About half an hour ago I said my last farewell to my beloved little buddy Iggy. At 21 years and 3 months of age she lived a good, long and very spoiled life. Recent months saw her health declining with hyperthyroid issues and arthritis limiting her mobility. Last night she was having trouble supporting herself and after consulting with the vet I made the toughest decision I've made in a very long time. Rather than prolong her discomfort I opted to let her pass while she still had her dignity. A trooper to the very end, she went out in peace, loved beyond measure. I'd like to say thank you to the kind and gentle souls at the St. Francis Animal Clinic for helping us through this difficult passage. I was unable to properly thank them at the time as I was having trouble holding myself together enough to keep from sobbing my way out the door. I still feel as though I betrayed her trust but deep down I know that what weeks more she might have had would have been weeks of suffering.
Good bye you little bugger, I love you like crazy. And now I'm going to go and hide for a while.
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It's a horrible feeling. Even though you know it's the right thing to do for your friend, it still doesn't make it any easier.
I'm sorry.
Sorry for your loss. I had to do the same thing last year for my dog. I'm crying just thinking about it.
Today is his 11th birthday. Thanks for the memories :)
I gave my Dinah peace a month ago - the worst day of my life this year (every year has it's own worst day). It was the right thing to do. Keeping them alive when they are in pain, or senile, or both is no gift to them - it's selfish. You have done a very painful, but very kind act. If you stayed with Iggy until the end, as I did with Dinah, it was at the same time, horrific, yet calming. In my case, Dinah was at peace and out of pain.
My best wishes for a speedy recovery Lindsay. You will still experience weepy points for awhile - because how do you say goodbye to a best friend after so many years without the resultant sorrow. This too will pass, and leave you with memories of all the good times.
Back to lurking.
thanks so much for the kind thoughts everyone. love and loss are beyond ideology or politics. your kindness is appreciated.
Oh no! I knew this day was coming but I'm still so very sorry to see it arrive.
Poor Iggy and poor, poor ape cub.
Hugs and nothing but,
Me
I had to do the same a week ago. I wasn't as strong as you about it; I did cry my way out the door, and pretty much everywhere else for the next few days.
It's terrible to lose a friend. As you know, this happened to me recently, so I have a good idea how you're feeling. My thoughts are with you.
Awww, so sorry for your loss. It's the worst decision we ever have to make, but it's our duty not to let them suffer... the last act of love we do for them.
We should all be so lucky, to live a good long life and then be peacefully released before becoming too decrepit.
((hugs))
and thanks the more. thought of you today dawg, knowing you'd know. amazing how these creatures take such potent residence in our hearts and lives. i suppose the price of unconditional love (besides regular food, water and affection) is the knowledge of grief. they live so brightly and that spark is all too brief.
I'm sorry to read of Iggy's passing.
You didn't betray her trust. Having had this experience with my own beloved friends, I have to say that I think they know exactly what's coming when they go in that last time. All of my 4-legged mates died in my arms, knowing that it was for the best.
In a fairer society, that's what I'd like for me.
Gah. Such a hard thing to do. Best thoughts to you Lindsay.
I'm so sorry, Lindsay. Dawg's right, you didn't betray her trust, although having faced the same thing, I know it feels that way.
She trusted you to care for her for over 21 years, and in her final life's task - which is to die, you were very caring and saw to it she was able to go with as little suffering and as much dignity as possible. I can only hope some human is as compassionate to me when my time comes.
Twenty-one years! You must have some wicked tales!
So sorry to hear of your loss, Lindsay. I know this feeling well. :(
21 years?! you must have done right by her, then. even at the end.
i know somebody with a whole brood of kittehs.
KEvron
I'm sorry about your loss, PSA.
thanks again everyone. i'll be back to snippy petulance shortly.
I'm so sorry for your loss.
So very sorry. It is very tough, I know.
Been there. Too often it seems. It never changes I feel for you. It is awful. But it is what it is: you did the best you could do, for the pet, NOT for you. If anything, that is what makes us human. Yeah, it hurts. Whoa, does it hurt. But, what little comfort it is, it is what we can do: relieving suffering is a uniquely human property. But, sheesh, it just feels like hell.
The pain I know all too well.
But you spared her so much more.
She lived a good long life, and she went to sleep in your arms.
Now you've gone and made me cry! The best cure for this grief is time and another cat. RIP Iggy.
I am so sorry for your loss.
I just wanted to say to you that you didn't betray her trust. Not in the least. Each of us should be as blessed as Iggy, with someone who loves us and will, when "push-comes-to-shove", love us enough to let us go with dignity and in peace.
I am so very sorry for the loss of your beloved Iggy.
love is a four-legged word
I'm so sorry for your loss. :(
Wow, 21 years! That is an amazing lifespan for a cat. The only reason that a cat would live to such a grand age is because of how much care and love her owner and friend gave her.
I am so very sorry. Words can't do justice, but perhaps you could share a favourite story or two when you get around to it.
John
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