If so, I had only one wish

Simone_in_Wiltshire

We were so full of hope for the days that gave us a 5 day break from everyday life. The weekend before Christmas, whatever had happened with her when we were just out, but our cat suddenly deteriorated visibly. She was already diagnosed with issues in November, but after a change of the food and new medication, it turned to the better. She is now 14 and you can't expect miracles from a granny.
After she wasn't able to go to the loo for 5 days and refused to drink, we were told on Friday that we would have to put her to sleep by tomorrow. What an awful Christmas message.
Out of pure desperation, she got lots of prawns, which she loves, in water. She had to drink first the water to reach the prawns. We played with her to keep her moving. Seeing how she enjoyed it, there was so much life in her.
On Christmas Eve, I dug a grave opposite where the bird bath is. No, I did not enjoy digging. The garden felt empty and had lost all magic. Since she lives with us, we have always been together in the garden. She has always loved it when I dig and plant.
We drove her daily in the car which normally always relieves her. On Christmas Day at 6 in the morning, we drove for an hour in a circle in our 20 mile zone with speed bumps every 20 meters.
With each drive, a little bit worked its way out. Yesterday, she made the first own poo in the garden. It was a real Christmas present, we were so happy.
I stood in the garden, and said, please, please, make it to Spring time. I want to show you the new garden when I will have planted the wild-life plants. I want that you see the bees and birds and have your nap under the herb trog as you always have done.



Sorry for being sentimental, but she means a lot to me. Sounds silly, I know, but it is what it is.

Victoria Sponge

It isn't silly. Best wishes to you

CatDouch

Fingers crossed for your beautiful cat and for you @Simone_in_Wiltshire 🙏 Pets give us unlimited joy and love and the world would be a much poorer place without them.

didyw

My heart goes out to you @Simone_in_Wiltshire.  Our 15 yr old cat was poorly and we took her to the vet.  I expected the vet to say we should have her put to sleep but he just kept her in for a couple of days (can't remember what treatment) and we then brought her home.  I was pleased as my Mum was terminally ill at the time and I remember just looking at poor Sophie, still poorly, and feeling sad that I could do nothing for her as I packed up ready to spend Mum's last few days with her.  Dear Sophie hung on for a while longer before we made that final fateful trip to the vets.  We took ourselves off to the coast afterwards and just howled at the sea.  Looking back, it would have been kinder to the cat to have made the dreadful decision at her first vet visit.

CrankyYankee

My cat is 16 and has been with me through so much, I can't imagine my life without her.  I know exactly how you feel, @Simone_in_Wiltshire - I just want her to have the best for as long as she is here.  I hope your beautiful cat has a few more naps in the garden in store. 

Simone_in_Wiltshire

Thanks for all your support. We will see what the doctor says tomorrow. Yes, @didyw , that's what I said to the doctor, I made the mistake with my first cat 14 years ago that I waited too long. I will not do it again. Thanks goodness, we found a good doctor who understood what I meant to say.

LunarSea

I know exactly how you feel Simone. We've said goodbye to several cats and it's always been painful. Murphy, our current cat, makes home home. We always look forward to coming back to him if we've been out, and especially when we return from our hols. I'm going to be a complete mess when it's his time.

philippasmith2

It's always hard - you just have to try and remember that your pet can't make that final decision - only you can do that.  Doesn't always help but you have the final say and you do what's best. Best wishes anyway.      

raisingirl

Better a week to soon than a day too late. And yet. Our dog had a crisis this time last year. The vet managed to get her heart and lungs clear of fluid, sent her home and told us to spoil her and that we'd probably not have her a month. She died in August - 8 months later, having had many more days of sitting in the sunshine. I hope your cat is also able to beat the odds for a few more weeks, at least.

Joyce Goldenlily

The joy and heart break of owning pets.
I always feel I have to put the pet first, what is in their best interest. When we keep pets going because we cannot face losing them we are being selfish. Most of us have done it at some time and regretted it later.
I have a cat who is 16 years old and a dog who is 12. They have both just had their annual vaccinations and checkups. Both were given clean bills of health and both doing extremely well for their ages. I take each day as a bonus now because I know from past experience how suddenly things can change. 
It is heartbreaking to lose a long-time companion, but we have to remember the fun, laughter, love, and friendship they have shared with us. It was 25 years before I could face replacing my last much-loved dog Meg, she was 17 when we had to part company. It was years before I stopped thinking a moving shadow was her coming to join me in the garden or meet me at the door, suddenly thinking when out and about, OOH! Must get back home for the dog. etc.
I know the saying "time heals" but sometimes, time moves excruciatingly slowly!
Enjoy your feline friend for however long you may have and when the eventual Goodbye time comes, be brave for her.

BenCotto

A couple of the more extreme posters on cat deterrent threads might get perspective from reading this thread. We lost our cat Rollo in February and still miss him terribly, as does his daughter Millie who, since the death, yowls without seeming reason. She must be missing him too.