We had to let our cat go tonight...

[WillParkinson]

It was time. She was eighteen, and about two weeks ago she stopped eating. We took her to the vet, and they told us she had pancreatitis. They gave her some meds, but it didn't change anything. We took her back, and the other vet upped the dose and gave us something to stimulate her appetite. Still didn't help.

So tonight we said our good byes to Star, our beautiful black cat with the tiny white spot on her chest that was given up to the Humane Society because her owner got sick and could no longer care for her.

She had a good, long and hopefully happy, life. But I'm still going to miss her coming into the living room at two in the morning, hopping up on my lap, and rubbing faces with me until I sneezed.

[still_one]

1. so sorry for your loss.

[KelleyD]

2. So sorry, I went through this a month ago...it hurts but they just went to sleep peacefully.

[niyad]

7. so very sorry for your loss.

[dhill926]

3. been thru it too many times...

never easy. But it sounds like she had a great life with great humans....it's all you can do...

[sinkingfeeling]

4. Very sorry for your loss. She will always be with you in your heart.

[megahertz]

5. Aw, sorry to hear it. Been there. Sounds like she was lucky to have you folks.

[niyad]

6. Lady Bast, take Star gently home, and give peace and comfort to her beloved humans.

my heart aches for you in this great loss. as someone once said, "cats leave pawprints on our hearts" how wonderful, that you got to find each other.

[2naSalit]

8. ...

[sarae]

9. I'm so sorry to hear about your cat.

It's one of the hardest things to do; they become a part of your family. Wishing you well while you go through this.

[OhZone]

10. Aw so sad.

I've had to put a couple to sleep. It's always heartbreaking. I'm glad you gave her a great life.

[riversedge]

11. thanks for sharing. lovely and calming actually. Peace.

[FuzzyRabbit]

12. So sorry. I'm crying with you right now.

It's always so hard to say goodbye to our warm, furry, loving companions.

[cate94]

13. so sorry

[teenagebambam]

14. So sorry.

DH and I lost our beagle a month ago. She is still there at 2 am

[MrsKirkley]

15. Condolences

Sorry for your loss

[Maraya1969]

16. I am sorry for your loss. You were a good parent to her.

[skylucy]

17. Bless you for helping her cross the Rainbow Bridge gently. It is painful for you, but

if only all pets had families who cared for them as you obviously cared for Star.

[ryan_cats]

18. I am sorry for you loss

I am sorry for the loss of your little kitty. We bond with them and it is an amazing thing and if you did not feel pain at her loss, you would not be human.

Last cat I had to put down, left me so crushed and I am almost emotionless normally. She kept invading my dreams and I still feel I let her down so bad although I did everything I could.

Be thankful that you are worthy of such trust; some are not.

[shenmue]

19. Peace

[EV_Ares]

20. Will, sorry for your loss but really sounds like Star had a good life & yes, you will miss her but

you will always have those memories of you & Star at 2:00 in the morning.

[rusty quoin]

21. Just over 10 years I had to do the same to Smokey, for a different reason.

We have 4 cats now all with differenent personalities. They are all happy, and it is a joy having them here. But I will always remember Smokey. She was so sweet. Tears...I'm sorry for your loss.

[hibbing]

22. Sorry for your loss

[Moostache]

23. Thank you for giving her a good life.

I'm sorry for your loss, and I have been there myself too often.

[nolabear]

24. Cross easy, Star.

[williesgirl]

25. So sad to lose her, but remember the happiness you brought each other.

[JeaneRaye]

26. I get where you're coming from....

I've had 4 cats in my adult life. I just had my last cat, Mollie, put down this past spring.... she was 19 years old. My first cat was 18 years old when I let him go. The other two didn't last as long, one had health issues from the get-go and she lived only 14 years and another cat that I adopted just disappeared.... I think coyotes may have gotten her. I am very sad for your loss. Cats are such wonderful creatures.

[63splitwindow]

27. ...

[The Wizard]

28. All of my cats

have merged with the Universe, and all made me a better human. Condolences.

[greatlaurel]

29. Please accept my condolences for your loss.

It is never easy to go through this. Please take care.

[retrowire]

30. thank you star for the love!!! nt

[spooky3]

31. Condolences to you.

[Generic Brad]

32. We have to do the same tomorrow night

You have my deepest condolences. I completely understand the emotions you have to be going through.

[tblue37]

33. My cats live to 18 or 19, too, and as the time comes, they stop eating as well.

It is so hard to let them go--to know when to let them go. If they still seem to be enjoying life, you don't want to cut it short, but they don't necessarily let us know if they are in pain, either. It does seem, though, that when they get old and they just stop eating altogether, that is one of the signs that they are ready.

Still, it is so hard to let go of someone you love so much. I always have cats--I have 4 right now, the youngest 3 1/2 and the oldest 11 3/4--so I certainly understand how sad you must be right now. I am sorry for your loss.

Do you have other cats? I have always been amazed at the way a new cat or kitten always enters my life (always without my looking for a replacement!) soon after one has left me. Sometimes it is a feral stray who begins to follow me around; once a friend's young cat got out just before she had saved up enough money to get her neutered, and I ended up adopting one of her kittens; once one of my older cats brought home a 6-month-old feral kitten we'd seen around the neighborhood with his mother, who had been hit by a car just before Luke adopted her kitten and brought him home; once I adopted a 2-year-old cat from my neighbors, who decided they didn't like her that much any more, and then a couple of years later I also adopted their other cat, a sweet 10-year-old named Gabby, because they were moving and planned to dump her at the shelter (where a cat that old would not have much chance of being adopted).

Only once did I actively seek to replace a cat who had died. When Gabby died at age 19, Lila, the other cat I had adopted from the same family, was so lonely that I couldn't bear to leave the house since she would be all alone when I did--at the time I'd had just the two cats until Gabby died. I adopted an 8 1/2-month old kitten from a rescue society to keep Lila company. That was 11 years ago, and that little girl kitty is the oldest of the 4 cats I have now.

The reason I don't usually go looking for a new cat is simply that except for that one time, a new cat or kitten always ends up finding me after I have lost one. I like to imagine that the cat I have just lost has sent another cat to help soothe my grief over his or her passing. One of my sisters likes to imagine the same thing, because every time she loses a cat, another one appears, almost like magic, without her having to go looking for one.

I hope your Star sends you another kitty to love soon.

[alittlelark]

34. So hard to lose a fur baby.....

So sorry....

[KT2000]

35. I'm so sorry - it is so hard

to do. You have my sympathy. Peace to you.

[Behind the Aegis]

36. So sorry for your loss.

Losing our pets is never easy and leaves a hole in our lives. But, we have their little paw prints all over our hearts.

[gwheezie]

37. I'm very sorry for your loss

One thing I figured out after decades of living with cats and dogs. A dog will tell you it's sick, it will put on a dramatic performance that you can't avoid. They yell at you, damn it I don't feel good and what are you going to do about it. A cat doesn't want to bother you so hides it. You say to your cat, you feeling ok, ya look a little sick. Cat says what this, it's nothing. When they let you know many times its to say good by. I'm not saying it's too late to try, and I try everytime but when they don't want to eat they are real sick. You tried and you did the right thing.

[Liberal_in_LA]

38. ....

[left-of-center2012]

39. Been there

My ex and I got a 'brother' and 'sister' (?) from the same litter and they lived 14 years.
They were family to us and we loved them very much, but when they become that old and sick,
we had to put them down.
No connection (?) but, our relationship ended the following year.

[SusanCalvin]

40. I'm so sorry for your loss.

[Call Me Wesley]

41. Safe passage to Star.

May she be free from suffering. Peace and comfort to you and yours, Will.