Crossing the Rainbow Bridge

Dagney · 10-13-2005, 04:35 PM

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></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.

limey · 10-13-2005, 05:30 PM

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

BigV · 10-13-2005, 07:23 PM

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.

Dagney · 10-13-2005, 07:36 PM

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

eiffelenator · 10-13-2005, 07:49 PM

:T..
my regards

Elspode · 10-13-2005, 07:56 PM

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.

itsjulie · 10-13-2005, 08:39 PM

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!

wolf · 10-14-2005, 12:57 AM

Dag, thanks for giving Max a great life.

feesh13 · 10-14-2005, 01:33 AM

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

xoxoxoBruce · 10-14-2005, 02:18 AM

Shit.

dar512 · 10-14-2005, 09:09 AM

I'm so sorry for you, Dag.

Trilby · 10-14-2005, 09:24 AM

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

so sorry!

barefoot serpent · 10-14-2005, 09:46 AM

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.

Pie · 10-14-2005, 09:46 AM

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.

Silent · 10-15-2005, 11:13 AM

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.

10-13-2005, 04:35 PM	#1
Dagney The Prodigal Brat Returneth Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: North Cackalacky Posts: 1,107	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. __________________ The Constitution gives every American the right to make a total fool out of himself. But that doesn't mean you need to.

10-13-2005, 05:30 PM	#2
limey Encroaching on your decrees Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: An island within the south-west coast of Scotland Posts: 7,016	Pets are precious and their loss leaves a gap which can never be filled. Hugs. __________________ Living it up on the edge ... of civilisation, within the southwest coast of

10-13-2005, 07:23 PM	#3
BigV Goon Squad Leader Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Seattle Posts: 27,063	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. __________________ Be Just and Fear Not.

10-13-2005, 07:36 PM	#4
Dagney The Prodigal Brat Returneth Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: North Cackalacky Posts: 1,107	Yeah, it helps, unfortunately, it feels like that's all I have to share anymore __________________ The Constitution gives every American the right to make a total fool out of himself. But that doesn't mean you need to.

10-13-2005, 07:56 PM	#6
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	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. __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog

10-13-2005, 07:49 PM	#5
eiffelenator Irrelevant Adulterant Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 43	:T.. my regards

10-13-2005, 08:39 PM	#7
itsjulie Vice-President of Resentment Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Connecticut Posts: 190	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! __________________ I like to know stuff!

10-14-2005, 12:57 AM	#8
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	Dag, thanks for giving Max a great life. __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis

10-14-2005, 01:33 AM	#9
feesh13 Romantic Necromancer Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 29	hugs He is feeling better now. Our pets are like our kids too. I hope you are doing ok.

10-14-2005, 02:18 AM	#10
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Shit. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

10-14-2005, 09:09 AM	#11
dar512 dar512 is now Pete Zicato Join Date: May 2003 Location: Chicago suburb Posts: 4,968	I'm so sorry for you, Dag. __________________ "Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain." -- Friedrich Schiller

10-14-2005, 09:24 AM	#12
Trilby Slattern of the Swail Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 15,654	warm, healing thoughts, dag. you did the right thing. be easy with yourself, now. And you can still love Max as much as ever. so sorry! __________________ In Barrie's play and novel, the roles of fairies are brief: they are allies to the Lost Boys, the source of fairy dust and ...They are portrayed as dangerous, whimsical and extremely clever but quite hedonistic. "Shall I give you a kiss?" Peter asked and, jerking an acorn button off his coat, solemnly presented it to her. —James Barrie Wimminfolk they be tricksy. - ZenGum

10-14-2005, 09:46 AM	#13
barefoot serpent go ahead, abbrev. it Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Lawrence, KS Posts: 2,623	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.

10-14-2005, 09:46 AM	#14
Pie Gone and done Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 4,808	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. __________________ per·son \ˈpər-sən\ (noun) - an ephemeral collection of small, irrational decisions The fun thing about evolution (and science in general) is that it happens whether you believe in it or not.

10-15-2005, 11:13 AM	#15
Silent Romanes Eunt Domus Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 702	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.

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