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not a suggestion.

Posted by katekite on June 30, 2002, at 10:16:10

In reply to Please HELP--Phil or others--now my cat is dying, posted by Mandy on June 29, 2002, at 13:36:00

Hi Mandy,

As a vet, I think I know what you're going through, not completely, but in part.

A friend of yours is about to die. A new kitten is not going to help that, not today. No one telling you she is 'just a cat' is going to make her 'just a cat' because she is and always was much more than that. This is no different than losing a human friend. You've known this friend for 20 years and it is not fair that they can't live our lifespan with us, as any other friend would.

I've met people who would pay any amount of money to prolong the life of their cat just a few weeks when it was completely futile. I've had old codgers sob onto my shoulder, men who did not cry. This kind of pain hits everyone who's pet is a real member of their family. Not everyone will understand, but that doesn't matter at all.

I know from experience after experience, that you and your human family members are probably doing the right thing in putting her to sleep. At 20, putting a cat to sleep is never wrong. Euthanasia is the one gift that we can give a cat that we couldn't give a human family member. There are humans who have to languish and die slowly in pain, but thank god, we do not have to let our pets suffer like that. It makes no sense to prolong a life that has managed to go far past the lifespan of most cats, especially when she surely has medical problems.

The other thing I know from experience, is that time really does help. You will never forget her but it will get easier to think of her. You will get another cat when the time is right, and you will know when that is: for some it might be next week, for others a year or more. It is hard to know how long it will take, but at some point you will be able to think of her without crying, will be able to remember the warm companionship she gave without it hurting. The pain will fade but you will never forget her.

It's a heck of a time for this to be happening.

I'm so so sorry you have to go through this, now or any other time.

Kate



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