Our little grey stray, Stella (aka Grey Thing or Misery Guts - because she was) sadly had to be pts this morning. She came into our lives a couple of years ago. We saw her first, marching steadfastly along the lane from the A40, and in the way of cats, she kept turning left, and eventually found us. A pretty cat - grey with a white bit, tummy and paws and hints of a tabby in her ancestry. We thought that the grey tom who had been this way (and sired the boys) had been her dad, but with the benefit of hindsight (she was almost certainly much older than we thought, in her teens) she was more likely his mum or (g.g.g.) granny.
Anyway, she wasn't comfortable around the other cats, and swore and hissed a lot, and was not a happy cat. She only purred a few times whilst she was with us, and liked to sleep on the dresser, away from the others. She had been spayed, and knew all about cat flaps.
Over the winter she was even more scowling and unhappy, and just came in to eat and then went out over to the farm the rest of the time. About two months ago she suddenly lost a lot of weight, and wasn't eating much. When the weather improved, she disappeared altogether, although there were occasional sightings of her down by the bridge. But she never came back to us.
On Monday, Next Door's tractor driver said that he had seen a grey cat which he thought was ours, by the Chapel, staggering around and looking very ill. I went down with the cat box and found her patiently sitting (hunting) at the roadside. She was in a bad way though. We took her to the vet, who said her kidneys were very enlarged but without blood tests, they couldn't offer medication. We couldn't go down that route, as we were pretty certain she wasn't going to stay around with us to HAVE any medication. Anyway, we brought her home and for 24 hours she ate and perked up. Then yesterday her kidneys had gone into overdrive, and the litter box had the evidence, and then we found her in her bed, with the paper saturated too, so she was incontinent. Then she stopped eating, and we had a discussion with the vet, and took her down this morning to be pts. I am sad that she had gone, but there was no real alternative, and I think her illness made her so defensive and unhappy to be around other cats. We offered her shelter, food and love while she was with us, and compassion at the end.
You did the best thing for Stella, God rest her. I know how you feel.
ReplyDeleteYes I agree with Cait, you could not have done any more and in the end you offered her the kindest way to say goodbye. Of course you will miss her, she was part of your life for a long time.
ReplyDeleteAs you know, my heart aches for anyone--anywhere--anytime--in this situation. It is surely the downside of caring for animals and welcoming them into our lives. You gave her all you could and made her span of years much more comfortable than they might otherwise have been.
ReplyDeleteAs everyone has said, you do and did the best care in her interest, made her comfortable and a life, what more can anyone ask of you.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry, and you know how I feel about things like this. My heart goes out to you. May she rest in peace, and go over the Rainbow bridge and be healed.
Hugs my friend
Thank you all. I think the worst part is feeling like an executioner, making that hard choice for her, and every time you lose a cat (or any pet) you remember all the others who have gone before . . . I know we did the right thing, but gosh, it is so difficult.
ReplyDeleteBe blessed for you gave love & nurture to one of God's creatures. She's at peace and you can cherish memories of her.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to hear this. Just remember it was the right choice for her, you wouldn't want her running off and suffering a painful death.
ReplyDeleteShe was a very pretty cat,
cheers, parsnip
Thank you my friends. It is never easy.
ReplyDeleteMy heart reaches out to yours, BB, this is such a sad time. Hugs are coming over the water to you.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear the sad news - its a dreadful decision to have to make. But you did the right thing and saved her suffering and gave her lots of love whilst she was with you.
ReplyDeleteIt is so often the way with cats isn't it BB? We took three stray cats from a cat rescue some years ago. They were called Ernest, Onyx and Madeira. Within a short time Onyx jumped in the back of an open van here in the yard and they didn't see her. The van drove about thirty miles to its next stop and when they opened the back door Onyx jumped out and we never saw her again. Madeira disappeared after about three years. Ernest, a tabby, lived to a ripe old age and became quite friendly for a farm cat. When he was ready to die he crawled under the shed and died, within the space of two hours. We called the vet but by the time she got here it was too late. Cats are so much their own people. Commiserations.
ReplyDeleteSad news, but you did what is best for her. I always went in with my numerous pets, and held their paws, it is a peaceful way the vet's needle and there is no trauma for the animal, we just have to live with the hole in our life afterwards....
ReplyDeleteSo sorry Jennie; definitely the right decision though. I hate seeing people keep animals going because they can't bear to be without them, however much pain they're in. RIP indeed with no more suffering. x
ReplyDeleteHi BB [hugs] at least she is not suffering and lived her way she wanted to and got comfort at the end. They always tell us when they are ready and often slip away in their own time and own space Trouble is those little paws always wrap themselves so firmly round one's heart. Cats know where and when they are loved and who are cat people and who are not. Take care and so sorry.
ReplyDeletePattypan
x
And she gave what she could in return. That way you both benefited. That's all you can ask for.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear she's gone BB. X