Goodbye old friend

[Pete]

This is Oscar, my cat of about 15 years old. He's now living with my mother (after a car accident several years ago). He's recently been diagnosed with heart problems and also suffered various complications. Unfortunately, he's very ill now and not long for this world.

I went down today to talk with my mother about him and agreed the very difficult decision that he's not going to last much longer.

This is the last shot I took of him these evening. It's how I want to remember him.

This is Oscar.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a294/peteghia/IMG_3394.jpg

[dewmuw]

Pete, sorry to hear about Oscar. Hope he has a peaceful time of it.

[lakiluno]

I'm sorry to hear about Oscar in such sad circumstances.

Goodbye :(

(see, if you'd posted a picture of an ex-cat, it would be OK, but now you've said that I'm almost crying ;_; )

[Jon]

It's never easy making that call . . . sorry to hear that.

Our Fizgig (http://mysite.verizon.net/jonbarrettphoto/Fizgig.htm)

[calicokat]

Sorry to hear, losing a pet is never easy

[Becca]

I'm sorry to hear about Oscar. He looks like a sweet guy. My thoughts are with you.

[Skrim17]

I'm sorry Pete {{{hugs}}}

[surfologist]

So sorry to hear this Pete. I know losing a pet is one of the worst pains. I lost my yorkie a few weeks ago, and it is still hard. I still cry about it. He was a part of the family.
I made a thread about him, and again would like to thank everyone that gave me support. It really helped.

But Pete, as others told me, just keep your chin up, and remember all of the good memories that Oscar has left you with. He would want you to. He really looks like a sweet kitty. It is nice that you got such a wonderful and peaceful shot of him this evening.

Take care, and i will keep you in my thoughts.

[thomascanty]

Sorry to hear it, Pete. I've been in the same situation myself, too many times. It's never easy.

[Permagrin]

very sorry to hear it Pete. It's just a heartbreaker...

[forsaken]

poor oscar. Its never good when you have to make a decision like that. Just remember the good times.

[GyRob]

feel for you been there .
Rob.

[TeeJay]

:cry: :cry: :cry:
Take strength from your 15 years of memories.

[Pete]

Many thanks guys. I had a long talk with my mother last night and since the vet's said that he's not going to recover from this, that it's probably best to let him go while he's still relatively comfortable rather than let him get to the suffering stage.

He was a wonderful companion for a batchelor lad like me, and I'll really miss him.

[TeeJay]

For anyone who's not had a pet, it's really difficult for them to understand just what it means to loose a pet, but when you've had a companion like a cat or dog, the world simply falls apart overnight when their gone.

In time though, you will take strength from your memories - and maybe, one day, when the time is right - join up with another little chap in which to share life with....

Until then - you've got us :-)

TJ

[weemannie]

So very sorry to hear your sad news. Its never an easy decision to make and shows how much you love him to want to release him from his pain. I know many pet owners who hang on for purely selfish reasons. His passing will leave a huge void in your lives, but he will be at peace.

Thinking of you.

[Monkeymicra]

so sorry ot hear this pete, no wonders you wanted ot get away, i lost a dear cat friend earlier this year. my sympathy to your self and those who knew him

[Pete]

Sadly, Oscar passed away last night. He wasn't eating for a couple of days before and had been getting weaker and weaker. We made the decision that it wasn't worth prolonging events and his suffering by pumping him full of yet more drugs.

Mother spent all day with him yesterday and took him out in the garden to sleep in the light of a glorious sunset last night.

He's left a gap, he was such a character. I just hope that I manage to find some pictures of him in his younger years, I've got a horrible feeling that they've disappeared over the years.

[Belmondo]

Sorry to hear, Pete. My thoughts will be with you and your mother today.

[surfologist]

Sorry to hear... I made a CD with all of the photos af my dog bailey after he died earlier this month. Then i put it in a small fireproof box along with my other photos.

You should do that, then Oscar will never be lost.

[cfpackerfan]

(((((Pete)))))

I'm so sorry. My heart aches for you.

[rhys]

I have had several cats. Most of then died on the road. It'[s always very sad. One in particular accompanied me everywhere. He was always by my side in the garden, on my lap when I watched TV or ate and even slept on my bed at night. I'll never forget him wanting to go out late at night and my not really wanting to let him go out and then finding him dead on the road the next morning. He was such a companion and though he died in 1989 it still brings a lump to my throat and tears to my eyes.

[Billginthekeys]

very sorry Pete. My cat died last spring after 13 years. perfectly healthy and just came down with something one day and died overnight at the vets, they never did figure out why :(. its a hard loss after having a friend for so long.

[steved110]

So sorry Pete, so many of the old ones seem to be taken when the seasons change. As a vet, I often have to help them over, and it is the hardest part of my job. Even when you know it is a kindness, it is the hardest decision, and I have had to make it for my own ones too.
It's balanced by the joy of welcoming a client with a new baby , and I hope that in your future there is another warm hearted furry face waiting to be loved.

All the best.

[ultranet]

Everything will go away....:cry:

[Pete]

Many thanks for all the kind words everyone. And Steve, it must be terribly hard to do something that's counter to your training and instincts. But at least I think I made the decision based on his quality of life and it had nothing to do with the ongoing cost of his treatment (which in itself is an agonising choice to make). Both mother and I recognized that he was at the top of a downward slope into suffering and indignity. I just couldn't bear to see him suffer.

[Airedale1]

Very sorry to hear that Pete. It's a very hard thing to bear. Just remember all the joy Oscar brought you.

[elise1030]

Pete, I'm so very sorry about Oscar. Just know he's in an eternal land of catnip... Hugs for you, Pete.

[Mgdh]

Pete, My thoughts have been with you. I have not had a chance to post in here before due to work and other commitments but I have been thinking of you in this time. I've had both dogs and cats in the household in the past and their passing is a tough time. I know how it feels.

Just be glad for the good times and that you can remember him with his dignity rather than with suffering and pain. I'm sure you made the right decision. Strength to you.

[am_pitbull_terrier]

Man, I'm so sorry to hear that. I know stuff like that isn't easy. I had to put my dog to sleep (he was 14) I still think about him everyday. Hope all goes well for you. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Oscar.

[Aquaman]

God bless