Lost our 19 year old tabby today.

[2kidsintow]

He's been on his last legs for a while, so it's no surprise. He'd been on thyroid medication for over a year and was actually only given a few weeks to live back at easter due to a lump they found in his belly.

This week we noticed that one of his back legs was swollen and he was given anti inflammatory meds. The same day we noticed his front leg was swelling. We took him back and asked if it could be his kidneys shutting down. it could be, or it could just be age and poor circulation was the diagnosis. Take him home, carry on with the tablets.

Today Dh calls me (im at our caravan with dd2) to tell me he's waiting til the vets opens to take him again as the cat seems unhappy. Then I got another call to say that although he'd decided to take the cat earlier as an emergency, that when he went to Bruce to collect him from where he was moping in the garden that he'd taken a few laboured breaths and then stopped breathing.

We've had him since he was 6 weeks old, back in 1995. Dd doesn't seem too bothered, but I'm sad.

[picnicbasketcase]

It's always horribly sad to lose a pet, especially one you've had so long.

[cozietoesie]

I'm so sorry, 2kids.

[Blithereens]

Oh no :( I'm so sorry.

[wantacatplease]

You've given him a long and wonderful life.

[2kidsintow]

Thank you.
It's hard to think I won't see him again. Dh will sort out collection by the pet cemetery today and I won't get back from my weekend in the caravan with dd2 til tomorrow.
At least he went naturally. We've been worrying about how we'd know it was time.

[Fluffycloudland77]

Poor you. It's an awful time but you've got the happy memories too.

[StrumpersPlunkett]

Oh I am so sorry you are going through this. It is a significant bereavement Be kind to yourself, it is a real loss.
x x

[MagpieMama]

Sorry for your loss

[valrhona]

Sad news :( - I'm sorry

He was lucky to be happy and loved by you for so long

[2kidsintow]

He's been collected by the cremation service.

We are officially a cat-free household.
I'm washing his bed and blanket (yes, really) and have sorted out who to give all his bits and pieces to.

[StrumpersPlunkett]

Oh 2kids that is so awful for you all.

[RightsaidFreud]

sorry for your loss. Having him for such a long time, it must be very painful. But remember all the happy memories and take your time with your grief. 1995-2014, what a lovely long life for him.

[MedusaIsHavingaBadHairday]

So sorry for your loss, but how lovely that he went at home after a long long life. Be kind to yourselfx

[2kidsintow]

He's home. In his casket. They also handed over a clear keyring containing a bit of his fur which really threw me as I wasn't expecting it.

Very strange without him. He didn't get about much for the last few months, but if you made a move towards the kitchen he'd get up (arthritically) and follow you as he thought a treat might be in order (we hid his tablets in them so he was used to it).

DH keeps talking about him. And looking for him without thinking about it. If he wasn't on his chair then he'd be sat by the pond (which is where he 'went' in the end too.

We nearly went straight around to the MIL's after picking him up at the pet cemetary, but I couldn't. The first thing we did after getting him from the rescue centre 19 years ago was to take him round to MIL's. Too much for me. :(

Thanks again for everyone's lovely replies. It helps to 'talk' about it.

[SecretNutellaFix]

I'm so sorry. No matter what age they are or how they go, it always hurts.

[russiandwarf]

Tears in my eyes. I'm so sorry for your loss
He had a good, long and lovely life and you will always remember him. I keep photos of mine around and we laugh about the silly things they used to do. Sending you a big hug xx

[2kidsintow]

Not the best picture, but...

[Fluffycloudland77]

It's a lovely casket. The key rings a nice touch actually.

Will you get another cat in the future?.

[2kidsintow]

I think so. But we aren't going to rush into it. I waver between wanting another fluffy bundle in the house RIGHT NOW and never having one again as it's very hard to lose them.

We usually go away at Whit and would have to put any cat we had into a cattery (when Bruce got on we got friends to come and cat-sit and check up on him but that wouldn't work with a frisky kitten) so we will be waiting til next June I think, at the soonest.