Stray cat to be put to sleep tomorrow

[tfif]

I just need to get some comfort somehow. I’ve been feeding a stray cat for well over 12 years. She’s really ill now, she had flu a while ago and I took her to the vets. She got some antibiotics and seemed to perk up but she’s gone downhill rapidly. I’ve made the appointment for 10.00am tomorrow (Monday) and I’m certain she’ll have to be put to sleep. She’s old, she was fully grown when she turned up. I know she’s had as good a life as possible but I’ll miss her so much. I just feel so guilty and responsible. I’m dreading tomorrow, been in tears all day. I can’t let her suffer but it’s just so awful. She had 4 kittens years ago, I managed to trap 2 of them and Cats Protection took them in. I couldn’t trap the other 2 but eventually got all 3 of them spayed. They lived outside in little shelters and had 3 meals a day. One of her daughters got cancer and she had to be put to sleep 2 years ago. I’m just so sad for her.

So sorry to read this, but you have done so much for her and her babies. Imagine if they hadn’t had your kindness. Having an animal pts is heart breaking, but also the ultimate kindness for one who is suffering 🤍

Oh love, I am so sorry for you.

How very lucky your dear cat was to find you. She and her little family have had the best care any cat could want or need.

You are of course absolutely right not to let her suffer and have nothing at all to feel guilty about. Please take comfort in knowing that you have given your girl and her kittens the best love right up to the very end.

I'll be thinking of you tomorrow. Take care of yourself.

I’m sorry and I hope tomorrow is as gentle as possible.

Cats leave a paw print on our hearts. I will too be thinking of you tomorrow OP.

She’s gone. I stayed with her. Thanks so much for the lovely messages that have been sent. It’s really appreciated.

Thank you for looking after her. It’s heartbreaking having a cat PTS. ❤️

Thank you, it means so much that people understand.

You did such a kind thing for her. We had to have our lovely girl pts with cancer last year aged ten and while it was absolutely awful (she was my biggest heartbreak) I am so grateful we were able to give her a gentle, graceful goodbye.

I feel bad for some reason. I know it was time, the vet said so but I just can’t convince myself that I did the right thing. It’s not even as if she was a house cat, sitting on my knee, i just fed her and made sure she had somewhere warm and dry to sleep. I’ve just got her daughter left now. I thought that getting older would make me a bit tougher but no such luck! It’s hard when you care isn’t it.

I’m so sorry. I know the pain of a dearly loved animals passing. How lucky she was to find her way to you. This stranger on the internet thinks you’re a wonderful human being to show such love and kindness. I hope her daughter continues to visit and continues your connection to her mum.

Ahh so sorry.

Over the rainbow bridge sweet kitty. Just know you've given her a lovely life. 12 is a good age.

She and her babies are so lucky to you have you. Last year I took in a stray from someone in a nearby town who couldn't take him in but did feed him and once he was inside and we could see him all the time as opposed to him just turning up for food, it was blatantly obvious he was quite poorly. Suspected FIV but due to costs involved (which I felt incredibly guilty about!) didn't pursue diagnoses and treatment for his many ailments. Other lady had got him to the vet and neutered and ear infection treated but it just wouldn't go away. He should have been PTS months earlier but no one knew how ill he was. 😭 It's the kindest thing, to have a respectful and timely death. ❤️‍🩹

So hard. We chose to let our girl go when she was still bright and happy and eating and purring and running about like a mad thing - we didn’t want to have her get sad and thin and suffer, because it was only going one way. Did I feel guilty? Yes, absolutely. I also know my partner would have pursued chemo to prolong her life for a short time if he had been on his own without me, which made me feel worse. Honestly though, I am proud we did the hard thing - I loved her so much I couldn’t stand the thought of her suffering in any way. I think you should be proud of yourself too. 🤍

Thank you for your love and kindness for her. It will have made all the difference to her life

Thank you. It’s so hard isn’t? She was really ill so I know it was the kindest thing. The process is awful. I made the appointment knowing what was going to happen and then getting her into the basket, driving down to the vets and then the inevitable. Thank you for your kind words, it means so much.

Thanks. It’s so nice to get messages from people showing kindness. It means so much.

You did the kindest thing possible. This is no time of year for an ill cat to be living outdoors.

i hope you are able to give her daughter as good a life.

Oh I am so sorry . I recently had a cat PTS and it is really hard , but the kindest thing we can do for them .
you loved her and gave her a good life . That was a very good age to get to as an outdoor cat .
Our cat had been poorly for a while , but still had a good quality of life . I take comfort and hope you will too , that they had the full summer to explore outside and soak up the warm sun .
take care xx

I’m so sorry. Your kindness made a huge difference to this cat’s life. I hope that knowledge will be a comfort in the days to come.

But she was your friend and it’s natural to grieve at losing her even when you know you were sparing her suffering.

Be kind to yourself.

Give her some extra special treats. She really is going to a better place and it's the right thing to do. Winter is setting in and it's such a hard life for these poor animals.

What a wonderful lady you are.

Sorry, have just read that she's gone.

What a wonderful person you are. You've given her a lovely life and you are saving her from suffering, which is more than can be said for so many strays. Big hug

I’m worried about her daughter now! She keeps looking at the shelter where she used to sleep with her mum. It looks like she’s waiting for her to come out and eat. I sometimes think I’m my own worst enemy, I just keep going over yesterday morning. I just hope she wasn’t too frightened. I just miss her. She’d rub around my legs, she was so lovely.