Is this the end?

[Wolfiefan]

Probably about to out myself here.
Wolfiecat is 19. Arthritis and a thyroid condition. Both easily treatable. Recently we've found underfur matting and cat really does NOT want to be groomed. (Think hiss, spit, wetting self.) Still fine. Found a different grooming tool.
Friday. Ok. By today she stinks. Last night she spent shut in the kitchen as her back end was so covered in pooh we couldn't let her in the house (DH spent an hour trying to clean her up.)
Is this the end? Calling the vet tomorrow.

I'm so sorry Wolfie. RIP little one

I'm so sorry.
Utterly heart-breaking.
Be very kind to yourself today

17 years she spent ordering my husband around, pushing him out of bed, demanding only organic roast chicken, enjoying catnip grooming sessions and the highest spot in the house.
We got her when she was two. I wish I could let her original owners know how loved she was and for how long.
I no longer have a pet. I keep looking for her and thinking I've forgotten to give her her morning pills.

I'm so sorry, Wolfie.

There might well have been no clear reason. In my experience, human or pet, it seems sometimes that even a body which has hitherto appeared strong says 'That's enough' so it looks as if it was her time. Helping her to go was a loving thing.

When shall you have to tell the rest of the family?

Thank you so much Cozie.
I've told my DH. My son has known for a long time that she wouldn't go on much longer. I told both the kids this morning she was going to the vet. I told my 5 year old they would try to make the cat better but as she was so old and sick they might not be able to. DD said what happens then. I said the cat would die and we wouldn't have her anymore. That sounds brutal but I knew that DD would never sleep again if I said put to sleep and would never let a needle near her if I mentioned injection. I said we couldn't let our cat keep on hurting if the vet couldn't fix her.
God I sound harsh.
It was a peaceful end to a lovely life. We did the right thing for her.
Fuck I'm going to miss having a cat though!

So sorry Wolfiefan

I have been through this twice in the last 2 years with 2 elderly cats and it is so hard even when they are obviously fading away.

The Blue Cross have a very good leaflet on how to talk to children about a pet dying, sorry I can't link from phone but it is easy to find on their website. They also have a helpline for bereaved pet owners, I very nearly ohoned them once as I was so upset about one of the cats.

I'm sorry. It's so sad. Even after 9 years and many more cats, theres stillone cat I had pts that I still miss so much.

Thanks. Cuddled up with the kids on the sofa and explained. We all had a cry and a cuddle.
Oh God my DD is drawing and she's just said her cat is like the Neverbeast from Tinkerbell (we won't see her again.)
We've had a long chat and they understand why she's not here and it's ok to miss her like mad and have a cry/need a cuddle.
My DH is away. Tonight I will sleep alone. That never happens.

I'm so sorry Wolfie. I'm glad she was so loved, and loved you all back in return.

FWIW, I think your explanation to DCs was anything but brutal. I think children appreciate honesty, rather than ambiguity.

So sorry Wolfie. I lost the love of my life nearly a year ago and the grief is still very strong and hard.

But you gave her a long, loved life and that is a grand thing for anyone xx

Thanks rubbish. I know that my DD (even though she's 5!) wouldn't accept any flannel or waffle. I did however distract her away from the what happens to Puss now. (Not explaining cremation. I'm just not.)
Keep looking out the back door.

So sorry Wolfie

Thanks. She's been on my mind all day. Stupid thing but I put the recycling out tonight and it had the cardboard in from her food. I will never feed her again. Huh! She had no teeth so made such a mess!
Wish I could tell the people who had to give her and her son to the rescue 17 years ago that they were loved and pampered to bits! I'm so grateful they were my cats.

So sorry to hear this

We lost our cat last November; he was 16 and it was very clear when it was the end - he had a tumour behind his eye as well as kidney failure. Unfortunately it happened when I was on holiday (DH had to take him to the vet on his own).

We have new kittens now, who we love to bits, but there will always be a big place in our hearts for the old cat. He was very special.

And just like you - you and your family made a loving home for your cat, and you'll never forget her.

How very sad, I'm so sorry to read this

Wolfie I am so sorry to hear this. our elderly cat (arthritis, bit blind, marginal kidney problems, missing some teeth) had a stroke in the early hours about this time 6 weeks ago today. DH took him to the emergency vet and he was PTS that morning. All mine and my family's emotions since have been very similar to yours.

We told the DC that evening (typically, I had a mtg a couple of hours drive away so was back quite late). Ds (6) sobbed his heart out for a couple of hours. Dd (3) is too young to understand.

We went to the garden centre and chose a plant for his grave, and had a funeral service. As the weeks have gone by we've started to get over it (we also have birds in our gardn for the first time ever). It still feels strange pouring away the end of the children's milk in their cereal bowls though....