How do you prepare yourself to say goodbye?

[Fontainebleau007]

Feeling very emotional today. My cat is 17 and has gone down hill slightly the last few months due to arthritis but otherwise well in herself. Today was an emergency vet trip after there was blood in her urine. They want to do an ultrasound and blood tests and even mentioned the word "tumour"
I'm such a mess. I have had her since I was a teenager and couldn't imagine her not being here.
Even if she is ok for now, I know the end will be edging closer and closer anyway. How do you prepare for the loss? I can't even think about it without crying. I'll be devastated. I love her so much 😢

With my old boy I had not much warning as our vets missed a massive tumour. He had been on a drip all day, then we had to go to overnight hospital. They found the tumour in two mins and said no alternative to pts. Because he was old and sick I suppose I had mentally prepared myself, so I put my own thoughts aside and concentrated on him having the best death possible. He was on my knee being stroked and having an ear scritch. I spoke to him calmly and thanked him for being my friend and told him he was loved and a good boy. He had no fear or pain and it was very peaceful, be warned the eyes stay open. I held my tears in until he was gone.
Filling up now remembering, but proud that he had a good end of life.
It will be painful, whenever it comes, but time does heal and I know he had a very happy life. I know you will eventually find such comfort. So hard for you children, but a good lesson for them on love and loss.

@SparklesandRainbows lots of love to you.

Whatever happens, one of the ways I console myself is that it’s truly the kindest and best thing that we as owners outlive our beloved pets. The alternative is just utterly unbearable. Can you tell I’ve had a lot of rescue cats and dogs over my years? Mostly cats though. Bloody love cats x

@Mumsgirls oh no that's heartbreaking to read 😢 thank you so much for sharing. I have no doubt you gave him an amazing life 💕x

@Snooks1971 aw that's amazing! I would love to rescue animals too one day. That's my goal hopefully. When the times right 💞 We couldn't get any other pets over the years as my cat doesn't like other animals. She's definitely the boss here 😂x

@buffyspikefaith

crying reading that🥲Big Hugsx

@SparklesandRainbows

sorry, I'm not going to be any help. Just lots of hugs xx& try to enjoy the time you do have (and don't leave it too late!)

@AutumnLeaves24 thank you so much. 100%!! 🤍xx

@SparklesandRainbows oh yes the time has to be right, for the animals and your family too! You will know when the time is right.

Aww sending you so much love. Our cat passed on Sunday. 💔💔🐱
we got him as an older cat from a rescue and no one really knew what age he was and I think he was older than we thought, which was a shock.

He was loosing weight, high BP and we just knew he wasn’t right but the vets couldn’t find anything wrong, we spent £3K above insurance on extra scans, loads of tests but nothing could be found.

then he had a couple of days off his food then his back legs went. We were waiting for the vet when he passed with us all stroking and around him. I now feel awful reading above about better a day early then a day too late but he just didn’t seem too unwell.

He changed my life and I’m so greatful for him. It’s been tough and the house feels so empty.

Lots of love, cats are the best

I lost my cat on 27th September. He was 15 but we got him from a rescue 3 years ago.
He went downhill over a six week period and the vet felt it was most likely an abdominal tumour.
I'll never be the same again - I really miss him.

@Debtfreeme oh goodness sending you so much love, I'm so sorry to read that 😢 we will always be grateful for them for sure ❣️x

@loopsaloo sending so much love 😢❤️ I'm sure you gave him 3 wonderful years! So sorry 😔x

Our darling girl slipped away on Thursday. I’d had her for over 16 years. It was really peaceful, and at her age not unexpected but it’s still a shock. They are in the fabric of our lives and everything feels different. But she’s been such a gift and I’ll be forever grateful for her

I also agree that the waiting is the absolute worse my girl will be 18 at Xmas and I've had since she was 10 weeks old and she starting to go down hill slowly and it worries me every day.
Lost my 16 year old boy last may due to a heart problem. Having pet is one of the best things in life but losing my boy last year almost broke me.

So sorry for your loss @Cannedheat1999 There are no words to ease the pain. We are lucky to have our pets for so long but it hurts so much when that time ends x

My girl has had a good day today. She’s still hiding away a lot but she’s eating and drinking well. And came for cuddles on my lap for a short time. So I’m treasuring the good days and hoping there are more ahead x

@Daydreamer2017 oh how lovely, yes sounds like there are more treasured days ahead 💕

@Cannedheat1999 so sorry for your loss 😢xx

@Daydreamer2017 aw that's fantastic bless her❣️x

Just thought I would update. Her urine sample came back clear and her kidneys are working fine. The vet reckons she has inflammation somewhere. She was absolutely fine all day peeing and pooping as normal but then this evening she was in and out the tray over 30 times in two hours straining to pee with more blood. Spoke to the vet who says at this stage, it could be anything including cancer. Just keep an eye on her, keep giving her medication and get her booked in for the tests as soon as. This was an hour ago and since then she's been up on the sofa having cuddles fast asleep. 💜X

Thanks for your update @SparklesandRainbows I hope your girl has had a good day today. And I hope you get some more clarity soon from the tests.

My girl has been okish today but has stopped drinking water. She is happily eating and drinking water that I add to her food. But for some reason she won’t touch her usual water bowls. She usually drinks loads and pees loads! But she’s only peed twice today. She’s eaten alot which is good. No cuddles from her today :( She’s stayed in her cat bed all day apart from to eat and pee.

She still has some blood in her urine so the antibiotics didn’t help.

Hoping for a brighter day with her tomorrow.

@Daydreamer2017 thank you! We've actually had a much better day today no blood and she's not been straining in the litter tray. I'm hoping the medicine is working. Fingers crossed 🤞🏼

Oh no, bless her heart 😣❤️ hopefully tomorrow is a better day keep us updated x

@SparklesandRainbows so glad to hear your girl has had a good day :)

Hope I can post a good update tomorrow x

@Daydreamer2017 I have my fingers and toes crossed for you and her 💖x

@SparklesandRainbows glad your DCat had a good day and hoping @Daydreamer2017 your DCat has a better day.

DCat had her monthly vet appointment yesterday for her arthritis jab. I had a chat with her about concerns around when to make the right decision and she was very reassuring. She asked how DCat was spending her days and what her appetite was like and then said “she’s not ready to go yet”, which made me a bit teary but relieved that we weren’t putting things off for our benefit rather than hers.

@CaveMum aww that's good news at least you have some more time with her 💞🥰