - 35 lines] > > I dunno. Do you guys know what I'm talking about? Yep. Sure do. >I want these kitties > to be extremely happy - and have trouble looking past the short-term > problems toward the benefit over the long haul. Nothing exeplified that sort of feelinmg than when I had to take my 8-week old infant son in for his first vaccinations. Broke my heart. > Breeders, trainers, fosters, vets - these guys are at a different > emotional level than most of us are required to attain. They know that > sometimes that cat's gonna be pissed, but it's for their own good. The > rest of us struggle with this, I guess. I still struggle with it, even after having worked in the rescue field for so long. Nothing worse than having to euthanize your own pet. It's bad enough doing it to a sick animal for whom you are not the guardian. It's worse doing it to a healthy animal for lack of home. But doing it to your own animal is one of the most gut wrenching things you will ever do. It's a power I am glad I have yet sorry that I have as well. I don't understand people who don't stay with their animal during euthanasia. I don't care how hard it is, IMO, it's disgraceful not to be there with the animal during its final moments. I found myself drawn to the animals at the vet who were merely dropped off for euth. I felt like they needed and deserved someone, and since nobody else really "got it" except for one other tech, she and I would always be the ones to be there for the animal. It really made me hate people sometimes. -L. snip > I don't understand people who don't stay with their animal during > euthanasia. I don't care how hard it is, IMO, it's disgraceful not to [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > -L. Do you wish to cherish the memory of your pet's last moments as having its eyes open ... or closed? This I believe is what separates those who watch their pet's euthanisation from those who won't. > Do you wish to cherish the memory of your pet's last moments as having its > eyes open ... or closed? This I believe is what separates those who watch > their pet's euthanisation from those who won't. I don't know what you are talking about as an animals eyes remain open when it is euthanized. If you are saying you would rather remember seeing the animal alive, that's just a cop out to spare your own feelings. Your animal's last memory will be of being scared and alone at the hands of a stranger. Who deserves to carry the burden - you or your beloved pet? I know I want my animals to know they were loved by ME right until the last breath. -L. >> Do you wish to cherish the memory of your pet's last moments as >> having its eyes open ... or closed? This I believe is what [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > -L. Now you are anthropomorphizing a bit, Lyn. > >> Do you wish to cherish the memory of your pet's last moments as > >> having its eyes open ... or closed? This I believe is what [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > Now you are anthropomorphizing a bit, Lyn. No- its called compassion, empathy and fulfilling an obligation to a life-long friend, you f.cking decrepit old piece of sh.t. > Your animal's last memory will be of being scared and alone > at the hands of a stranger. Who deserves to carry the burden - you or > your beloved pet? I know I want my animals to know they were loved by > ME right until the last breath. This was the hardest part of having Nic euthanized. The vet had taken him away to place a cath but his veins were shot and she couldn't get one in. They came back and asked if they could sedate him to make things easier. Because I was upset and not thinking straight, I agreed. Which meant that the next time I saw him, he was asleep...I never really got to tell him goodbye. I mean, I held him while they gave the final shot, but that's not the same. I should have insisted on going back with him. My cat's last memory was of stranger's touching him and hurting him and I wasn't there. I will NEVER forgive myself for that. It haunts me. That was over a year ago and I'm sobbing just thinking about, because I can't believe I let that happen. I honestly did want to be there with him, to let him know I was doing this because I loved him so damned much, but I just...I wasn't thinking. It breaks my heart when people just drop off their pets and they're all alone. But if it helps anyone out there, we really do treat such animals with love and respect. We try to make things gentle and peaceful. Grief makes people do things they regret sometimes. I had time to prepare for Nic's death and I still lost my head and did something terrible. How much worst must it be for someone who wasn't expecting it, as in the case of an accident or sudden illness? I guess I'm just saying that I do think owners should stay with their pets...but I don't want to judge too harshly anyone who does not because I've been there and it rips me apart inside. Sethran > This was the hardest part of having Nic euthanized. The vet had taken > him away to place a cath but his veins were shot and she couldn't get [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > did want to be there with him, to let him know I was doing this because > I loved him so damned much, but I just...I wasn't thinking. He knows you loved him. You can bet on that. > It breaks > my heart when people just drop off their pets and they're all alone. > But if it helps anyone out there, we really do treat such animals with > love and respect. We try to make things gentle and peaceful. Are you a vet tech too? I was for awhile - I took the job for fun, just to learn more about vet medicine. I lved that job in so many ways. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I, too, always tried to make the transition easy for the animals, to let them know they are loved. Grief > makes people do things they regret sometimes. I had time to prepare > for Nic's death and I still lost my head and did something terrible. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > to judge too harshly anyone who does not because I've been there and it > rips me apart inside. Oh absolutely. I have BTDT when myu Mom died unexpectedly. It kills me still. -L. > Do you wish to cherish the memory of your pet's last moments as having its > eyes open ... or closed? This I believe is what separates those who watch > their pet's euthanisation from those who won't. I held each of my cats when they had to be euthanized. I was not watching their eyes; I was stroking them and taling to them. Was it difficult? Yes, very difficult -- but I considered that to be my last gift of love to a beloved companion. When I think of these wonderful pets, I think of their personalities and the special times we had together; I seldom think of that last moment of euthanasia, but I also don't "block" it -- that was a difficult time but was not traumatic to me because I was concentrating on assuring that my cat's last moments would be as peaceful as possible and not moments filled with fear (as would happend if they were left alone in a vet's office). MaryL I made the hard choice,when my dear Lenny became ill but resisted any definitive diagnosis, to let him have exploratory surgery, in the hope that what was causing his illness was a cohesive tumour that could be removed. It wasn't, and he was euthanized during the surgery, when they found it was hopeless. *I* wanted him back, but I couldn't put him through the pain and confusion of recovery, only to have him continue to waste away for a couple more weeks. The most devastating though is that the last thing he knew was I left him. He liked his vet and I had spent more than an hour with him, waiting for the specialist surgeon, while he sat in a window and watched squirrels and stole the clinic cats' toys and water. They let me carry him back to the surgery - but if I'd ever done this before, I'd have know to ask if I could stay until he was sedated. He was a very attached and very vocal cat, and called after me as I left the room. When his companion Lucy passed a couple months later, I was there with her. No surgery that time. She had palpable, large, sudden tumour growth. Yeah, it was damn hard, but I stayed with her. My vet gave her a sedative shot first, on a nice blanket-covered exam table, and she walked back across the table into my arms and hunkered down. I got to talk to her and pet her as she drifted off. I don't think it's anthorpomorphizing to understand the difference between an anxious, confused, or scared animal and one that is comforted and calm because their familiar person is right there with them. Letting Lucy go was easier, because I knew she was tired and sick and loney without her Lenny, but also because I knew she was calm and comfortable. Johanna >I made the hard choice,when my dear Lenny became ill but resisted any > definitive diagnosis, to let him have exploratory surgery, in the hope [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > continue to waste away for a couple more weeks. The most devastating > though is that the last thing he knew was I left him. Don't beat yourself over this. Lenny was unconscious when he was euthanized, and he did not have any conception at that time that you had "left him." It would have been far worse -- in fact, it would have been cruelty -- to try to keep him just for another week or two. You made the right decision. <snip> > When his companion Lucy passed a couple months later, I was there with > her. No surgery that time. She had palpable, large, sudden tumour > growth. Yeah, it was damn hard, but I stayed with her. My vet gave > her a sedative shot first, on a nice blanket-covered exam table, and > she walked back across the table into my arms and hunkered down. I > got to talk to her and pet her as she drifted off. My experience was similar except that I held each of my cats while they were given a sedating injection, then euthanized. Both of them were completely calm at the time, and that means a lot of me. I said earlier that I consider this to be a "final gift of love" (which I do). Oddly, I think it was also a gift to myself because I know there was no fear or pain for them at the end, and they were in the arms of someone who loved them (and they knew it). > I don't think it's anthorpomorphizing to understand the difference > between an anxious, confused, or scared animal and one that is > comforted and calm because their familiar person is right there with > them. Letting Lucy go was easier, because I knew she was tired and > sick and loney without her Lenny, but also because I knew she was calm > and comfortable. Agreed! > Johanna -- MaryL Hey, Mary - Oh, I'm not "beating myself up" over it. And I know Lenny was unaware when he was euthanized. My comment was more that if I ever have to do that again.... commit an animal to an unknown like that... I'd want to stay until he was sedated/unconscious. I know I did the right thing, but the last that we saw of each other was me putting him down on the prep table and walking out of the room. We both could have been a little more comforted if I'd been there while he drifted off. In the end, yeah, it was a harder difference for me than for him. Probably once I was out the door, he turned back to the vet and the techs and said "'kay, what's up girls? Somebody pet me!" - he was a very social boy and like I said, he generally liked his vets and staff. My boyfriend would tell me that when I left the apartment, Lenny would yell after me for a few minutes - he never did that when my guy went out and I stayed home - but then he'd settle down and go look for the next person to hang out with. But I made a note for myself - if its ever a decision I have to make again, I'll stay with my furry buddy during the prep, until they're beyond awareness. I think a vet who wouldn't accomodate that is not a vet to whom I want to take my business. Cheers, Johanna snip > I don't think it's anthropomorphizing to understand the difference > between an anxious, confused, or scared animal and one that is > comforted and calm because their familiar person is right there with > them. I would agree. > Letting Lucy go was easier, because I knew she was tired and > sick and lonely without her Lenny, but also because I knew she was calm > and comfortable. > > Johanna Now you're anthropomorphizing a bit. > I made the hard choice,when my dear Lenny became ill but > resisted any definitive diagnosis, to let him have exploratory [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > for a couple more weeks. The most devastating though is that > the last thing he knew was I left him. But the thing he knew the most was how much you loved him and cared for him every day from the time you were united right through to that day. > He liked his vet and I had spent more than an hour with him, > waiting for the specialist surgeon, while he sat in a window and > watched squirrels and stole the clinic cats' toys and water. Aww.. I like the sound of that. When my poor Shadow had to be left at the animal hospital, the techs liked him so much that they made sure to put him in a cage closest to the window so he could look outside. I was grateful for their care. <snip> > When his companion Lucy passed a couple months later, I was > there with her. <snip> That's rough. Two so close together. Something that anyone with cats of the same age has experienced. :( > I don't think it's anthorpomorphizing to understand the > difference between an anxious, confused, or scared animal and > one that is comforted and calm because their familiar person is > right there with them. Letting Lucy go was easier, because I > knew she was tired and sick and loney without her Lenny, but > also because I knew she was calm and comfortable. It isn't. And I completely agree. I wouldn't have it done without being there no matter how painful it is. SignatureCheryl "The clever cat eats cheese and breathes down rat holes with baited breath." - W.C. Fields > > Do you wish to cherish the memory of your pet's last moments as having its > > eyes open ... or closed? This I believe is what separates those who watch [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > moments filled with fear (as would happend if they were left alone in a > vet's office). Beautifully put, MaryL. I would not allow any of my animals to go through it alone if I had the choice. They love and trust me and so my voice and smell and touch comforts them. >Beautifully put, MaryL. I would not allow any of my animals to go through it >alone if I had the choice. They love and trust me and so my voice and smell >and touch comforts them. OMG yes. As far as "eyes", my vet (during the only euthanasia of one of my own pets I've had to deal with) had prepared the whole setup so carefully, including pre-euthanasia sedative, etc of course, a blanket, and my wonderful dog in front of me, not facing me. I watched him go and gently closed his eyes as he went. It was a very peaceful experience, and one I cannot imagine failing to do - we owe it to them. SignatureJanet B www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/bestfriendsobedience/album >> > Do you wish to cherish the memory of your pet's last moments as having > its [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > smell > and touch comforts them. Thanks. Our furbabies deserve to have our love and attention "to the very end." MaryL > >> > Do you wish to cherish the memory of your pet's last moments as having > > its [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > Thanks. Our furbabies deserve to have our love and attention "to the very > end." And while they may not understand *words* they understand that our scent, voice, and touch means love and safety and that comforts them. It is what they die feeling--and a good death, if there is such a thing. Achh, where are my babies, I have to go give them hugs! > And while they may not understand *words* I made an observation this morning, it was raining, :) and cat wanted out! I said, "rrrain" he cocked his to one side, and went and sat down. > I held each of my cats when they had to be euthanized. I was not watching > their eyes; I was stroking them and taling to them. Was it difficult? Yes, [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > MaryL And people forget that death is *part of* life. I cannot imagine abandoning my animal at his or her final moments any more than I could imagine doing so to a loved one. You learn so much when a loved one dies - whether it be human or non-human. -L. >> I held each of my cats when they had to be euthanized. I was not > watching [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > > -L. Absolutely. My brother-in-law died of leukemia a number of years ago, and we learned the value of those who were willing to endure some "discomfort" themselves in order to comfort him. Some who had been good friends never came to the hospital; they said it made them uncomfortable (but think of how uncomfortable *he* was). Those who truly could show compassion ignored their own discomfort in order to comfort him. The same thing is true of our beloved pets. How can anyone possibly claim to love a cat or dog and then simply leave that same pet at the vet's for euthanasia because it would "hurt" too much to see their companion die??? That is simply selfishness. MaryL > snip > > I don't understand people who don't stay with their animal during [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > eyes open ... or closed? This I believe is what separates those who watch > their pet's euthanisation from those who won't. Their eyes do not close when they are euthanized. Actually the saddest thing is the limp tail. I was with my cat for *her* comfort, not for mine. >I was with my > cat for *her* comfort, not for mine. Bless your heart. > >I was with my > > cat for *her* comfort, not for mine. > > Bless your heart. You would, and will, do the same if you have to face this with any cat. You're a good old soul. The soul part is old, not you, see. :) > Do you wish to cherish the memory of your pet's last moments as having its > eyes open ... or closed? This I believe is what separates those who watch > their pet's euthanisation from those who won't. For some, that is possibly true. For others, it's about ourselves as well as our pets. I had to be present for my cats who were PTS because all I could think about was how I didn't want them to feel frightened and abandoned at their time of death. And I wanted to be assured that they *didn't* suffer at that time. I wanted their last memory to be of me holding them and petting them, not some stranger putting them on a cold table and sticking them with a needle. It sure made me feel better (later -- I was a wreck at the time) and I truly hope it made a difference for my kitties. My last memories of my cats who have been PTS is them looking peaceful, lying on a towel, like they were sleeping. This is not a bad memory to have. It makes me feel good that I know they were indeed at peace when they died. Signature-- ~kaeli~ A plateau is a high form of flattery. http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHeart http://www.ipwebdesign.net/kaelisSpace >> Do you wish to cherish the memory of your pet's last moments as >> having its eyes open ... or closed? This I believe is what >> separates those who watch their pet's euthanisation from those who >> won't. > > For some, that is possibly true. Hi Kaeli. Did you notice how literal one member here became ... stating that a euthanasized cat dies with its eyes still open? Talk about missing the big picture. Sheesh. > For others, it's about ourselves as well as our pets. I had to be > present for my cats who were PTS because all I could think about was > how I didn't want them to feel frightened and abandoned at their time > of death. And I wanted to be assured that they *didn't* suffer at > that time. I wanted their last memory... It's actually YOUR last memory. Memories disappear with brain death. > ... to be of me holding them and > petting them, not some stranger putting them on a cold table and > sticking them with a needle. It sure made me feel better (later -- I > was a wreck at the time) and I truly hope it made a difference for my > kitties. Of course. You still have the rest of your life to process the grief and loss. > My last memories of my cats who have been PTS is them looking > peaceful, lying on a towel, like they were sleeping. This is not a > bad memory to have. It makes me feel good that I know they were > indeed at peace when they died. That final image is a powerful one. Choose it wisely. It will be with you for a long time. "Philip" <1chip-state1@earthlink.n0t> wrote > > Hi Kaeli. Did you notice how literal one member here became ... stating > that a euthanasized cat dies with its eyes still open? Talk about missing > the big picture. Sheesh. Right. The fact is you have never been with an animal that you had euthanized, or you would have known that. > > For others, it's about ourselves as well as our pets. I had to be > > present for my cats who were PTS because all I could think about was [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > It's actually YOUR last memory. Memories disappear with brain death. Yes and no. It is my last memory of them, true. But I meant it's the last thing they experience -- now who's being too literal? LOL Also, I don't rule out the possibility of life after death in some form or another, so I can't rule out the possibility that we do actually remember things after we die somehow. I have seen no true proof either way (nor do I expect to), and it's against my scientific mind, yet my spiritual mind wants to think it is true...so I figure I might as well err on the side of caution. It doesn't hurt anything for me to be there, and there is a chance that it hurts my beloved pet for me to NOT be there. Actually, for those few minutes before death, it's nearly a guarantee that it hurts them if I'm not there. So, I have to be there. > > My last memories of my cats who have been PTS is them looking > > peaceful, lying on a towel, like they were sleeping. This is not a [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > That final image is a powerful one. Choose it wisely. It will be with you > for a long time. So very true. Choose wisely whether to acompany your pet to be PTS also because it's not like you can ever change your mind. If you choose to not go, then later you feel guilty, you're pretty much feeling guilty over that for the rest of your life, to some extent. I didn't go with my dog when I was a kid and it bothers me to this day. Whether the feelings are rational or anthropomorphizing or not is subjective and debatable. The fact is, I feel them and they suck. That's why this decision is such a difficult one for many people -- you can't take it back. My Mom almost didn't go with our Tom when it was his time. She said she just couldn't do it, that it hurt too much. She was going to have me take him. We all loved him, and he loved us, but Mom was his favorite person. I told her I would take him, but explained that she might feel guilty over it later if she didn't go. She decided to go. She thanked me later and told me how much it eased her mind to know that his last moments were indeed peaceful. It's as much, if not more so, for our own peace of mind as for our pet's, when you really think about it. All I know is that I have only NOT gone once, and I regret that a lot. I have never regretted being there. So, that's why I have to go. Signature-- ~kaeli~ Local Area Network in Australia:... the LAN down under. http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHeart http://www.ipwebdesign.net/kaelisSpace >>> For others, it's about ourselves as well as our pets. I had to be >>> present for my cats who were PTS because all I could think about was [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > death, it's nearly a guarantee that it hurts them if I'm not there. > So, I have to be there. You do have an unusual level of wisdom for your years, Kaeli. "Better to conduct your life as if there is a Heaven but then find out there isn't one .... than to conduct yourself as if there is no Heaven and then find out there is." >>> My last memories of my cats who have been PTS is them looking >>> peaceful, lying on a towel, like they were sleeping. This is not a [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > feelings are rational or anthropomorphizing or not is subjective and > debatable. The fact is, I feel them and they suck. You were a kid. Gathering wisdom requires life experiences. > That's why this decision is such a difficult one for many people -- > you can't take it back. My Mom almost didn't go with our Tom when it [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > -- "kaeli" > This is not a bad memory to have. It > makes me feel good that I know they were indeed at peace when they died. [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHeart > http://www.ipwebdesign.net/kaelisSpace I'm jumping in middle of thread, want to say, my Aunt had her cat "Bentley" cremated, now Bentley sits on the fireplace mantle. -- Barry ... Women and cats are both black at night. - Bosnia ... > Nothing worse than having to euthanize your own pet. It's bad > enough doing it to a sick animal for whom you are not the > guardian. It's worse doing it to a healthy animal for lack of > home. But doing it to your own animal is one of the most gut > wrenching things you will ever do. It's a power I am glad I > have yet sorry that I have as well. Agreed. I often think about my 2 most recent - Shadow (Jul-04) and Marley (Feb-02). :( They were obviously ready to go, but I wasn't ready to let them go. It's a gift to be able to do so, though. SignatureCheryl "The clever cat eats cheese and breathes down rat holes with baited breath." - W.C. Fields > I dunno. Do you guys know what I'm talking about? I want these > kitties to be extremely happy - and have trouble looking past > the short-term problems toward the benefit over the long haul. Cats have short memories. When they're happy and healthy again (if they were sick that is) they won't remember what they went through to get well. Then again, if its something that goes on for a long time (being attacked by another cat for example, over and over again, for a long time before the human steps in) it can cause long term trauma that may never be overcome. SignatureCheryl "The clever cat eats cheese and breathes down rat holes with baited breath." - W.C. Fields >> I dunno. Do you guys know what I'm talking about? I want these >> kitties to be extremely happy - and have trouble looking past [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > a long time before the human steps in) it can cause long term trauma > that may never be overcome. Oh yeah, right. When your cat's only experiences in a car are going to the vet ... cats don't forget the horrors at the end of the "leaving home" ride. |
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