Crossing the Rainbow Bridge
 

I've noticed this year, that a few of us have had our dear pets cross over the bridge from this life to a much better one.

Today, my Maxwell joined them.

He didn't suffer at all, and was in the care of his Vet when it occurred.

For the past few weeks, Max had been very lethargic. Sleeping more than anything else, devloping a cough that was a little troubling, and starting to not groom himself. The Vet said that with his age, we would do some minor tests, but anything invasive would be more traumatic to him than what the Vet thought he could endure.

I noticed on Sunday afternoon, that Max had taken up residence under my bed. While it's not unlike him to find a spot and camp out in it for a while, there was nothing at all I could do to lure him out. Treats were ignored, his favorite toy, he didn't want. He wasn't eating (even his favorite, chicken), would only drink if i took the bowl to him, and wasn't using his litterbox. Yesterday, I called the vet, who asked me to bring him in. I made the appointment for this morning. Last night, for about a half hour, Max was his 'old' self. Mooching, purring, and being a general goofball. But it didn't last very long. He went back under the bed, and any time I went to check on him, he would hiss, and then meow pitifully. I knew, he wasn't feeling that good at all.

This morning, with just a basic examination, the vet told me that his liver was about 5 times larger than its normal size. His intestines felt like they were 'little sausages', and he was having trouble breathing due to the size of his liver and the other problems. Without doing surgery to make certain, he said he was fairly (about 95 percent) sure that what was wrong with Max was cancer that had started in his liver and spread all through his body. He said that it was a very real possiblity that Maxwell wouldn't live through the end of the month, and if anything, he would suffer from the pain. He'd already lost 3 pounds, was down from 10 to about 7, was losing his hair, and was pretty unresponsive unless you really pushed him. He said that the best thing we could do for him, would be to help him be comfortable. <script><!-- D(["mb","
\r\n
\r\nSo we did.*
\r\n
\r\nI wish I could say that he wasn\'t scared or nervous - because he\r\nwas.* Max never did like car rides or strange places.* But he\r\nwas calm when the vet examined him - didn\'t meow at all.* When I\r\nwas holding him before he went to sleep, I told him that everyone who\r\nknew him loved him, and we would all miss him.* He\'d developed\r\nthis habit lately of patting me with his paw, almost as if to tell me\r\nthat it was okay.* Well, before the vet gave him his medicine, he\r\nreached out and put his paw on my hand, and meowed softly.* I\r\nthink he knew...and wanted me to know it was okay.
\r\n
\r\nMax has been a huge part of my life ever since he came to live with\r\nme.* A constant companion, minor nusiance when he was \'fixated\' on\r\nsomething, and all around best friend.There\'s something about a pet\r\nthat loves you unconditionally that makes them so very special.*\r\nMax will have a constant place in my heart.* There will never be\r\nanother neurotic little man like him.
\r\n
\r\nPlease hug Trouble and Furball for me.* I have some fairly recent photos of him if you\'d like one.* Just let me know.
\r\n
\r\nKellie
",1] ); D(["mb","
--
Life will be the death of me yet...
But I\'m enjoying it while it lasts!

\r\n\r\n",0] ); D(["ce"]); D(["ms","b08d"] ); //--></script>

So we did.

I wish I could say that he wasn't scared or nervous - because he was. Max never did like car rides or strange places. But he was calm when the vet examined him - didn't meow at all. When I was holding him before he went to sleep, I told him that everyone who knew him loved him, and we would all miss him. He'd developed this habit lately of patting me with his paw, almost as if to tell me that it was okay. Well, before the vet gave him his medicine, he reached out and put his paw on my hand, and meowed softly. I think he knew...and wanted me to know it was okay.

Max has been a huge part of my life ever since he came to live with me. A constant companion, minor nusiance when he was 'fixated' on something, and all around best friend.There's something about a pet that loves you unconditionally that makes them so very special. Max will have a constant place in my heart. There will never be another neurotic little man like him.

Pets are precious and their loss leaves a gap which can never be filled.
Hugs.

So sorry to hear of your loss, Dagney. The burden of grief is made lighter by sharing, we all get to carry a little with you. Thanks for sharing with us.

Yeah, it helps, unfortunately, it feels like that's all I have to share anymore :(

:T..
my regards

Sorry to hear about your loss, Dags. All of my pets are terribly, terribly dear to me and my family - even my damn giant fish - and I understand what you've gone through. Blessings to you and yours.

Sorry to hear that, Dagney. I went through a similar situation - I had to put a cat to sleep that developed seizures - it is such a terrible thing.

You will get through it and did the right thing. Hugs to you!

Dag, thanks for giving Max a great life.

*hugs* He is feeling better now. Our pets are like our kids too. I hope you are doing ok.

Shit. :(

I'm so sorry for you, Dag.

warm, healing thoughts, dag. you did the right thing. be easy with yourself, now. And you can still love Max as much as ever. :apaw: so sorry!

I hope that there is a special place in kitty heaven for Maxwell...
[j/k] but I hope that there is a special place in Hell for you for making me cry at work[/j/k except for the crying part].
I've been in the same situation many times with pets -- it's always hard to know when to let them go.

I'm sorry for your loss. You are so lucky to have that last gesture of forgiveness from Max... He knew you were doing the right thing.

It's a hard call deciding when a pet is no longer getting joy out of life and that ending their suffering is for the best. It sounds to me like Max was in pain (cats find a safe spot and lie still when in pain) and easing it was the last act of love you could do for him.

That doesn't make it easier and I feel for your loss.

*hugs Dagney* You were a good mommy to Max.

I'm sorry for your loss.

I hope the all good memories help sooth your pain, thanks for being one of the good pet owners.

Dag, I'm sorry to hear about Max. I'll miss him too. Sorry also for the late notice this post has gotten. I only just now saw it.

Call me if you need a shoulder to cry on.

Brian

Searched the Rainbow bridge as I figured there had to be a thread about pet loss. Well...

As some of you know, my youngest son's best friend was his cat Lucky. She was truly a 3 legged wonder. She was born in this house 19 years ago and was his sole confidant since even before his accident. When he was in his coma she was in his room waiting for him for a month. She came out to eat and do her business - that's about it.

Since then she has been his best friend, in many ways, his only friend. He would sit with her and talk to her for hours. She would sit and listen and let him pet her. She slept in his bed for the first 18 years and only in mine when I decided it was time to contain the damage due to her incontinence and eating issues. Over the last couple weeks, the decline was getting very steep.
On March 28th while I was about an hour from home on business he sent me a text "Dad, there is something wrong with my cat. She isn't moving." I could feel the pain in his text. My heart sank as I realized that the LAST THING I wanted was for this to go down with him home alone. I called my dad (5 mins away) and had him head over to the house. I got there a little later. She was still alive, just very "slow".
She didn't seem too bad the next day, except she really wasn't eating. I snuggled with her that night knowing that tomorrow's trip to the vet was probably going to be her last. She was ready ... we certainly weren't.

We knew the end was near and after 19 years, we had to make the decision no pet parent wants to make. We let Lucky go that afternoon. She lived a long extraordinary life from her birth on the basement stairs, being bottle-fed without a mother to losing a leg at age 4. Dan & I were there for all of it - even at the end as she calmly left this world while I held her paw. It was her time and it was peaceful.
She's with her big sister now, whole again and running free. So fortunate to have been your human. I'll miss cuddling with you on the couch. Sweet dreams my lil oreo cookie. You are already sorely missed. Luv ya old girl.

I've now lost both my girls in 8 months, both at 19. Death sucks for the living. Dan and I made a collage of some of her pics. :sniff:

Sorry, classic.

Sad for you and Dan, classic. X

Sent by thought transference

Well done, old cat, did your job properly. Sorry for your loss classic and Dan.

Sorry dudes.

Damn cats, why do they have to make the end so painful. Condolences to the family she touched and loved her. :(

Awww crap. Sorry man. :(

Ah, Classic, that's so sad. My condolences to you both.

thanks all. She was a good girl & lived an extraordinary life.
Like I said, Death sucks for the living.
I believe she is with her sister now, whole again and running outside in the grass - something she hasn't been able to do as of late. Losing three of them in 8 months has really taken a toll on me. I'm still working on Dan. He forgets and then remembers and its like it just happened all over again. Ugghh

Dang. Got something in my eye...:sniff:


Classic, so sorry to hear this. My condolences to you, Dan, and the family.

thanks, bro.

Didn't realize I needed a good cry to start the day, so, thanks for that.

Like you all, I'm very sad to hear your news. Give my love to your family and take care of yourself too.

Sorry for your loss, Classic.

thanks guys.